August 15, 2023

UOW expert commentary (15 August)

UOW academics provide expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories

Government use of consultants

Dr Erin Twyford can discuss the government’s reliance on consultants and other professional service providers. Dr Twyford is a critical accounting expert and says there’s a concerning level of interdependency between government and consultants. Dr Twyford is a senior lecturer in the School of Business and teaches financial accounting and taxation.

 ABS data release - Labour Force Survey (Thursday 17 August)

Associate Professor Martin O’Brien is available for interview about the ABS Labour Force Survey which will be released on Thursday 17 August. He can discuss employment, unemployment, underemployment, participation and hours worked from the monthly Labour Force Survey. Associate Professor O’Brien is an economist and the Director of the Centre for Human and Social Capital Research. His research interests include segmented labour market theory, econometrics, older worker employment issues and hidden unemployment. 

Maui wildfires

Associate Professor Owen Price can provide commentary on the wildfires in Maui. Associate Professor Price is the Director of the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires at UOW. His research focuses on bushfire risk and the impact on human health, houses and the environment.

Embedded power networks pricing

Associate Professor Rabindra Nepal can discuss plans by the NSW utilities regulator to begin a review into the pricing of private energy networks and whether new hot and chilled water services should be banned. Professor Nepal is an internationally recognised academic specialising in energy, environment and resources. He is an economist in the School of Business.

Hole in the ozone layer opening early

In an article in New Scientist Distinguished Professor Sharon Robinson discusses the ozone hole over Antarctica opening weeks earlier than usual. Professor Robinson says the early opening isn’t a major concern for wildlife in Antarctica because most organisms are still under ice or snow at this time of year, however she says if the ozone hole closes later than usual, it could be harmful to animals and plants that emerge later in spring or early summer. Professor Robinson is a climate change biologist in the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences.

UOW academics exercise academic freedom by providing expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing social issues and current affairs. This expert commentary reflects the views of those individual academics and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the University of Wollongong.