Monthly Archives: June 2008

One born every minute

Posted on June 27, 2008 by

The ABS has a new survey out today on personal fraud (HT: Dan Andrews). The headline in tomorrow’s reporting will doubtless be the finding that 453,100 Australians lost on average $2,160 as a result of personal fraud. But what surprised me … Continue reading →

Posted in Law | 2 Comments

Housing affordability workshop

Posted on June 27, 2008 by

For any Canberrans interested in the hot topic of housing prices, we’re running an event on Monday afternoon that may be of interest. Speakers are Brian Howe, Stephen King, and Rob Taunton. Details over the fold.

Posted in Coming Events | 3 Comments

The World's Social Laboratory?

Posted on June 26, 2008 by

My colleagues at ANU’s Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute are running a series of “Case Studies of Australian Social Policy” seminars. They have an impressive lineup, which I’ve reproduced over the fold.

Posted in Australian Politics, Economics Generally

Keeping you safe, one queue at a time

Posted on June 25, 2008 by

A paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Law and Economics demonstrates the welfare cost of more stringent security at US airports. The Impact of Post 9/11 Airport Security Measures on the Demand for Air Travel Garrick Blalock, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally, Travel | 2 Comments

Sharing the Boom

Posted on June 24, 2008 by

With resource prices rising far faster than expected, my AFR op-ed today discusses the arguments for and against a windfall profits tax on mining companies. Full text over the fold.

Posted in Economics Generally | 24 Comments

Economists' emotions: empirical evidence

Posted on June 24, 2008 by

According to research by Joshua Gans, I am the happiest of the six Australian econ-bloggers in his survey. What can one do but smile?

Posted in Blogging, Economics Generally | 4 Comments

Development Conference Papers

Posted on June 23, 2008 by

For anyone who was unable to attend last week’s New Techniques in Development Economics Conference (supported by AusAID), some of the papers are available online. Full program over the fold. Those that are available are hyperlinked; others should show up with … Continue reading →

Posted in Trade & Development