One Size Fits All *

This paper shows how two sectors of the Australian economy - residential housing and commodity extraction - have come to dominate economic activity and, in particular, capital spending. We conclude that both sectors are driven by outside influences and domestic complacency: inappropriate monetary policies in the rest of the world that have not been sufficiently neutralised in Australia by the authorities (and which have been actively promoted and encouraged by the banking sector) and the great investment boom in China which is itself partly the result of these loose monetary policies globally. Now, more than ever, Australia is beholden to global money flows and global monetary policy.

Currency Games *

This paper looks at just how vulnerable the Australian economy is to a reversal of fortunes in the capital flows that saw the Aussie dollar peak at over A$1.1/US$1 just a few weeks ago. Like so much in economics, any potential reversal in money flows - or risk aversion panic - will have widespread ramifications for the fragile Australian economy that lies outside the hyper-driven commodity sector.

A Dynamic Approach to Western Australian Ports

This paper was presented to the PARTRC Research Forum at Curtin University. It seeks to be a first step towards a new framework for Western Australian port governance with the aim of unlocking and promoting a more flexible and dynamic environment for ports to operate within. In contrast to the Port Authorities Act 1999, this paper proposes a framework that will better allow ports to facilitate trade through the continuous pursuit of new opportunities, least cost alternative methods of production and the efficient utilisation of scarce resources given an uncertain future. It argues that the goal for port reform should not be one that sets uniform standards or seeks to achieve some ideal static equilibrium benchmarks but should be one that – by ensuring the correct institutional structures and thus incentives are in place – creates the necessary conditions for intertemporally coordinated and social welfare maximising performance in Western Australian ports.

Project Western Australia: Transport Infrastructure

This paper is part of a forward-looking joint program of the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation and the Institute of Public Affairs, Project Western Australia. It examines infrastructure requirements in Western Australia and in particular how the Western Australian State Government should go about determining priorities. Covering roads, rail, seaports and airports, the paper compares and contrasts the merits of various funding models and looks at what methods are most appropriate for sustainable investment in both new infrastructure and the maintenance and prolonging the usable life of existing infrastructure assets.

Money Madness *

Money Madness looks at institutions and how they can influence incentives and distort the self-interested actions of individuals. Using the case of Australia, it examines how certain institutional structures can indirectly cause very real structural problems in an economy.

When the Tide Changes *

When the Tide Changes looks at the relationship between house prices and the current account balance (the corollary of which is the capital account inflow or outflow).

One Trick Pony? *

This report looks at Australia's current commodity boom and compares it with previous episodes of commodity euphoria in the country, all of which have all ended badly.

Ruinous Nation *

This report examines the structural effects that Chinese demand has on Australia.

The Illusion of Prosperity *

The Illusion of Prosperity looks at how trouble is likely to manifest itself and the disconnect emerging between end-users of property and investors.

The Great Australian Bubble *

The Great Australian Bubble takes a detailed look at the housing market in Australia.

Fool's Paradise *

Fool's Paradise examined the credit conditions in Australia and the response of the banks to the global credit crunch.

Islamic Economics - Unequal Wealth

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Islamic Economics - Unequal Education

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Management for the Future

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Management for Change

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Rural Water - Final Report

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Rural Water - Taking Ownership

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