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Dr Andrew Leigh MP answers 19 audience questions on Australian politics, productivity, tax reform, housing, artificial intelligence and the cost of living. In this full-length Pub Politics interview, Reddit users put questions to the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury.
Could productivity gains mean higher wages or a four-day working week? Would changing the GST help households? Can AI improve jobs without replacing workers? Leigh discusses these questions alongside consumer rights, competition reform, Canberra infrastructure and his personal favourites.
Explore all 19 questions and interview segments:
00:48 RIGHT TO DISCONNECT – Does switching off after work help or hurt productivity? Leigh discusses employee engagement, taking breaks and how he handles after-hours emails to his staff.
02:27 A 15% GST AND ANNUAL REBATE – A question about Kate Chaney’s proposed GST changes, compensation for households and exemptions for fresh food, healthcare and education.
05:06 HOW TO FIX AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTIVITY – Andrew Leigh outlines his three priorities: individuals, infrastructure and institutions, including education, broadband, transport and non-compete reform.
06:24 CANBERRA’S NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE – The case for a new convention centre, feasibility work and potential benefits for tourism, conferences and the ACT economy.
07:24 HIGHER GST ON BIG PURCHASES – Could a differential GST target expensive purchases? The discussion covers transaction thresholds, luxury purchases and the problem of splitting purchases.
08:54 TAX RELIEF FOR WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESS – Questions about the tax-free threshold, investment tax changes, an earned-income tax offset and the instant asset write-off.
09:55 ONLINE MARKETPLACES AND CONSUMER RIGHTS – Who takes responsibility for third-party sellers? Refunds, dispute processes, consumer guarantees and protections for online shoppers.
12:16 HOW GST IS SHARED BETWEEN STATES – Why GST distribution reflects different state incomes, population spread and service costs, with discussion of fiscal equalisation and Western Australia.
14:06 HOUSING DENSITY AND BETTER CITIES – How more homes near public transport could support affordability, productivity, walkable neighbourhoods and shorter commutes.
17:08 CUTTING RED TAPE – Reducing reporting requirements and streamlining processes for businesses, charities and not-for-profits.
18:37 EVIDENCE-BASED GOVERNMENT – Randomised trials, the Australian Centre for Evaluation and testing whether public policies and services actually work.
20:18 PRODUCTIVITY, REAL WAGES AND FAIR BARGAINING – How workers can share in productivity gains through bargaining, job mobility, workplace innovation and practical AI tools.
21:53 CANNABIS LAW REFORM – Andrew Leigh responds to a question about federal reform and the responsibilities of states and territories.
22:56 AI: HELPING WORKERS OR REPLACING THEM? – The opportunities and displacement risks of artificial intelligence, including examples from radiology and legal document review.
24:56 MERGER REFORM AND MARKET CONCENTRATION – ACCC scrutiny, competition in supermarkets, banking and aviation, and when mergers should be approved or blocked.
27:01 A FOUR-DAY WORKING WEEK – Could productivity support fewer working hours without lower pay? Enterprise bargaining, household choices and the trade-off between income and leisure.
29:04 IS AI A PRODUCTIVITY SILVER BULLET? – Why education, mechanisation, international trade and competition also matter for Australia’s economic future.
30:43 MOVEMBER AND CHARITY FUNDRAISING – Push-up challenges, the CEO Sleepout, triathlons and why Leigh draws the line at growing a moustache.
31:17 FAVOURITE MUSIC, TV SHOWS AND MOVIES – Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man, Ted Lasso, Nobody Wants This, Barbie and The Odyssey round out the personal questions.
Which answer stood out to you? Share your views in the comments and suggest a question for a future guest.
See all the clips from this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJw3-1gZZdL4
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Craig Hill is a Brisbane-based author, journalist, teacher, business consultant and social justice campaigner. He is the General Manager of the Australian Book and Language Studio.
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