A new estimate of casual employment? Reply

"We have not produced an alternative estimate of casual employment. Rather, we have analysed a new measure published by the ABS, which shows that 17.7 per cent of employed persons had a casual contract in August 1998. This new measure was developed by the ABS to overcome significant measurement problems with its standard definition of casual employees (which accounted for 23.2 per cent of employed persons in August 1998). Our analysis sought to dispel the misconception that all casual contract employees are the same, with no entitlements, undesirable work arrangements, and similar preferences for ongoing employment.