L'objectif principal de cet article est d'analyser les facteurs qui influencent la dynamique des séjours à l'aide sociale des ménages. On distingue quatre ensembles de variables: les variables qui affectent les conditions de travail ainsi que les préférences des ménages; les variables...

This paper provides estimates of the effects of divorce on the lifetime incomes of mothers. This is an issue that is not well explored in most countries, and has been essentially untouched empirically in the Australian context. The paper extends the existing literature, which has generally...

This is an introduction to the papers in this special issue on policy simulations discussing a variety of simulation models. Simulation modelling has become a powerful tool to analyse hypothetical and actual policy changes. This issue contains analyses based on both macro- and micro-level data....

In this paper, we argue that welfare participation is more sensitive to economic conditions than previously believed. Why? Prior research focused on short-term economic fluctuations and ignored differences between high- and low-skilled workers. As welfare reform is long-term (i.e., permanent) it...

The re-emergence of long term unemployment and benefit dependency has posed new challenges for traditional welfare and employment assistance regimes. New strategies aimed at ‘activating’ benefit systems, ‘making work pay’ and improving the efficiency of labour market programs are being...

A subject of considerable policy concern is the problem presented by declining fertility rates for social security systems in general and Pay-As-You-Go pension schemes in particular. Solutions proposed range from complete privatisation of the pensions system, through supplementary private...

This paper examines the distributional and efficiency effects of an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program of the kind being strongly advocated for Australia by a number of economists. The paper presents an empirical analysis of the Family Tax Credit proposed by the Australian Labor Party at...

High and persistent unemployment has presented a major challenge for the welfare state from two directions. First, it has eroded the funding base and second, it has increased the demands on welfare programs because of the consequences for poverty and inequality resulting from high unemployment....

The author of this paper was one of the members of the Reference Group that produced the McClure Report that recommended a simplified income support system as well as improved work incentives, as well as increased economic and social participation requirements on welfare recipients, and enhanced...

This paper introduces the papers based on a series of lectures held by the Centre for Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University in 2001 to commemorate the wide-ranging economic contribution of the late Professor F.H. (“Fred”) Gruen. The theme of the lectures was...