These extraordinary times called for an extraordinarily agile poll of the ESA National Economic Panel. We sought the Panel's opinion on this proposition: "Hillary Clinton is likely to be the superior US presidential candidate for the Australian economy and for Australia."
This month the Panellists were asked 'The total benefit of current levels of migration to Australia will outweigh the total costs to Australia's economy.'
Question Part 1: 'Behavioural economics provides new and useful insights into individual behaviour.'
Question Part 2: 'It is unethical for governments to use behavioural economics to "nudge" citizens.'
Panellists were asked: The Reserve Bank of Australia should be tasked with targeting nominal economic growth rather than inflation.
Our latest National Economic Panel Poll asked members to comment on the impact Brexit will have on UK Citizens.
In the lead up to the 2016 Australian federal election we asked the Economic Society of Australia's National Economic Panel (NEP) for their opinion on this proposition:
'Australia will receive a bigger economic growth dividend in the long-run by spending on education than offering an equivalent amount of money on a tax cut to business.'
'The recently released 2016-17 Commonwealth Budget projects that the Australian Government's underlying cash balance will return to surplus by 2020‑21*. Australian politicians should re-balance the budget with greater urgency.'
With the ‘biggest-ever’ Australian business delegation visiting China last week, we asked Economic Society of Australia's National Economic Panel (NEP) about the potential benefits for Australia of China moving to consumption-led growth.
For the fifth poll of the ESA National Economic Panel (NEP), the panel was polled on this proposition: "Government investments in major sporting events usually generate net benefits for the city or region where the investment is made."
Economists have a warning for those planning to exchange gifts this festive season, writes Jessica Irvine.
Sarah is a Partner in PwC's Economics and Policy team and leads PwC's national Infrastructure Economics offering. She is passionate about maximising the benefits to communities and businesses from investment in public infrastructure including transport, health, education, social housing and precinct infrastructure. She brings a diversity of perspectives having lived overseas in Europe and Asia for 3 years, in both Denmark and China. She is also PwC's Partner Sponsor for their Symmetry network, PwC's employee-led network for gender diversity and inclusion, leading a range of initiatives to connect, inspire, empower and lead progress. As a Committee Member of the NSW Branch Women in Economics Network (WEN), Sarah also seeks to encourage young people, particularly females, to consider economics as a rewarding and impactful career.
Michelle Dowdell is Treasury’s Head of Melbourne Office and a Principal Adviser in Retirement Income Policy Division. A key role of the Division is providing advice on all aspects of retirement income policy, including age pension policy and the tax and regulatory aspects of superannuation policy. As Head of Melbourne office, Michelle leads Treasury’s engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Since starting in Treasury as a Graduate, Michelle has worked in a number of policy areas within Commonwealth Treasury and Department of Finance. Michelle has also been an adviser to three Treasury Ministers and was seconded to NZ Treasury advising on regulatory reform.
Lisa’s research interests lie in the area of Health Economics and Economic Psychology: specifically in relation to risky health behaviours (gambling, smoking and drinking) and behavioural economics (understanding and modelling addiction and the effects of psychology/ personality on economic decisions). Lisa has published extensively in International A* and A ranked journals which include the American Economic Review. Her external engagement includes: being an Editorial Board Member for the Economic Record and the Journal of Gambling Business, Chief Examiner Economics and Markets, Foundation Studies for Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Australian, 2011 -2016 (and continuing support for this program) and Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) Social and Economic Behaviour (SBE) panel member August –Dec 2010. In her current role as Professor of Economics within the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing at RMIT University Lisa acts as the Deputy Head of School (Research and Innovation) and also is Director of Markets, Culture and Behaviour Priority Research Area of the College of Business.
For our November poll, panelists were asked the following: "In general, using more congestion charges in crowded transportation networks — such as higher tolls during peak travel times in cities, and peak fees for airplane takeoff and landing slots — and using the proceeds to lower other taxes would make citizens on average better off."
For our October Poll we asked the panel to comment on two propositions relating to the Banking Royal Commission and the Credit Crunch.
For our August poll, we asked panellists to consider the following proposition: "There are clear net benefits for Australians from (further) increasing the diversion of waste from Australian landfills."
The World Health Organisation has called for governments around the world to use fiscal policy as a mechanism to address obesity. The National Economic Panellists’ views were sought on such a policy response.
Electric car users currently enjoy a number of subsidies (concessions) from governments in Australia. Electric car users do not pay the 40 cent per litre fuel tax (excise) which goes towards funding Australian roads.
