8 May 2018: In 2016 the Federal Budget focused on ‘budget repair’ and in 2017, it was all about ‘jobs and growth’’; what will Budget 2018 bring? Will it continue the populist turn?
The University of Canberra’s National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) will have a first crack at showing the impact of the tax/transfer system in the Commonwealth Budget on Australian families and individuals.
Dr Jinjing Li, Associate Professor at NATSEM will present one of the first in-depth analyses of the Budget using STINMOD+, an advanced tax and transfer microsimulation model developed by the centre at the University’s annual NATSEM Budget analysis lunch event.
“We think STINMOD+ is very efficient and flexible. It allows us to incorporate new policies and produce analytical results in a very short time,” Dr Li said.
“By using this model, we will be able to highlight the effect of the budget on Australian families and individuals, including who will be affected and by how much.”
For the first time, an online version of the model will also be made available, so members of the public can enter their details and get personalised policy impact estimates. This online version will be updated with the 2018 Budget data from Thursday 10 May, 12:01 AM).
The analysis will be followed by a panel discussion in which Federal Government and Opposition representatives, researchers, economic experts and political commentators will examine the Budget in detail.
The panel this year will include:
- Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan – LNP Senator for Queensland and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia;
- Dr Jim Chalmers MP – ALP Member for Rankin and Shadow Minister for Finance;
- Saul Eslake – economist and consultant with Nous Group;
- Professor Mark Evans – University of Canberra’s Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis (IGPA) Director and Professor of Governance; and
- Michelle Grattan AO – University of Canberra Professorial Fellow and Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation
Former Finance Department Secretary and Adjunct Professor Jane Halton AO PSM will facilitate the discussion.
IGPA Director Mark Evans said the University would commence work on the analysis as soon as the Budget is handed down.
“Our researchers will be working around the clock to produce the first analysis of the winners and losers of Budget 2018,” Professor Evans said.
NATSEM’s 2018 Budget analysis will be available to attendees and on the AUSBudget website.
WHAT: NATSEM Budget Luncheon – Budget 2018: Continuing the populist turn?
WHEN: Thursday 10 May, 11am – 1.30pm
WHERE: The Theatre, Parliament House, Canberra
Please note this event is sold out. Media interested in attending should contact the UC Media Team.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Amanda Jones: 0409 140 415
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362