The first part of this paper develops a theoretical model of fiscal equalisation to derive an optimal equalisation formula that has general applicability for federations. If vertical equity is achieved by the central government and horizontal equity by interstate migration, the welfare-maximising role of fiscal equalisation is to support an efficient distribution of different labour...

I show that where a child grows up has a causal effect on their adult income, but that place matters most in the teenage years. I use variation in the age at which Australian children move to identify this pattern of place exposure effects. I explore two potential explanations. First, this pattern is partly explained...

By international standards, Australia’s business tax system combines a high company tax rate of 30 per cent with low taxation of domestic investors through dividend imputation. This prioritising of domestic investors over foreign investors is at odds with the evidence in this paper that the marginal investor is foreign. Better aligning Australia’s business tax system...

This paper situates the Henderson Poverty Inquiry in the context of other social security reviews occurring at the time and subsequently. Insights are drawn on the influence of these inquiries by exploring their characteristics, activities and findings and by reflecting on ensuing policy change.

This paper presents an algebraic approach to estimating Effective Marginal Tax Rates (EMTRs) in New Zealand.