Research Expertise
Australian Economic Policy
Research is being undertaken into the evolution of economic and industry policy in Australia after World War II. This involves the use of official archival sources.It reveals the destruction of alternative sources of advice within the federal bureaucracy that left economic policy too dependent on Treasury opinion, and that left industry policy too dependent on tariff protection. Another interesting dimension is the effect of the Menzies’ Government strategy to move Australia within the American sphere of influence, not merely military but also economically.
Research is also taking place into the provision of loan finance by banks and their small business customers. Particular focus is on the extent of malpractice against small business borrowers by some major trading banks, malpractice that is not being countered by official regulatory bodies.
Further research has been undertaken on neoliberal economic policies and the sources of ideas and corporate support underpinning neoliberalism.
Staff members with expertise in Australian Economic Policy
The Nature of Work
The effects of the greater mobility of labour are being studied in one current research project. This is investigating how the availability and nature of work are being affected by the use of groups of workers who have made international shifts and are now forming a substantial proportion of the workforce in many countries.
Another project is examining 'green-collar jobs'. This looks at how climate change mitigation policies are likely to impact on employment by occupation, industry and region. It seeks to identify opportunities for employment growth that are consistent with ecological sustainability.
Staff members with expertise in The Nature of Work
Urban and Regional Development
The effect of land taxes and stamp duties on patterns of urban development has been a research project. The implications of the rapid inflation in the Sydney housing market are a particular focus of this research.
Another study has examined the impact of Afghan refugees on the NSW country town of Young, estimating the economic impact of the refugees on the regional economy.
Staff members with expertise in Urban and Regional Development
Global Integration
Research is focusing on how the globalisation of capital is restructuring the world economy and national economies within it. One theme is the effect of the proliferation of derivatives and other financial instruments, the transactions in which have grown so prodigiously overt the last decade. Another is the significance of the development of forms of regional political economic integration, such as that occurring in Europe.A third theme, already mentioned above in relation to the nature of work, is the effect of growth in international movements of labour. The implications of economic growth in China are also of research interest.
Staff members with expertise in Global Integration
- Dr Tim Anderson
- Professor Dick Bryan
- Dr Pamela Cawthorne
- Dr Bill Dunn
- Dr Joseph Halevi
- Dr Stuart Rosewarne
- Professor Frank Stilwell
Theories of Political Economy
This continues to be a theme influencing all aspects of research in this discipline. Some areas of current focus are the reformulation of economic analysis in relation to an ecological perspective; and the significance of the greater mobility of financial capital and of labour as influences on global economic conditions.
Staff members with expertise in Theories of Political Economy
