The role, importance, and overall performance of cooperative, mutual and member-owned firms in the Australian economy. On 2 March 2015, the Senate referred the following matters to the Economics Reference Committee for inquiry and report by 14 May 2015.

This inquiry looks at the challenges to Australian industries and jobs posed by increasing global competition in innovation, science, engineering, research and education. Innovation has consistently been acknowledged as a fundamental driver of productivity and economic growth which can deliver positive social and environmental outcomes...

This Report addresses the Terms of Reference of the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into the Australian Innovation System. The Report recommends that Government should take action, in collaboration with research organisations and business, to lift innovation performance in five Strategic Action Areas: leadership and...

In response to the global financial crisis the government introduced two guarantee schemes for authorised deposit-taking institutions, one for deposits and one for wholesale funding. This report assesses the schemes and makes recommendations for future arrangements.

The acquisitions of St George Bank by Westpac and Bankwest by the Commonwealth Bank in 2008 increased the market share of the 'big four' banks, raising concerns that increasing concentration from bank mergers may be significantly reducing competition in the Australian market forfinancial services. This...