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Australia's productivity is in freefall—join the H.R. Nicholls Society’s 2025 National Conference to tackle it with bold IR reforms, AI-driven innovation, & solutions to slay our litigious bogeyman. Hear from top leaders in government, law, & business on reclaiming our global edge through flexible, clever workplaces.

The H.R. Nicholls Society was founded in 1986. The Society is dedicated to advocating for sensible industrial relations reform to accelerate Australia’s productivity growth and enhance the prosperity of all Australians.

It aims to:

  • promote discussion about the operation of industrial relations in Australia including the system of determining wages and other conditions of employment;

  • promote the rule of law with respect to employers and employee organisations alike;

  • promote reform of the current wage-fixing system; and

  • support the necessity for labour relations to be conducted in such a way as to promote economic development in Australia.

The Society’s ambition is to transform Australia’s labour market into a job-creating and wealth-generating engine of growth and prosperity.

As well as publishing original research and providing submissions to Government, The Society holds an annual national conference and publishes its proceedings.

Join the Society

Membership to The H.R. Nicholls Society is open to anyone who supports our aims.

As a financial member, you will support and participate in our policy advocacy efforts, enjoy discounted admission to our National Conference and other events, and receive complimentary copies of new volumes of the Society’s proceedings.

Watch

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, delivers a powerful address at the H.R. Nicholls Society’s 2024 National Conference, challenging industry associations to step up, stand firm, and fight for their members.

Former Productivity Commissioner and e61 CEO Michael Brennan delves into Australia’s productivity crisis and the lingering influence of the 1907 Harvester Judgment at the Society’s 2024 National Conference

The Societ'y’s President Frank Parry KC on The Perspectives on Closing Loopholes Vodcast by Clayton Utz with partners, Shae McCartney and Matt Kelleher.

Latest News

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Statement on the passing of John Stone AO
Statement on the passing of John Stone AO

It is with profound sadness that we mark the passing of John Stone AO, a towering figure in Australian public life, a brilliant conservative economist, and one of the founding fathers of the H.R. Nicholls Society and the Samuel Griffith Society.

Union Crime: Supercharged ABCC & Criminal Taskforce a Must
Union Crime: Supercharged ABCC & Criminal Taskforce a Must

Sunday's 60 Minutes proved that criminal and unlawful conduct remains deeply embedded in the Victorian Government's Big Build projects.

To eradicate the violent criminality strangling Victoria’s Big Build projects, the Government must deploy a high-powered taskforce of Ministers, senior officials, Victoria Police, and top contractors to enforce order and justice. 

Australia Risks Falling Behind as Trump Signals Aggressive Deregulation
Australia Risks Falling Behind as Trump Signals Aggressive Deregulation

President Trump’s re-election raises the stakes for Australia’s global competitiveness, as his incoming administration prepares sweeping deregulation to supercharge U.S. productivity. Meanwhile, Australia remains stuck in a productivity slump, with no relief in sight.

Opinion

Featured
More failures in union leadership
More failures in union leadership

Australia needs a system that reflects the true position of union representation. Freedom to select agreement types, freedom to not join a union, and the freedom to work flexibly as a casual, contractor, labour hire, or gig worker must be central to our workplace relations system.