This article evaluates the effects of budget consolidation on the Australian economy in the 1990s. As the economy recovered from the 1991-92 recession, the need to improve the fiscal balance to lift national saving became the dominant influence on fiscal policy. The article argues that spending...

In most countries, including Australia, special excise and other taxes are imposed on beer, wine and spirits. This paper reviews the market failure arguments for special taxation of alcoholic beverages, evaluates the pros and cons of different externality correction taxes in terms of the tax...