Centre for Policy Development's Blog, page 81
September 11, 2012
Ian McAuley | New Matilda, 10 Sept
After the Bureau of Statistics released a range of data at the beginning of September, CPD fellow Ian McAuley, ‘rummaged’ through it to present a picture of how the Australian economy is faring. In it, he questions the widely held view that we are a high tax country, and instead highlights that we are suffering a taxation shortfall.
Read more here: http://newmatilda.com/2012/09/10/state-economy
Pavan Sukhdev | Book Launch | Melbourne, 4 December 2012
Economist Pavan Sukhdev, a leading strategist in sustainable practice, returns to Australia to share his vision of a global green economy as explored in his latest book Corporation 2020: Transforming Business for Tomorrow’s World. Global in scale and multilateral in approach, the book reimagines the corporation as an agent for positive change in the economy, society and the natural environment.
Tuesday 4 December, 5.30pm
Readings at the Brain Centre, University of Melbourne.
Free, but please book on 03 9347 1749.
Marine Reserves Reality Check | The Cairns Post, 10 September 2012
Marine park cost claims ‘dubious’
Marine Reserves Reality Check, by CPD’s Marine Economy fellow Caroline Hoisington, was featured in The Cairns Post on its day of release.
Although the reporter initially misquoted some key figures, the article nonetheless highlights Caroline’s effective debunking of claims made by Cummings Economics that the Coral Sea marine park would deliver a $1 billion blow to the Far Northern economy.
September 10, 2012
John Menadue and Arja Keski-Nummi | The Drum Unleashed, 29 August
CPD Fellows ask how to best implement the imperfect set of solutions that is the Houston report
While the government has acted wisely in its decision to implement the recommendations of the Houston report in full, such a roll-out will resurrect the Nauru and Manus Island detention centres, signalling a return to Howard-era policies on asylum seekers.
Given the UNHCR’s refusal to co-operate with Nauru and Manus Island, and the Opposition’s determination to cherry-pick the report’s proposals, as suits them politically, “our next best hope is that the Government will use these islands for the shortest time and for as few people as possible.”
The report is a puzzle of pieces and removing one may well prejudice the total package
Read more online: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4230566.html
Jennifer Doggett & Ian McAuley | Mending patchwork reform for dental health
While the government’s $4bn dental health reform package has the potential to reduce waiting lists and encourage early intervention, it has been criticised for its failure to integrate dental health into the broader healthcare system, and so overcome the difficulties in delivering affordable and equitable dental care without the kind of universal support other health programs benefit from.
Co-authors Ian McAuley and CPD Fellow and health sector consultant Jennifer Doggett explain why more needs to be done to close the dental bill gap for Australians without private health insurance, who are ineligible for public dental subsidies:
“This group…is likely to include those with multiple health and social problems, including chronic illnesses and homelessness. If the dental needs of these most vulnerable groups cannot be met through this package, it fails the equity test.”
September 9, 2012
Pavan Sukhdev | Sydney, 3 December 2012
Economist Pavan Sukhdev, a leading strategist in sustainable practice, returns to Australia to share his vision of a global green economy as explored in his latest book Corporation 2020: Transforming Business for Tomorrow’s World. Global in scale and multilateral in approach, the book reimagines the corporation as an agent for positive change in the economy, society and the natural environment. CPD will host this free event in partnership with Sydney Ideas and the new book will be available on the night from Gleebooks. Come along to find out how the gains made by corporations in the areas of job and wealth creation can continue under a more sustainable and equitable model. Stay tuned to future editions of CPD eNews, or cpd.org.au for registration link and further details.
6 to 7.30pm, Monday 3 Dec, Law school foyer, University of Sydney
T his is a free event and open to all.
Marine Reserves Reality Check | Caroline Hoisington
The economic cost of the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network is small compared to its benefits. Wild claims of potential damage to fishing businesses are being made in the lead up to the final declaration of the Marine Reserve Network and the shape of its associated $100 million compensation package. These claims are not credible in light of the detailed and careful assessment conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) for the Regulatory Impact Statement on the new marine reserves. The appearance of excessive cost estimates is not surprising, given that such estimates are now a familiar part of the lobbying process.
In this report, CPD’s Marine Economy Fellow Caroline Hoisington outlines:
Credible estimates of the likely losses to fishers and communities from implementing the new marine reserves
Why bigger estimates do not add up
The principles on which compensation should be based
The benefits of the proposed marine reserves network
The importance of maintaining bipartisan support for marine protection
September 6, 2012
Marine Reserves Reality Check
The economic cost of the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network is small compared to its benefits. Wild claims of potential damage to fishing businesses are being made in the lead up to the final declaration of the Marine Reserve Network and the shape of its associated $100 million compensation package. These claims are not credible in light of the detailed and careful assessment conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) for the Regulatory Impact Statement on the new marine reserves. The appearance of excessive cost estimates is not surprising, given that such estimates are now a familiar part of the lobbying process.
In this report, CPD’s Marine Economy Fellow Caroline Hoisington outlines:
Credible estimates of the likely losses to fishers and communities from implementing the new marine reserves
Why bigger estimates do not add up
The principles on which compensation should be based
The benefits of the proposed marine reserves network
The importance of maintaining bipartisan support for marine protection
This report will be available for download from Monday September 10. Please ring 032 360 234 if you would like access to it before that date.
September 3, 2012
Markus Mannheim | The Age, 4 September 2012
Markus Mannheim analysed comments in The Australian last week by the head of the Business Council of Australia, Tony Shepherd, with reference to findings from an earlier CPD report on the Australian public service.
“[Shepherd] told The Australian last month that the country’s bureaucracies were growing out of control…
Yet, as the Centre for Policy Development highlighted in The State of the Australian Public Service report last year, while the APS’s staffing levels rose, so too did the population it served. “Our analysis contradicts the prevailing rhetoric about a burgeoning public service. On the contrary, the growth of the Australian Public Service has lagged behind the growth of the Australian population,” the report said.
Mannheim observes that a bureaucracy, “should become slowly more efficient at serving a growing population,” due to economies of scale, new technologies and better ways of working. Thus, we would expect to see a retraction in the public sector as a proportion of population. Since this didn’t happen in the last two terms of the Howard government, when the ratio rose significantly, and since under the Gillard government it has dropped sharply, to Mannheim’s mind this prompts the question: “what is Tony Shepherd talking about?”
August 26, 2012
Miriam Lyons: Living with the Carbon Tax | Sydney Institute
CPD Executive Director Miriam Lyons addressed a crowded room on the controversial topic of living with the carbon tax. Presenting a contrary view of the same topic was Herald Sun business commentator Terry McCrann. The seminar was filmed for broadcast on a-pac TV (channel 684 on Foxtel).
Miriam’s paper will be published on The Sydney Institute’s website in the coming weeks. Watch for a link from the Sydney Institute website: http://www.thesydneyinstitute.com.au/speaker/miriam-lyons/
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