This paper examines non-metropolitan disadvantage in the framework of five key areas: economic capital; institutional capital; social capital; human capital; and natural capital. The report makes a number of recommendations and calls for a whole of government approach – in co-operation with business and community organisations – to decrease inequality between rural/regional and metropolitan centres...

Over the last 25 years neighbourhood economic outcomes have become increasingly polarised in Australia. The growing spatial dimensions of this inequality have generated discussion about the existence of ‘neighbourhood effects’, localised externalities and other endogenous processes, leading to underinvestment in education, lower levels of job-creation and economic activity, than might be expected in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

This information paper makes a case for the adoption of taxable income as an indicator of economic activity in Australia's regions. It presents statistical analyses and case studies to demonstrate the superiority of taxable income over either population or employment as an indicator of regional economic activity.

Over the last few decades there has been considerable change in the industrial and demographic composition of employment with substantial impacts on the spatial economy. There are significant disparities in employment growth rates across metropolitan and regional areas of Australia.

Andrew Beer, Paul Delfabbro, Kristin Natalier, Susan Oakley and Fiona Verity explain how this project will develop models of good practice in dealing with homeless young people in rural areas.