Public economics and social policy

The department's research in this area includes the theoretical and empirical modeling of university participation by the socially disadvantaged and includes intergenerational earnings mobility. Research in health economics focuses on the modeling of patient-doctor-specialist interactions and ways to enhance efficiency in markets for health services. Research into addiction considers policies that might control drug use and the social impact of drug and gambling addiction. Our interest in labour unions focuses on the consequences of globalization and outsourcing for unionisation and the effects of unionization on costs and productivity. Research is this area has been supported by various ARC discovery grants and our researchers have contributed to Australian policy debates, including submissions to productivity commission inquiries and preparation of reports for various Australian government departments.