There are many examples of productivity improvements, and they are still happening.
The problem is, the huge increases in red tape, OHS regulations, permits, registrations etc are swamping whatever can be achieved through any productivity gains.
Talk to anyone who runs a business, especially if they have employees as distinct from a sole trader.
When we hade had a business, we used to have these A-frame signs that the staff put out in the street every morning announcing we were open, what specials were on etc..
After few years, the local council inspector came around and told all the businesses in the street that they now had to pay $150 a year to have signs put out.
When I asked what do we get for our 150 per sign , I was told so the council would know how many signs there were in the town.
So I waited six months and sent a letter to the council asking how many there were. The response I got back was that they could only give an estimate, as there some exemptions. Not for profit, community orgs, and not surprisingly, council owned premises were exempt.
So I asked why did they need to know how many signs there where, and how would council services be improved by it?
Would the council be sending someone out every morning to count how many signs there were versus how many had been paid for?
Of course not they said, it would be a waste of council resources.
So what was the point I asked? Lots of waffle , but no real reason.
I could make another 8,000 examples, but you get the drift.
Mick