Understanding Dynamic Aspects of Economic Inequality. This project aims to study dynamic aspects of inequality in Australia by exploring the changes in labour and housing market conditions and their relation to the changes in the distribution of income and wealth over the last decade. The project also aims to develop new econometric techniques to examine the factors that are responsible for the changes in the distribution of income and wealth and a range of labour and housing market outcomes. Pa ....Understanding Dynamic Aspects of Economic Inequality. This project aims to study dynamic aspects of inequality in Australia by exploring the changes in labour and housing market conditions and their relation to the changes in the distribution of income and wealth over the last decade. The project also aims to develop new econometric techniques to examine the factors that are responsible for the changes in the distribution of income and wealth and a range of labour and housing market outcomes. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the changes in individual-specific characteristics (such as education, age, employment status, and occupation) and neighbourhood-specific characteristics (such as house prices and population ageing) in producing inequality.Read moreRead less
Optimal taxation when the allocation of time matters. This project aims to incorporate evidence-based models of time allocation, which go beyond the simple division between work and leisure, in optimal tax settings. This approach will help to inform the public policy debate on child support, by questioning whether, and if so how, to subsidise childcare, where parental time use plays a crucial role.
Small firms' finances: effects on employment, wages and growth. The project aims to estimate how difficulties in accessing financial and credit markets affect small and medium enterprise (SME) decisions about employment, wages, entry and exit. Although the SME sector is Australia’s largest employer, the extent to which financial constraints affect these firms' market performance and their ability to create and sustain employment is unknown. The project plans to use an econometric analysis of fir ....Small firms' finances: effects on employment, wages and growth. The project aims to estimate how difficulties in accessing financial and credit markets affect small and medium enterprise (SME) decisions about employment, wages, entry and exit. Although the SME sector is Australia’s largest employer, the extent to which financial constraints affect these firms' market performance and their ability to create and sustain employment is unknown. The project plans to use an econometric analysis of firm level panel data to fill this gap. The intended outcome is micro-econometric findings tailored to improve targeted labour and financial policy. The expected benefit is to provide input to policy responses that support employment, productivity and wages in volatile market conditions.Read moreRead less
Australia's Resilience to Recession. This project aims to study why Australia differs from its OECD peers in that it has not had a recession for 27 years. It intends to generate knowledge by using economic models to solve 3 puzzles relating to Australia’s success: (i) why did foreign financial market shocks not spill over to the economy?; (ii) how has the resource curse that affects economies with a booming resource sector been avoided?; and (iii) what makes Australia special? Expected outcomes ....Australia's Resilience to Recession. This project aims to study why Australia differs from its OECD peers in that it has not had a recession for 27 years. It intends to generate knowledge by using economic models to solve 3 puzzles relating to Australia’s success: (i) why did foreign financial market shocks not spill over to the economy?; (ii) how has the resource curse that affects economies with a booming resource sector been avoided?; and (iii) what makes Australia special? Expected outcomes include the development of theoretical and empirical models that reflect the unique features of the Australian economy. This should provide significant benefits, including guidance to Australian and international policymakers on macroeconomic policies for resource-rich countries.Read moreRead less
The Role of the Family in Facilitating the Human Capital and Labour Market Investments of Young Australians. A nation's future lies in its young people, and society as a whole must take part in ensuring that today's youth acquire the skills, experience, and training necessary not only to cope, but to thrive. The proposed research will make a substantial step forward in understanding how families make decisions about supporting their young adult children and how those decisions are shaped by Aust ....The Role of the Family in Facilitating the Human Capital and Labour Market Investments of Young Australians. A nation's future lies in its young people, and society as a whole must take part in ensuring that today's youth acquire the skills, experience, and training necessary not only to cope, but to thrive. The proposed research will make a substantial step forward in understanding how families make decisions about supporting their young adult children and how those decisions are shaped by Australian social policy. The findings will inform social policy development by providing evidence on pressing issues such as the effects of rising house prices or weakening labour markets on young Australians' ability to invest in education.Read moreRead less
An Economic Analysis of the Effect of Networks on Jobs and Mental Health in China: Patterns, Consequences and Policy Implications. China is a priority neighbour whose growth and stability will have a large impact on Australia. Urbanisation and economic reforms change the incentives to maintain and form social relations. Researching these changes to help policy makers keep the effects within acceptable borders is a top priority of the Chinese government and entirely in Australia's own interest. T ....An Economic Analysis of the Effect of Networks on Jobs and Mental Health in China: Patterns, Consequences and Policy Implications. China is a priority neighbour whose growth and stability will have a large impact on Australia. Urbanisation and economic reforms change the incentives to maintain and form social relations. Researching these changes to help policy makers keep the effects within acceptable borders is a top priority of the Chinese government and entirely in Australia's own interest. The project thus serves as a bridge between policymakers and researchers: it is done in consultation with AusAID, the Chinese ministry for labour, and international scientific organisations such as the Ford Foundation and the German Institute of Labour (IZA)Read moreRead less
Work-related Training in Australia. The proposal will improve our understanding of the relationship between work-related training and wage formation, wage growth and inequality in Australia. It will contribute to a better-informed public debate about how to make Australia a knowledge-based economy and will ultimately improve economic policies that are relevant to skills acquisition. This has the potential to have a significant impact on the economic well-being and quality of life of many individ ....Work-related Training in Australia. The proposal will improve our understanding of the relationship between work-related training and wage formation, wage growth and inequality in Australia. It will contribute to a better-informed public debate about how to make Australia a knowledge-based economy and will ultimately improve economic policies that are relevant to skills acquisition. This has the potential to have a significant impact on the economic well-being and quality of life of many individuals and households in the economy, thereby contributing to the National Research Priorities, especially 'Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric'. Read moreRead less
Inequality of health, wealth and education in China. This project aims to examine whether China’s recent increase in income inequality is associated with increased inequalities in other well-being related outcomes: health, education and wealth. It also aims to identify the factors associated with increases in inequalities. Significant increases in income and wealth inequality could have detrimental effects on economic and political stability. The expected outcomes from this project will help to ....Inequality of health, wealth and education in China. This project aims to examine whether China’s recent increase in income inequality is associated with increased inequalities in other well-being related outcomes: health, education and wealth. It also aims to identify the factors associated with increases in inequalities. Significant increases in income and wealth inequality could have detrimental effects on economic and political stability. The expected outcomes from this project will help to identify policies useful in addressing inequalities and enhancing stability within Australia's important trading partner.Read moreRead less
Private Responses to Demographic Change and Pension Reform in Urban China. Social, economic, and political stability in China is important for Australia and its business community due to the sheer size of China and its market. The rapid aging and significant social welfare reform is a potential instability source. This project contributes to the improvement of policy making in this area, which will enhance China's long term stability. This study provides detailed information on Chinese household ....Private Responses to Demographic Change and Pension Reform in Urban China. Social, economic, and political stability in China is important for Australia and its business community due to the sheer size of China and its market. The rapid aging and significant social welfare reform is a potential instability source. This project contributes to the improvement of policy making in this area, which will enhance China's long term stability. This study provides detailed information on Chinese household behaviour in pension financing, which may be helpful to the Australian business sector in making judgments on important economic relationships in the Chinese insurance market. Australia is also facing a changing age structure and seeking financial solutions. Our study may feed into improved research in this area.Read moreRead less
Problem Gambling: effects on families, children and spouses. This project aims to produce evidence that can be used to address problem gambling in Australia. Problem gambling is a major issue, costing Australians over $4.7 billion per year. Better understanding of problem gambling and better policy coming from our project have the potential to significantly improve the lives of Australians--their labour market performance, their mental health and the quality of their relationships. This proj ....Problem Gambling: effects on families, children and spouses. This project aims to produce evidence that can be used to address problem gambling in Australia. Problem gambling is a major issue, costing Australians over $4.7 billion per year. Better understanding of problem gambling and better policy coming from our project have the potential to significantly improve the lives of Australians--their labour market performance, their mental health and the quality of their relationships. This project will generate new knowledge by using a novel approach where problem gamblers are considered in the context of their families. Using quantitative data over more than 10 years, this project seeks to produce new evidence about how problem gamblers affect their families and how families help or harm gamblers.Read moreRead less