Peter Saunders and Peter Siminski examine the impact of home ownership on income distribution and the incidence of low-income using data from the Household Expenditure Surveys conducted in 1993–94 and 1998–99. Using the market value approach to derive an estimate of imputed rental income, they conclude that in 1998–99 imputed rent had an equalising distributional...

A recent St Vincent de Paul Society report claimed income inequality in Australia is dramatically widening. Peter Saunders suggested the report was grossly exaggerated. The authors of the report responded by telling the CIS to take a Bex and have a lie down. But Saunders argues that his critique, outlined in this report, still stands.

The St Vincent de Paul Society's recent paper, The Reality of Income Inequality in Australia, warns of Australia's 'current headlong dash into the chasm of inequality'. In his response Peter Saunders shows this claim is grossly exaggerated. The Vinnies' report argues that there has been 'a very significant shift to greater inequality' of disposable incomes...

Do income taxes levied at a state or regional level affect the after-tax distribution of income? Or do workers merely move between regions, causing pre-tax wages to adjust? Andrew Leigh draws on evidence from the United States and the European Union to explore this question.

Although the overall health status of Australians compares favourably with other developed countries, health status within the Australia population varies between different population groups. Illness and death have been shown to occur at higher rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Health may also vary according to sex region of residence or country of birth. This bulletin...