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August 2018 Briefing and Luncheon Featuring Dr John Hewson AM

The SA Centre for Economic Studies of the University of Adelaide is pleased to invite Corporate Members and their guests to the August 2018 Economic Briefing presentation and luncheon. The luncheon will be held at The Intercontinental Adelaide, North Terrace, next Wednesday, 8 August, from 12:00 noon.
The function includes a presentation on the situation and […]

Posted in Events, South Australian economy | Tagged |

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Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of human services and beyond – Tania Dey

A recent report by the Productivity Commission, examines the role of competition and contestability in achieving efficiencies in human services.  The Productivity Commission points towards well established markets for childcare, schools, optometries, GP (Medicare) and allied health professionals which demonstrates the benefits of competition.  The report acknowledges that competition or contestability may not be suitable […]

Posted in public policy, Services, Tania Dey | Tagged |

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The high cost of ‘ice’

Adelaide again attracted the unenviable moniker of ‘Ice Capital of Australia’ in the media in March with the release of the latest Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission analysis of drug use across Australia.
Adelaide’s methamphetamine (or ‘ice’) consumption, calculated through a sophisticated analysis of wastewater, was the highest of the capital cities again.
One statement in the National […]

Posted in public policy, Steve Whetton | Tagged |

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Council rates capping, inflation and state government’s role

The state government is currently legislating to cap council rate increases. The initiative arises from concerns regarding general rates rises and cost of living issues. In this post we examine how council rates have changed over time, take a closer look at the proposed legislative changes, and consider how reasonable they are.
How have council rates […]

Posted in Anthony Kosturjak, Economic reform, public policy | Tagged , |

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Economic growth steady despite trade tensions and China question

University of Adelaide economists predict that South Australia’s economic growth will broadly mirror Australia’s and the global economy’s continued good performance. But there are risks from the United States’ anti-trade measures and the possibility that China will falter.
In its latest Economic Briefing Report, the University’s South Australian Centre for Economic Studies (SACES) predicts that global […]

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Where to for public sector reform?

As top departmental heads rolled in the wake of the election of the Marshall Liberal Government, the question was asked: ‘What next for the public service?’
Debate over the size and shape of South Australia’s public sector is a perennial issue in political and business circles and the SA Centre for Economic Studies added its perspective […]

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Migration important to SA regions

A major report on Australia’s population and the impact of immigration policy published by the Federal departments of Treasury and Home Affairs in April posed some pertinent questions for future research.
The report – Shaping a Nation, Population growth and immigration over time – asks, in part, whether the “current patterns of spatial distribution of population […]

Posted in Economic reform, public policy, Steve Whetton | Tagged , |

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SA Data Wrap – final demand and exports ease

The overarching story from this week’s Data Wrap is that economic conditions in South Australia have moderated recently. Data on final demand, exports and retail sales all point to weaker trends during the early months of the year.
South Australia’s final demand growth slows
The ABS released estimates of state final demand (SFD) on Wednesday as part […]

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SA Data Wrap – wellbeing improves amidst national decline

This edition of Data Wrap considers recent South Australian developments in respect of business investment, construction activity, overseas services exports and the wellbeing of the population. A more detailed analysis of these topics will be provided in the Centre’s upcoming June Economic Briefing Report.
Private sector new capital expenditure softens
ABS data on private new capital expenditure, […]

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Restoring faith in the political process – Michael O’Neil

Australians are disenchanted with our current political environment. More than 70 per cent think that the system of government needs reform.¹ And, yet, given the opportunity to break out of the two-party malaise at the recent State election, South Australians chose the status quo. Voters were seemingly not prepared to add a major new player […]

Posted in Michael O'Neil, public policy, Reports | Tagged , , |

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