Analysing global consumption patterns with a large number of commodities. This project provides estimates of the income and price sensitivities of consumption, for a large number of finely distinguished goods, across most countries. These, together with new ways of enhancing economic data (by recognising quality improvements of goods and uncertainty), will be of value to researchers, government and business.
Regional Comparisons of Prices, Income and Growth in Australia. We will measure how much the cost of living and rates of inflation differ across the eight capital cities in Australia, and then test whether real per capita income levels across cities are converging or diverging over time. To make such comparisons, the ABS's databases on each capital city must first be harmonized. While doing this we will review the ABS's current procedures for data construction and quality assessment. A further a ....Regional Comparisons of Prices, Income and Growth in Australia. We will measure how much the cost of living and rates of inflation differ across the eight capital cities in Australia, and then test whether real per capita income levels across cities are converging or diverging over time. To make such comparisons, the ABS's databases on each capital city must first be harmonized. While doing this we will review the ABS's current procedures for data construction and quality assessment. A further aim is to show how statistical modelling using spanning-tree methods can resolve the conflict that arises for price indexes constructed on panel data sets between temporal and spatial consistency.Read moreRead less
Can Electronic Point-of-Sale (POS) Data Improve the Australian Consumer Price Index? This project will investigate how new sources of data can be used to improve the accuracy of price indexes that are used in policy formation, such as the consumer price index. The adoption of bar-code labelling for products has provided statistical agencies with an information-rich source of 'scanner data' on prices and quantities of purchased goods. In collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, thi ....Can Electronic Point-of-Sale (POS) Data Improve the Australian Consumer Price Index? This project will investigate how new sources of data can be used to improve the accuracy of price indexes that are used in policy formation, such as the consumer price index. The adoption of bar-code labelling for products has provided statistical agencies with an information-rich source of 'scanner data' on prices and quantities of purchased goods. In collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this project will develop mathematical and statistical methods for exploiting this new data source. The findings will contribute to the improvement of price indexes, and subsequently the many government policies that depend on these indexes.Read moreRead less
Scanner Data in the Consumer Price Index: How to expand and improve their use. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used in a variety of policy contexts, such as setting interest rates and determining the level of welfare payments, as well as by private industry for determining wages. The CPI is aggregate measure of price changes. It is typically constructed using survey data, which is a small sample of all the goods purchased. Electronic recording of sales, using scanned product bar codes, provide ....Scanner Data in the Consumer Price Index: How to expand and improve their use. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used in a variety of policy contexts, such as setting interest rates and determining the level of welfare payments, as well as by private industry for determining wages. The CPI is aggregate measure of price changes. It is typically constructed using survey data, which is a small sample of all the goods purchased. Electronic recording of sales, using scanned product bar codes, provides a huge amount of price and quantity information that potentially can be used to construct an improved CPI, and hence improved policies. The project includes the collaboration of the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bureau of Statistics (The Netherlands).Read moreRead less
Analysis of Drug Consumption in Australia Using New Microeconometric Techniques for Unit Record Data. The consumption of licit and illicit recreational drugs and its adverse health, social and economic effects are everyday topics in Australian society. Much debate has surrounded government drug policies implemented through education, legislation and taxation. This study will provide comprehensive empirical knowledge of Australians' consumption of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs for non-med ....Analysis of Drug Consumption in Australia Using New Microeconometric Techniques for Unit Record Data. The consumption of licit and illicit recreational drugs and its adverse health, social and economic effects are everyday topics in Australian society. Much debate has surrounded government drug policies implemented through education, legislation and taxation. This study will provide comprehensive empirical knowledge of Australians' consumption of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs for non-medical purpose, and illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine. It will help identify social, economic and demographic determinants of drug consumption, information which is invaluable for targeting drug policies and education programs. New microeconometric techniques will also be developed that have wide application in other fields.Read moreRead less