People & associates

Ken Phillips

Portrait of Ken Phillips

Director, Work Reform Unit

Ken Phillips is the director of the Work Reform Unit at the Insitute of Public Affairs. Ken is an independent contractor operating as his own business, as a researcher, commentator, lobbyist and strategist on labour and workplace issues. Amongst his many activities, Ken is a published authority on independent contractor issues, directs research on industrial relations and trade practices issues, the morality of labour reform, work safety and related issues. He promotes the management concept of 'markets in the firm'. He works with business client on reform strategies. Through his many articles Ken is known for approaching labour issues from unexpected perspectives.

Ken's book Independence and the Death of Employment will be published by Connor Court in October 2008.

Contact details

Related publications

Submission to the National Review of Occupational Health and Safety Laws

SUBMISSION | Ken Phillips

How the government and unions help maintain Australia's skills shortage

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Ken Phillips

Submission to the review into Comcare

SUBMISSION | Ken Phillips

How the government and unions help maintain Australia's skills shortage

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Ken Phillips

Australia is in the first phase of a demographically induced labour crunch. Labour shortages are not in the distance but are already upon us and will become worse.

Fighting the last war: industrial relations in 2007

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Ken Phillips

Related news

The system suffers when everyone has somewhere to hide

Economics & Deregulation and Work Reform Unit | | Ken Phillips
The Age 30th September, 2008

This global financial crisis is testing to extremes every idea and tool economic regulators possess. But regulators don't demonstrate any...

ABCC passes public interest test

Work Reform Unit | | Ken Phillips
Australian Financial Review 2nd September, 2008

The Australian Building and Construction Commission operates an oppressive kangaroo court. It victimizes innocent construction workers and...

Drums are beating for Iemma

Work Reform Unit | | Ken Phillips
Australian Financial Review 21st July, 2008

Of all Labor governments across Australia, NSW seems to be the one tearing itself apart. What's happening is critical to Labor nationally and to...

Developers have building blocks to get better results

Economics & Deregulation and Work Reform Unit | | Ken Phillips
The Age 3rd July, 2008

It's long been a dream of many in the Melbourne construction sector to build medium-density apartments at the same cost of building housing in the...

The regiments of left and right now march to market

Economics & Deregulation and Work Reform Unit | | Ken Phillips
The Age 29th May, 2008

The left has lost. So say the left! This is not a point-scoring statement from someone from the right but the words of the people from the...