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This paper presents a case study that reflects on teaching an economic unit, Cost-benefit analysis (CBA), to a diverse undergraduate student body at the researcher's institution. CBA is an applied economic technique that attempts to assess the economic efficiency of proposed public policies through the systematic prediction of social costs and social benefits. Students in this CBA unit are required to complete an online test, CBA report and a final examination. In the CBA Report, the students perform analytical work to explain the relationships among events, identify options, evaluate choices, and predict the effects of actions. This paper investigates the performance of four different student cohorts from 2019 to 2022. This paper aims to understand the differences in undergraduate students' learning of CBA based on the diversity among students, and in particular whether any specific student demographic (defined by gender, age, course progress level, study load and domestic vs international students) experienced a disproportional impact. The findings are then used to contribute improvement in the teaching and learning of the unit in higher education.

To progress with their learning, students need to be able to make judgements about the quality of their own work and the work of others. This capability is known as evaluative judgement. The importance of evaluative judgement is well-established, but environments in which learners practice this capability remain unknown. This paper explores whether learners practice evaluative judgement within qualitative self-assessment. We conducted a thematic analysis of students' qualitative self-assessments from years one, three and four of construction management and building surveying courses and analysed approximately 430 pages of text. Our analysis indicated that learners often practised evaluative judgement during qualitative self-assessment even when such pedagogical activity was not specifically designed for this purpose. While constructing their professional knowledge, learners made evaluations of the quality of work, their own and the work of others. Based on our findings, we recommend that qualitative self-assessment is embedded within curricula to enable learners to practice evaluative judgement.

This position paper sets out to examine value creation in the engineering enterprise, a process that has mostly been associated with innovation and entrepreneurs. An analysis of the literature on engineering value creation in business studies, engineering and engineering education publications shows that there has been surprisingly little empirical study and thus the means by which most engineers contribute value is unclear in the literature. Analysis of published data and data from studies by the authors in engineering workplaces in Australia, South East Asia and Portugal suggests that the work performed by most engineers has little to do with innovation. Based on these data the authors identify 14 ways in which engineers create value. An important finding is that routine engineering performances by a majority of engineers, not associated with innovation or entrepreneurial activities, not only can be shown to create value, but also to protect accumulated value from inadvertent destruction. The paper outlines the educational implications of these findings and proposes measures that engineering educators can adopt to improve the understanding of engineering graduates about engineering value creation.

Education is the core of the factors that improved people for a better lifestyle and increases the level of society' development. Quality education is one of the most vital goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to actualizing these factors. Using relational network data envelopment analysis (DEA), which have three interrelated substages, this current paper computes the educational economy efficiency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries bearing in mind the characteristics related to SDGs. The contribution of our study is the use of a novel approach to computing the educational economy efficiency using relational network DEA with GAMS. Even though some interesting differences reveal in the efficiency of the countries, the findings show that countries with high-efficiency scores are clustered around countries like Latvia, Slovenia, and Korea.

Objectives: Unwarranted clinical variations in radical prostatectomy (RP) procedures are frequently reported, yet less attention is given to the variations in associated costs. This issue can further widen disparities in access to care and provoke questions about the overall value of the procedure. The present paper aimed to delve into the disparities in hospital, medical provider and out-of-pocket costs for RP procedures in Australia, discussing plausible causes and potential policy opportunities. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using Medibank Private claims data for RP procedures conducted in Australian hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020 was undertaken. Results: Considerable variations in both medical provider and out-of-pocket costs were observed across the country, with variations evident between different states or territories. Particularly striking were the discrepancies in the costs charged by medical providers, with a notable contrast between the 10th and 90th percentiles revealing a substantial difference of A$9925. Hospitals in Australia exhibited relatively comparable charges for RP procedures. Conclusions: Initiatives such as enhancing transparency regarding individual medical provider costs and implementing fee regulations with healthcare providers may be useful in curbing the variations in RP procedure costs. What is known about the topic? Unwarranted clinical variations in radical prostatectomy procedures are well documented in the literature; however, variations in cost are less widely reported. What does this paper add? This paper aims to highlight the cost variations in radical prostatectomy procedures in Australia, discussing their plausible causes, implications and proposing potential policy opportunities. What are the implications for practitioners? Excessive fees imposed by medical providers may contribute to inequalities in healthcare access. Enhancing transparency of individual medical provider costs and implementing fee regulations may be useful in controlling unwarranted variations in procedure costs. This article belongs to the Special Issue: Value-based Healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support broader global efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in economics, this paper provides a statistical picture of the gender composition of the economics profession in Australia and the evidence‐based initiatives taken by the Women in Economics Network (WEN) to improve women's representation and recognition. WEN's impact is evaluated across a range of metrics. This includes a case study of WEN's mentorship programme for university students that was delivered as a behavioural intervention and evaluated as a randomised control trial. Drawing on practical experiences in combination with research insights, the paper identifies some of the challenges encountered and the lessons that can be shared with similar organisations globally that are pursuing diversity and inclusion goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Perspective begins with a case study that raises two important questions: who is responsible for the existence of non-compliant Medicare billing, and who is responsible for eliminating it? In the discussion that follows, I argue, first, that the problem has been created by individual clinicians and by Medicare itself (i.e. the organisational structure that administers Medicare). Second, and more importantly, I argue that the ethical obligation to eliminate the problem extends more broadly to include both the government and the medical profession. What is known about the topic? The scale of non-compliant Medicare billing is contested. What does this paper add? This Perspective frames non-compliant Medicare billing (and denial of its existence) as a ubiquitous cultural problem. What are the implications for practitioners? Strategies aimed at reducing non-compliant Medicare billing need to target the normative behaviour of societal actors as well as individual practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a retrospective cohort study to measure the impact of caring for children on female Australian researchers. Our aim was to see whether caring for children was associated with reduced outputs and collaboration. Women were randomly selected for inclusion if they published a first author paper in one of three Australian journals during 2007 to 2015, women who did not publish during this time were not included. One-hundred and sixty women were approached and 95 (59%) completed a survey on their history of caring for children. Two key outcomes were the women's publication and citation counts, which were accessed from Scopus. We also examined the number of authors, affiliations and countries on their published papers, as a reduction in these numbers could indicate an impaired ability to collaborate. We examined the probability of being first or last author as a measure of esteem. There was a small increase in publication counts after the first child that was reversed after the second child. Average citations counts declined after children, particularly after the second child. There was some evidence of a reduced collaboration with overseas collaborators after the first child. The probability of being the last author increased after the second child. Three women were identified as statistically influential and all three had children and were in the top 10% of overall publications and citations. After removing these women the estimated changes in outcomes were noticeably different for most of the outcomes. The repeated presence of statistically influential women shows that it may be impossible to find an "average impact" of caring for children when considering research output. Adjustments may need to be made individually, with women explaining how caring for children has altered their career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current evidence suggests that chlamydia screening programmes can be cost-effective, conditional on assumptions within mathematical models. We explored differences in cost estimates used in published economic evaluations of chlamydia screening from seven countries (four papers each from UK and the Netherlands, two each from Sweden and Australia, and one each from Ireland, Canada and Denmark).Methods: From these studies, we extracted management cost estimates for seven major chlamydia sequelae. In order to compare the influence of different sequelae considered in each paper and their corresponding management costs on the total cost per case of untreated chlamydia, we applied reported unit sequelae management costs considered in each paper to a set of untreated infection to sequela progression probabilities. All costs were adjusted to 2013/2014 Great British Pound (GBP) values.Results: Sequelae management costs ranged from £171 to £3635 (pelvic inflammatory disease); £953 to £3615 (ectopic pregnancy); £546 to £6752 (tubal factor infertility); £159 to £3341 (chronic pelvic pain); £22 to £1008 (epididymitis); £11 to £1459 (neonatal conjunctivitis) and £433 to £3992 (neonatal pneumonia). Total cost of sequelae per case of untreated chlamydia ranged from £37 to £412.Conclusions: There was substantial variation in cost per case of chlamydia sequelae used in published chlamydia screening economic evaluations, which likely arose from different assumptions about disease management pathways and the country perspectives taken. In light of this, when interpreting these studies, the reader should be satisfied that the cost estimates used sufficiently reflect the perspective taken and current disease management for their respective context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the recent Productivity Commission report into mental health, the previous Federal Government announced its intention to produce a new national agreement that lays the platform for Australia's sixth national mental health plan. It has been recommended mental health move to a more regional model of governance and planning, away from a centralised, top‐down approach, partly in response to broader reforms affecting health care, and partly in direct response to consistent inquiry evidence that the mental health system remains in crisis. The past 30 years of mental health planning have been centralised. Successive national plans set a broad framework, with real decisions about mental health funding and service allocation made in the health departments of our capital cities. Will the next plan sponsor or inhibit regionality in mental health planning? This paper assesses Australia's historical approach to health planning particularly as it affected mental health and the costs arising. In learning these lessons, we propose the necessary ingredients to facilitate a regional, innovative, and effective approach to decentralised planning, for better mental health outcomes. We cannot afford to replicate the failed planning approaches of the past. Summary at a glance Mental health has been challenged to replace historical, centralised approaches for decentralised regional planning approaches to foster choice, innovation, and effective service provision. The past 30 years of central planning have demonstrated its limitations. Federal and State governments should create an enabling environment to free‐up local implementation and operationalise a social determinants approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known about the topic? When assessing real growth in costs, it is important to adjust for inflation through indexation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The change in prices or costs over time can be calculated in constant currency amounts by adjusting by a ratio of the CPI in the year of interest to the CPI in the baseline year. What does this paper add? Rosenberg et al. (2022) did not calculate out-of-pocket costs in constant currency, which does not give an accurate estimation of costs adjusted for inflation. What are the implications for practitioners? We calculated examples to illustrate the impact of such adjustments, which substantially impact the results of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The home care sector comprises one of Australia’s fastest growing workforces, yet few papers capture the overall landscape of Australian home care. This integrative review investigates home care with the aim of better understanding care recipients and their needs, funding, and regulation; care worker skills, tasks, demographics, employment conditions, and training needs. Over 2,700 pieces of literature were analyzed to inform this review. Results suggest sector fragmentation and a home care workforce who, although well-placed to improve outcomes for care recipients, are in need of better training and employment support. Suggestions for future research regarding Australian home care include studies that combine both aged and disability aspects of care, more research around care recipients, priority needs and strategies for addressing them, and how best to prepare home care workers for their roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Funding cuts to the aged care industry impact catering budgets and aged care staffing levels, which may in turn affect the nutritional status of aged care residents. This paper reports average food expenditure and trends in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Methods: This is a retrospective study collecting RACFs’ economic outlay data through a quarterly online survey conducted over the 2015 and 2016 financial years. Results: Data were compiled from 817 RACFs, representing 64 256 residential beds and 23 million bed‐days Australia‐wide. The average total spend in Australian Dollars (AUD) on catering consumables (including cutlery/crockery, supplements, paper goods) was $8.00 per resident per day (prpd) and $6.08 prpd when looking at the raw food and ingredients budget alone. Additional data from over half the RACFs (n = 456, 56%) indicate a 5% decrease in food cost ($0.31 prpd) in the last year, particularly in fresh produce, with a simultaneous 128% ($0.50 prpd) increase in cost for supplements and food replacements. Current figures are comparatively less than aged care food budgets internationally (US, UK and Canada), less than community‐dwelling older adults ($17.25 prpd) and 136% less than Australian corrective services ($8.25 prpd). Conclusions: The current spend on food in RACFs has decreased compared with previous years, reflecting an increasing reliance on supplements, and is significantly less than current community food spend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia in 2013 promised significant improvements in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. Although the scheme enables support, there are challenges associated with establishing eligibility and administering funds. This scoping review explored perceived barriers and enablers to effectively utilising the NDIS for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Method: A scoping review of the empirical literature on the NDIS and intellectual disabilities included nine studies in this review. These papers were subjected to thematic analysis and the findings were presented as a narrative synthesis. Results: The key themes identified were: (1) Limited understanding of the NDIS process; (2) Language use and capacity assumptions; (3) Unrealistic goals and progress, and difficulty utilising plans; (4) Expectations of families and associated workloads; (5) Opening up opportunities not previously available; (6) Knowledgeable planners who actively seek to involve adults and their families. Conclusion: Although qualitative studies demonstrate that adults with an intellectual disability and their families are largely satisfied with the increased opportunities the NDIS has afforded them, there are various areas in which accessibility to services can be improved. In order for the NDIS to continue to improve, the results from this scoping review underline the need for adults with an intellectual disability and their support systems to have their voices heard and be utilised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Prior research has investigated legitimation strategies in corporate annual reports in the for-profit sector. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this phenomenon in an NGO environment. It investigates Australian overseas aid agencies’ responses to criticism of the relief effort following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. It aims to determine whether voluntary annual report disclosures were reflective of impression management and/or of the discharge of functional accountability. Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies content analysis to compare the structure and content of the annual reports of 19 Australian overseas aid agencies before and after the Indian Ocean tsunami. Findings – Results suggest voluntary disclosure in annual reports significantly increased post-tsunami and was more consistent with impression management activity rather than functional accountability suggesting a response to the legitimacy challenge. The use of impression management tactics differed with agency size, with larger agencies using ingratiation in order to appear more attractive while smaller ones promoted their particular achievements. Originality/value – This paper makes a contribution by extending prior impression management and legitimacy literature to an NGO environment. It has implications for the development of these theories as it looks at organisations where the stakeholders are different from the for-profit sector and profits are not the main concern. It raises issues about the concept of accountability in the NGO sector, and how the nature of organisation reporting is changing to address the challenges of a sector where access to funds is highly competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Douglas Copland of the University of Melbourne was about to go abroad in 1933, a leading Australian businessman, Herbert Gepp, hailed him as the ' Keynes of the Commonwealth'. Gepp was referring to Copland's contributions to Australian economic policy, not that of the British Commonwealth, but there were similarities between Copland and John Maynard Keynes. In full flight, Copland impressed his compatriots with his prodigious work ethic, networking skills, persuasive powers with policy-makers, and practice of popularising economics in order to effect stabilisation policy. For a short time, there were two Keynes, one at the centre, the other at the periphery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article reports on findings that indicate how First Nations musical activities function as cultural determinants of health. Drawing on early findings from a 3-year Australian Research Council funded project titled The Remedy Project: First Nations Music as a Determinant of Health, we detail Australian and Ni Vanuatu First Nations musicians' reported outcomes of musical activity using a First Nations cultural determinants of health framework. The broader findings indicate that our respondents see musical activity as actively shaping all known domains of cultural health determinants, and some surrounding political and social determinants. However, this paper focusses specifically on the political and economic determinants that emerged in analysis as the most dominant subthemes. We argue that this study provides strong impetus for continued investigation and reconceptualization of the place of music in cultural health determinant models. Lay Summary: This article looks at how making and performing music, recording music and listening to music helps the health of First Nations peoples in Australia and Ni Vanuatu. Music is an important part of the lives of First Nations peoples from these places and so research was done to try to understand why it is meaningful. Music can be used as an outlet for personal feelings, and can also be a way that groups of people can express common concerns. First Nations musicians talked about how music makes them feel, and how music is used to strengthen relationships between people, and between people and their culture. Musicians also talked about how music helps them express their political and economic goals. The findings backed up existing First Nations' models of health that say that health for First Nations People's needs to be thought about in a holistic way. The findings also showed that the relationship between music and health needs to be studied more so that we can better understand how it helps maintain links with the past, gives a guide for the present and opens options for the future. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To retrospectively analyse the key factors associated with listing decisions by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for medicines for diabetes and its complications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Methods: The clinical and economic evidence were retrieved from public summary documents (PSD) of all major submissions between July 2005 and March 2020. A multivariate binary logit regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between the categorical explanatory variables and PBAC recommendations. Results: We identified a total of 211 PSD of which 118 (56%) were recommended for listing. Clinical and economic uncertainty were significantly and inversely associated with the PBAC recommendation. Submissions with high clinical and economic uncertainty were less likely to be recommended. Conclusion: Our findings will enhance the understanding of medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders about the rationale of PBAC reimbursement decisions for these medicines and assist prospective applicant sponsor companies in preparing their submissions. What is known about the topic? Most studies on Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) decisions focused mainly on the cost-effectiveness, while some assessed only the financial impact of medicines. A few PBAC studies analysed the reimbursement decisions for medicines targeting specific disease groups, e.g. oncology, orphan disease, and multiple sclerosis. What does this paper add? This study presents an in-depth retrospective analysis of the PBAC decisions for listing medicines related to diabetes and its complications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and contributes to the existing evidence-based knowledge of health technology assessment. What are the implications for practitioners? Our findings will enhance the understanding of medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders about the rationale of PBAC reimbursement decisions for these medicines and assist prospective applicant sponsor companies in preparing their submissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study explored publicly funded health system and patient expenditure in the post-acute phase following discharge from inpatient acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. The secondary aim was to explore sociodemographic and injury characteristics associated with high costs. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. 153 patients (ABI: n = 85; SCI: n = 68) who consented to the use of their Medicare data were recruited between March 2017 and March 2018, at the point of discharge from ABI or SCI specialist rehabilitation units. The main outcome measure involved linkage of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data for the 12 months following discharge from rehabilitation. Bayesian penalised regression was used to determine characteristics associated with high costs. Results: The median number of MBS items used in the 12 months after discharge was 33 (IQR: 21–52). General practitioners and allied health services were accessed by 100% and 41% of the cohort, respectively. The median MBS system cost (in Australian dollars) was $2006 (IQR: $162–$3090). Almost half (46%) of the participants had no MBS patient expenditure. The median PBS system cost was $541 (IQR: $62–$1574). For people with ABI, having a traumatic injury or one comorbidity was associated with lower PBS system costs by on average $119 and $134, respectively. We also found that hospitalisation in ABI was associated with higher PBS system costs, by on average $669. Conclusion: There was evidence of high and variable MBS and PBS costs, raising concerns about financial hardship. Future research should focus on identifying any unmet service and prescription needs in the post-acute rehabilitation phase for these populations. What is known about the topic? Acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury incur high long-term health costs, yet little is known about Medicare service use and costs in the early post-acute phase. What does this paper add? This study provides insight into service use and the burden of injury on Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme systems in the 12 months after hospital discharge. High and variable system and patient expenditure are most notable. What are the implications? Highly variable patient costs raise concerns about the access and affordability of sufficient healthcare services in the post-acute rehabilitation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the effect of a therapeutic equivalence program (TEP) in achieving financial sustainability from 2010–11 to 2014–15. Methods: A TEP was introduced at Monash Health in 2006–07. Therapeutic medicine classes for inclusion were selected by stakeholder consensus and a preferred medicine for each class was chosen based upon therapeutic equivalence and cost considerations. New patients were commenced on a preferred medicine, but patients already prescribed another medicine from the same therapeutic class were not automatically switched to the preferred medicine. Data was obtained retrospectively from the pharmacy dispensing system, including the purchasing and issuing of all medicines from the preferred medicine classes. The prescribing patterns for preferred and comparator medicines were used as a measure of acceptance of the TEP, along with the savings produced by the program. Results: Over the 5-year evaluation period, 18 therapeutic classes were targeted, including seven new classes. Six therapeutic classes from the 11 included in the TEP before 2010–11 were removed throughout the evaluation period when the comparative economic benefits were no longer present. The use of all preferred medicines increased following implementation and a total of AU$7.38 million was saved from 2010–11 to 2014–15 and AU$10.54 million across 2006–07 to 2014–15. Conclusions: This paper provides an update on the progress of the TEP at Monash Health and outlines additional learnings gained. The market dynamics for pharmaceuticals means ongoing maintenance and review of the therapeutic medicine classes targeted is important to enable continued economic benefits. What is known about the topic?: There is continued and increasing focus on efficient, cost-effective and financially sustainable medication management. There is limited information available on strategies that can be implemented at a health service level. What does this paper add?: The TEP has resulted in sustained savings. The market dynamics for pharmaceuticals means ongoing maintenance and review of the therapeutic classes targeted is important to enable continued economic benefits. What are the implications for practitioners?: TEP is a process of genuine disinvestment. Identification and resolution of critical factors in the success of the program may assist implementation at other health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore policy paths towards private health insurance (PHI) reform that might reduce out-of-pocket costs, restore public confidence and allow insurers to finance value-based care. Methods: This study used thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with informed opinion holders, including a politician, three former senior public servants and an industry lobbyist. Critical analysis of peer reviewed and grey literature was also conducted. Results: PHI regulation is contributing to unexpected out-of-pocket expenses and low-value care. Modification of existing tax incentives would be incapable of significantly increasing PHI coverage. Regulatory reform could restore confidence among policy holders by promoting value-based care, wherein health outcomes are measured and incentivised with remuneration. Conclusions: Targeted relaxation of out-of-hospital restrictions should be explored to promote value-based competition and facilitate bundled payments for chronic disease management and community services. To address out-of-pocket diagnostic and procedural costs, insurers should have more responsibility for private specialist's fees, including by financing the entire provider's bill through insurance and redirecting the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee to the insurer. What is known about the topic?: Healthcare expenditure and out-of-pocket costs have grown rapidly, while confidence and depth of coverage in private health insurance has declined, as has the fiscal appetite for expanding public financing for health care. What does this paper add?: This paper outlines the regulatory and policy factors that are contributing to low-value care and unmet expectations from insurance policy holders. It also maps the strategic terrain of the non-government health sector and considers feasible policy options for reforming the PHI industry that do not increase drawings on the public purse. What are the implications for practitioners?: An appreciation of the ongoing challenges to financing value-based care provision will inform key stakeholders, including policymakers and health service providers, as reforms are debated and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the case study of ketamine as a new treatment for severe depression is used to outline the challenges of repurposing established medicines and we suggest potential solutions. The antidepressant effects of generic racemic ketamine were identified over 20 years ago, but there were insufficient incentives for commercial entities to pursue its registration, or support for non-commercial entities to fill this gap. As a result, the evaluation of generic ketamine was delayed, piecemeal, uncoordinated, and insufficient to gain approval. Meanwhile, substantial commercial investment enabled the widespread registration of a patented, intranasal s-enantiomeric ketamine formulation (Spravato®) for depression. However, Spravato is priced at $600–$900/dose compared to ~$5/dose for generic ketamine, and the ~AUD$100 million annual government investment requested in Australia (to cover drug costs alone) has been rejected twice, leaving this treatment largely inaccessible for Australian patients 2 years after Therapeutic Goods Administration approval. Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that generic racemic ketamine is at least as effective as Spravato, but no comparative trials were required for regulatory approval and have not been conducted. Without action, this story will repeat regularly in the next decade with a new wave of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments, for which the original off-patent molecules could be available at low-cost and reduce the overall cost of treatment. Several systemic reforms are required to ensure that affordable, effective options become accessible; these include commercial incentives, public and public–private funding schemes, reduced regulatory barriers and more coordinated international public funding schemes to support translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex and interrelated trends in population and labour market dynamics in peripheral regions of developed countries have compelled them to use international skilled migration to address their skill shortages and facilitate economic development. Using the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia as a case study, this paper examines if and how these regions can benefit from a national policy for skilled migration, including the regional migration policy, which Australia has been operating since 1996-1997. The paper situates the regional migration policy in a context of the global competition for skills, explains how it came about and outlines the key characteristics of the NT as a peripheral region. An innovative approach to immigration data analysis permits formulating four propositions about the nature of international migration to peripheral regions. The analysis consists of tracking over a period of 17 years, the dynamics between all components of Australia's and the Northern Territory's permanent additions and comparing changes in the composition of their respective skilled migration streams. The paper proposes that peripheral regions benefit from skilled migration with a lagged effect as compared to Australia as a whole. It suggests that in order to better address skill shortages, they should also develop the capacity of the locally resident immigrant groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the likely economy-wide impacts of the complete shutdown of the motor vehicle industry on output and employment in Australia using the latest input-output (IO) table (2009-2010). Design/methodology/approach – Both supply- and demand-driven IO models are employed to determine the extent, and pattern, of the resulting output and job losses in upstream and downstream industries. An analysis of the first-order field of influence is also conducted to observe how output multipliers in other sectors respond to changes in the self-use-input-requirement of the professional, scientific and technical services (PSTS) industry. Findings – The PSTS industry (with a significant research and development (R & D) component and the highest forward linkage index) would be hardest hit with the collapse of the motor vehicle industry. Research limitations/implications – This paper identifies a number of industries that are more likely to be heavily influenced by the resulting lack of R & D in the PSTS industry in the near future. Unless more funding is allocated to other research and technology-intensive industries, the extinction of the motor vehicle industry, coupled with the recent budgetary cuts for strategic organisations such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, can reduce the positive spillover effects of R & D activities on the Australian economy. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine the effects of the shutdown of the motor vehicle industry on employment in Australia. The results also have broader implications for other developed countries that have declining motor vehicle industries. The findings suggest that the global decline in the motor vehicle industry can adversely affect investment in R & D in upstream and downstream industries. More generally, the results suggest that the shift in motor vehicle production to developing countries, will contribute to increased R & D intensity in them at the expense of developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the release of a working paper about tax in Australia by the Productivity Commission. It states that the paper highlights the tax reform options of the Australian government. It outlines the particular taxes of the federal government, state governments and local governments in the country.

The Australian economy has changed dramatically over the past quarter of a century. The combination of neoliberal reform, increasing dependence on natural resources, the rise of the services economy and the restructuring of the nation’s manufacturing sector has collectively transformed the national spatial economy. The publication of Fagan and Webber’s Global Restructuring: The Australian Experience in 1994 provided an overview of the shifting geographies of the nation’s economy as the country transitioned from relative stability during the ‘long boom’ after the Second World War into a period of rapid economic and policy change during the 1980s and 1990s. Despite the changes, Antipodean economic geography has, arguably, yet to gain new methodological or theoretical footing. The collection of papers in this special issue attempts to meet the challenge of a new direction to economic geography, reflecting on how this transition played out across different spatial and sectoral contexts, primarily in Australia. Papers documenting structural changes in the agricultural, automotive, creative industries, and energy sectors provide an understanding of how the convergence of political discourses, structural forces, and macroeconomic trends have interfaced with broad global shifts. Tying these together in the collection is a sustained focus on financialisation, particularly through globalised capital flows mediated through Australia’s major cities. Thus the collection of papers in this special issue moves beyond Global Restructuring’s roots in structural political economy to a more globally nuanced perspective on industrial transformation. This editorial concludes by making the case for a direction in economic geography that emerges beyond a methodological Antipodean focus towards a more relational and practice-driven approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflation leads individuals to work harder to spend and not carry their money holdings. Two alternative margins have been used to model this effect: the extensive margin (the frequency of shopping per period) and the intensive margin (the average shopping time per trip). This paper investigates how inflation affects these two margins. It deviates from the previous literature by allowing individuals to vary both margins simultaneously. The analysis reveals that the impact of inflation on these two margins is determined by the interaction between the opportunity cost of carrying money and direct search costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the importance and concept of idol attachment, model its antecedents and moderators and assess its influence on human brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach – This paper includes two studies. In Study 1, survey questionnaires were distributed by mall intercept to quasi-random samples across Australia and Taiwan for completion and return. The return yielded 1,135 and 736 usable questionnaires, respectively, from which the data were analysed using LISREL structural equation modelling software. In Study 2, an experiment was used to examine whether idol attractiveness is likely to positively moderate the relationship between vanity traits and attachment. Findings – The results suggest that achievement vanity, variety seeking and peer norms have a positive impact on the phenomenon of idol attachment, which in turn positively affects human brand loyalty. Contradicting previous studies, the physical appearance of vanity was not found to be associated with idol attachment. However, the results of the experiment show that idol attractiveness has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between vanity traits and human brand attachment. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that idol attachment is more complex than previously understood. The constructs chosen in this research represent an initial step but other variables such as liking, involvement, affective commitment and brand love are not taken into account. Future research models should therefore include such variables. Practical implications – The findings contain many practical lessons for planners of marketing strategy for the music industry in an international context. Originality/value – Two existing theories of psychology are integrated with the concept of idol attachment to explain human brand loyalty in an international context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of cross-sectoral linkages is vital to ensure economic diversification of an economy where natural resource production dominates. This paper examines the use of legal instruments in implementing economic diversification. It focuses on the use of policy, statute, and conditions attached to the grant of petroleum licenses by the State as legal tools to achieve economic diversification. Examining Norwegian economic diversification in the period 1970-1994, this paper concludes that the use of consistent and decisive government policy of building Norwegian industrial competency, implemented through statutes and licensing conditions, has successfully established cross-sectoral linkages built on the principles of economic diversification. Conversely, Australia has left economic diversification to market forces, which has resulted in minimal cross-sectoral linkages, and a decline in the industrial sector. Where government intervention has occurred, such as in the development of the Australian Marine Complex in Western Australia, successful cross-sectoral linkages have been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do public health advocates and practitioners encourage policy actors to address the social determinants of health? What strategies can be used to elevate healthy social policies onto government agendas? In this paper, we examine the case of Australia's first national paid parental leave scheme, announced in 2009 after decades of policy advocacy. This scheme provides job-protected leave and government-funded pay at the minimum wage for 18 weeks for eligible primary care givers on the birth of an infant, and has been shown to reduce health inequities. Drawing on documentary sources and interviews (n  = 25) with key policy actors, this paper traces the evolution of this landmark social policy in Australia, focusing on the role of actors, institutions and policy framings in setting the policy agenda. We find that advocates strategically deployed three different framings—for economy, gender equality and health—to drive paid parental leave onto the Government's agenda. They navigated barriers linked to power, gender ideology and cost, shifting tactics along the way by adopting different frames in various institutional settings and broadening their coalitions. Health arguments varied in different institutional settings and, at times, advocates selectively argued the economic or gender equality framing over health. The case illustrates the successful use of strategic pragmatism to provoke action, and raises broader lessons for advancing action on the social determinants of health. In particular, the case highlights the importance of adopting multiple synergistic policy framings to draw support from non-traditional allies and building coalitions to secure public policy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we review studies to understand how much households change their electricity consumption when there is a price change. Many studies find residential households have long‐term and short‐run elasticities behaving as economic theory would suggest. Long‐run elasticities range from −0.75 to −0.3, and short‐run elasticities range from −0.47 to −0.026. Household responsiveness seems to increase when paired with technology. The major gaps in research from the empirical economic literature are how low‐income and vulnerable Australian households could be affected by price changes and how Australians respond to within‐day variation in prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a broad range of common mental disorders and their comorbidity on health-related quality of life and functional disability. Methods: In all, 2734 Australians aged ≥18 years, recruited from the general community via Facebook during August–December 2014, completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, nine mental disorders, suicidal ideation and attempt. Outcome measures were health-related quality of life (assessed using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL)-4D measure and functional disability (days out of role). Results: Overall, 53.1% of the sample met criteria for at least one mental disorder. Participants with each of the 11 mental health problems had significantly lower mean AQoL-4D scores and significantly greater functional disability compared with not having the disorder (P < 0.001). A monotonic decrease in quality of life and an increase in functional disability were observed with an increased total number of comorbid disorders (P < 0.001). Accounting for disorder prevalence, annual economic burden for each mental disorder was estimated to be in the range of A$870 million–A$17 billion. Conclusions: Mental disorders negatively affect health-related quality of life and functional disability, exacerbated by increased comorbidity. The economic burden to participants and employers estimated in this study is of concern, and highlights the importance of evidence-based treatment and prevention approaches. What is known about the topic?: Mental disorders are associated with poorer health-related quality of life, increased functional disability and increased economic costs. What does this paper add?: This paper furthers our understanding of the associations of nine mental disorders, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with quality of life in an Australian setting, highlighting the considerable economic implications of these associations. Further, it reveals that comorbidity of mental disorders exacerbates reductions in quality of life and increased functional disability. What are the implications for practitioners?: The economic burden associated with lost productivity and quality of life for individuals with mental disorders is considerable. Therefore, prioritising funding to prevention and treatment using evidence-based approaches will have significant effect in terms of economic productivity and personal well-being for individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Realising the economic potential of research institutions, including medical research institutes, represents a policy imperative for many Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations. The assessment of research impact has consequently drawn increasing attention. Research impact assessment frameworks (RIAFs) provide a structure to assess research translation, but minimal research has examined whether alternative RIAFs realise the intended policy outcomes. This paper examines the objectives presented for RIAFs in light of economic imperatives to justify ongoing support for health and medical research investment, leverage productivity via commercialisation and outcome-efficiency gains in health systems, and ensure that translation and impact considerations are embedded into the research process. This paper sought to list the stated objectives for RIAFs, to identify existing frameworks and to evaluate whether the identified frameworks possessed the capabilities necessary to address the specified objectives.Methods: A scoping review of the literature to identify objectives specified for RIAFs, inform upon descriptive criteria for each objective and identify existing RIAFs. Criteria were derived for each objective. The capability for the existing RIAFs to realise the alternative objectives was evaluated based upon these criteria.Results: The collated objectives for RIAFs included accountability (top-down), transparency/accountability (bottom-up), advocacy, steering, value for money, management/learning and feedback/allocation, prospective orientation, and speed of translation. Of the 25 RIAFs identified, most satisfied objectives such as accountability and advocacy, which are largely sufficient for the first economic imperative to justify research investment. The frameworks primarily designed to optimise the speed of translation or enable the prospective orientation of research possessed qualities most likely to optimise the productive outcomes from research. However, the results show that few frameworks met the criteria for these objectives.Conclusion: It is imperative that the objective(s) for an assessment framework are explicit and that RIAFs are designed to realise these objectives. If the objectives include the capability to pro-actively drive productive research impacts, the potential for prospective orientation and a focus upon the speed of translation merits prioritisation. Frameworks designed to optimise research translation and impact, rather than simply assess impact, offer greater promise to contribute to the economic imperatives compelling their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the costs of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) in one local health district in Australia and compare the costs and consequences of an intervention-based program with current practice to reduce HAPI incidence and prevalence. Methods: A retrospective cost–consequence analysis was conducted using HAPI incidence rate per occupied bed days, point prevalence rates, Australian Refined-Diagnosis Related Group (AR-DRG) costs and the costs of the program to reduce the HAPI rate. Data were analysed for two phases: preprogram implementation (1 June 2015–1 June 2016) and postprogram implementation (1 August 2016–31 July 2017). Results: The HAPI intervention-based program resulted in a 51.4% reduction in the incidence of HAPI (from 1.46 per occupied bed day in 2014 to 0.71 per occupied bed day in 2017) and a 71.6% reduction in the prevalence of HAPI (from 6.7% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2017). The occurrence of HAPI added an average cost of A$3332 per episode, such that the overall program, including implementation, reduced costs by A$837 387. The greatest cost reduction was due to the cessation of washable and disposable underpads. The largest contributor to the cost of HAPI prevention was for education and training regarding HAPI prevention initiatives. Conclusions: The HAPI intervention-based program halved the incidence and substantially reduced the prevalence of HAPI, with a 23.1% cost saving compared with the previous approach to preventing HAPIs. What is known about the topic?: HAPIs are costly to the individual, the organisation and health system. The prevention of HAPIs is a priority in Australia. There is limited research on the economic effect of HAPIs and the costs and consequences for hospitals of implementation strategies to reduce their incidence. What does this paper add?: This paper informs health policy and decision makers about the costs and consequences for a local health district of a program to reduce and prevent HAPIs. This paper reports the economic effect of HAPIs, including hospital episode costs per HAPI and length of stay, on one local health district. What are the implications for practitioners?: This cost–consequence analysis has shown that the program to reduce HAPIs resulted in a reduction in expenditure and positive patient outcomes. Such a program is potentially transferable to other healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the impact of a major life event–death–on the physical, psychological and social well-being of the deceased’s close friends. We utilised data from a large longitudinal survey covering a period of 14 years (2002–2015) consisting a cohort of 26,515 individuals in Australia, of whom 9,586 had experienced the death of at least one close friend. This longitudinal cohort dataset comprises responses to the SF-36 (health related quality of life measure) and allowed for analysis of the short and longer-term impacts of bereavement. In order to manage the heterogeneity of the socio-demographics of respondents who did/not experience a death event, we use a new and robust approach known as the Entropy Balancing method to construct a set of weights applied to the bereaved group and the control group (the group that did not experience death). This approach enables us to match the two groups so that the distribution of socio-demographic variables between the two groups are balanced. These variables included gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, personality traits, religion, relative socio-economic disadvantage, economic resources, and education and occupation and where they resided. The data show, for the first time, a range of negative and enduring consequences experienced by people following the death of a close friend. Significant adverse physical and psychological well-being, poorer mental health and social functioning occur up to four years following bereavement. Bereaved females experienced a sharper fall in vitality, suffered greater deterioration in mental health, impaired emotional and social functioning than the male counterparts up to four years after the death. The data show that the level of social connectedness plays an important role in bereavement outcomes. Specifically, we found that less socially active respondents experienced a longer deterioration in physical and psychological health. Finally, we found evidence that the death of a close friend lowered the respondent’s satisfaction with their health. Since death of friends is a universal phenomenon, we conclude the paper by reflecting on the need to recognise the death of a close friend as a substantial experience, and to offer support and services to address this disenfranchised grief. Recognising bereaved friends as a group experiencing adverse outcomes can be used internationally to prompt health and psychological services to assist this specific group, noting that there may be substantial longevity to the negative sequelae of the death of a friend. Facilitating bereaved people’s support networks may be a fruitful approach to minimising these negative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The security impact of illegal fishing is not well understood. Where illegal fishing is recognised as a security problem, the focus has been on fish as a natural resource, the depletion of which can have impacts on food security, individual livelihoods, and the economic survival of states relying on illegal fishing. We argue that a focus on fish as a natural resource obscures the other security challenges the crime of illegal fishing poses to Australia. As this paper explains, illegal fishing overlaps with drug, human, weapon and other contraband trafficking and smuggling; irregular maritime arrivals; and maritime piracy. In addition, like other easily transported, high value resources, illegal fish can fund insurgencies and other types of political violence. Understanding illegal fishing as a security challenge will improve Australia's national security policy. First, it acknowledges fish as a vital natural resource, implicated in economic, ecological, and human security; second, it analyses how illegal fishing interlinks with other maritime crimes; third, it challenges the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement of illegal fishing; fourth, it presents an opportunity for effective regional cooperation; and finally it highlights the benefits of regional cooperation in responding to illegal fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the potential savings to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) in 2015–16 if biosimilar versions of selected biologic medicines (biologics) had been available and listed on the PBS. Methods: The research involved retrospective analysis of Australian Medicare expenditure data and PBS price data from 2015–16 for biologics, for which biosimilar competition may be available in future, listed on the PBS. Results: Australian Government expenditure on biologics on the PBS and RPBS was estimated at A$2.29 billion dollars in 2015–16. If biosimilar versions of these medicines had been listed on the PBS in 2015–16, at least A$367 million dollars would have been saved in PBS and RPBS subsidies. Modelling based on price decreases following listing of biosimilars on the PBS suggests that annual PBS outlays on biologics could be reduced by as much as 24% through the timely introduction of biosimilars. Conclusions: Biologic medicines represent a large proportion of government expenditure on pharmaceuticals. Reducing the length of monopoly protections on these medicines could generate savings of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. What is known about the topic?: Biologics take up an increasing share of pharmaceutical expenditure, but no previous published studies have examined Australian Government expenditure on biologics or the potential savings from reducing the duration of monopoly protection. What does this paper add?: This paper provides new evidence about Australian Government expenditure on biologics and potential savings for selected medicines that are still subject to monopoly protection and thus are not yet subject to biosimilar competition. In 2015–16 Australian Government expenditure on biologics through the PBS and RPBS was estimated at A$2.29 billion dollars. If biosimilar versions of these medicines had been listed on the PBS at that time, at least A$367 million dollars would have been saved. What are the implications for practitioners?: Reducing the duration of monopoly protection on biologic medicines could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually that could be redirected to other areas of the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Since legislative changes in 2010, certain health care services provided by privately practising nurse practitioners (PPNPs) in Australia have been eligible for reimbursement under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The aim of the present study was to describe survey results relating to the care provided by PPNPs subsidised through the MBS and PBS. Methods: PPNPs in Australia were invited to complete an electronic survey exploring their practice activities. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for percentages where relevant. Free text data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Seventy-three PPNPs completed the survey. The most common form of payment reported (34%; n = 25) was payment by direct fee for service (MBS rebate only, also known as bulk billing). Seventy-five per cent of participants (n = 55) identified that there were aspects of care delivery not adequately described and compensated by the current nurse practitioner (NP) MBS item numbers. 87.7% (n = 64) reported having a PBS prescriber authorisation number. Themes identified within the free text data that related to the constraints of the MBS and PBS included 'duplication of services' and 'level of reimbursement'. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that PPNPs are providing subsidised care through the MBS and PBS. The PPNPs in the present study reported challenges with the current structure and breadth of the NP MBS and PBS items, which restrict them from providing complete episodes of patient care. What is known about the topic?: Since the introduction of legislative changes in 2010, services provided by PPNPs in Australia have been eligible for subsidisation through the MBS and PBS. What does this paper add?: This paper provides data on PPNPs' provision of care subsidised through the MBS and PBS. What are the implications for practitioners?: Eligibility to provide care subsidised through the MBS and PBS has enabled the establishment of PPNP services. The current breadth and structure of the NP MBS and PBS item numbers have restricted the capacity of PPNPs to provide complete episodes of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to identify the number, costs and reported injury mechanisms of serious injury claims for allied health professionals. Methods: Using Australian Workers' Compensation injury data, the number, mechanism, and costs of injury claims were calculated for eight groups of allied health professions (chiropractors and osteopaths, speech pathologists and audiologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, podiatrists, social workers and prosthetists/orthotists) between the 2000–01 and 2013–14 financial years. Workforce injury rates were calculated using the 2011 Australian Census Workforce data (denominator) and 2011 Workers' Compensation Statistics claims data (numerator). Results: Across the allied health professions, 7023 serious injuries (minimum 5 days absence from work) were recorded with an associated total compensation cost of A$201 970 000. Fewer than 1.5% of each allied health professional group had an injury claim, with the exception of prosthetists/orthotists who had a rate of 25.9% serious injury claims (95% confidence interval 21.9–30.4). The average cost per claim varied across the allied health professions, from the lowest cost of A$19 091 per injury for occupational therapists to the highest of A$48 466 per claim in chiropractic and osteopathy. Body stressing followed by mental stress were the most common mechanisms of injury. Conclusions: Mechanism of injury, both physical and psychosocial, were identified. Prosthetists/orthotists are at the highest risk of workplace injury of all allied health professions. This suggests the need for further investigation and development of appropriately targeted injury prevention programs for each allied health profession. What is known about this topic?: Retention of allied health professionals is a significant issue, with workplace injuries identified as one contributing factor to this problem. Healthcare workers are potentially at high risk of injury as they are exposed to a range of physical and psychosocial hazards in their workplace. What does this paper add?: This paper is the first to report on serious injuries, minimum 5 days absence from work, from Australian Workers' Compensation data, across a range of allied health professions. Various allied health professions were examined to identify the number, mechanism and cost of serious workplace injuries finding there is an average of 500 serious claims per year at a cost of A$14 million. Prosthetists/orthotists were identified as having the highest proportion of claims per workforce population. What are the implications for practitioners?: These results suggest highly varied injury rates across allied health professions. Compensation data does not enable accurate identification of causal factors. Further work is required to identify relevant causal factors so that targeted risk reduction strategies can be developed to reduce workforce injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Australian policy reports recommended schools to be leveraged to better support student mental health, with a focus on regional and rural areas where students have poorer mental health outcomes. In designing solutions to address this systemic gap, decision‐makers require an understanding of the barriers and facilitators experienced by regional and rural schools. However, current literature has focused on metropolitan schools and neglected to explore facilitators. Objective: To review the evidence on barriers and facilitators in delivering student mental health support experienced by regional and rural schools in Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development nations. Design: A mixed‐methods systematic review of peer‐reviewed and grey literature. Findings: The search identified 4819 studies. A full‐text review by 2 reviewers resulted in 5 papers, which met the inclusion criteria and were assessed using methodological appraisal. One study used qualitative data, 2 studies used quantitative data, and 2 studies were a mixed‐methods design. Discussion: While there was a paucity of studies, this review draws together the most up‐to‐date research. The barriers and facilitators were categorised into 3 themes: access to services and resources; mental health literacy of staff and parents; and communication and collaboration between stakeholders. Conclusion: This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the literature and highlights opportunities to leverage rural and regional schools to support student mental health, focusing on the quality of communication and collaboration, and increasing access to services and resources, and mental health literacy. Research should explore the unique advantages of rural and regional areas to inform policy, including a focus on strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most evident casualties of a natural disaster is the property market. The private and social costs from such events run into millions of dollars. In this paper, we use a unique dataset to examine the impact on residential house prices affected by natural disasters using a hedonic property (HP) values approach. For this purpose, we use data before and after a wildfire and floods from Rockhampton in central Queensland, Australia. The data is unique because one suburb was affected by wildfires and another was affected by floods. For the analysis, three suburbs namely Frenchville, Park Avenue and Norman Gardens are used. Frenchville was significantly affected by wildfires in the latter part of 2009 and to a lesser extent in 2012, while Park Avenue was affected by floods at the end of 2010, January 2011-2013. Norman Gardens, which was relatively unaffected, is used as a control site. This enables us to examine the before and after effects on property values in the three suburbs. The results confirm that soon after a natural disaster property prices in affected areas decrease even though the large majority of individual houses remain unaffected. Furthermore, the results indicate that the largely unaffected suburb may gain immediately after a natural disaster but this gain may disappear if natural disasters continue to occur in the area/region due to the stigma created. The results have several important policy decision and welfare implications which are briefly discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Australian government health expenditure per capita has grown steadily across the past few decades, but little is known about trends in the age distribution of health expenditure. Methods. In this paper, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) fiscal incidence studies, which track expenditure at the household level between 1984 and 2010, are used to shed light on this topic. Results. The main finding was that spending has shifted focus from the younger half to the older half of the population. This shift is evident in three areas: (1) acute care (hospitals); (2) community health services (doctors); and (3) pharmaceuticals. Together, these areas account for approximately 88% of expenditure. The trend is independent of demographic aging. It is unlikely to reflect changes in population health. Its explanation is open to debate. Conclusions. Growth in expenditure per household has been more than threefold faster for elderly than young households. Across this period, expenditure per household per week has increased by 51% for the young, by 79% for the middle aged and by 179% for the elderly. This age-related growth is most prominent in expenditure on acute care, community health services and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the style of analysis of Fagan and Webber’s Global Restructuring, this paper examines the marketisation, privatisation and globalisation of Australia’s electricity generation and transmission sectors. This paper shows how, in Australia’s spatially dispersed and politically fragmented space-economy, marketisation and privatisation policies tend to produce oligopolistic industries with the capacity to thwart market-based regulation. A case study of the vertically integrated and diversified firm AGL reveals the changing nature of globalisation, the shifting relationships between states and firms, and the limits of marketisation policies in small spatially dispersed economies.* [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study asks 'Is capital investment in Australian public hospitals effectively funding patient access to efficient hospital care?' Methods: The study drew information from semistructured interviews with senior health infrastructure officials, literature reviews and World Health Organization (WHO) reports. To identify which systems most effectively fund patient access to efficient hospitals, capital allocation systems for 17 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries were assessed. Results: Australian government objectives (equitable access to clinically appropriate, efficient, sustainable, innovative, patient-based) for acute health services are not directly addressed within Australian capital allocation systems for hospitals. Instead, Australia retains a prioritised hospital investment system for institutionally based asset replacement and capital planning, aligned with budgetary and political priorities. Australian systems of capital allocation for public hospitals were found not to match health system objectives for allocative, productive and dynamic efficiency. Australia scored below average in funding patient access to efficient hospitals. The OECD countries most effectively funding patient access to efficient hospital care have transitioned to diagnosis-related group (DRG) aligned capital funding. Measures of effective capital allocation for hospitals, patient access and efficiency found mixed government–private–public partnerships performed poorly with inferior access to capital than DRG-aligned systems, with the worst performing systems based on private finance. Conclusion: Australian capital allocation systems for hospitals do not meet Australian government standards for the health system. Transition to a diagnosis-based system of capital allocation would align capital allocation with government standards and has been found to improve patient access to efficient hospital care. What is known about the topic?: Very little is known about the effectiveness of Australian capital allocation for public hospitals. In Australia, capital is rarely discussed in the context of efficiency, although poor built capital and inappropriate technologies are acknowledged as limitations to improving efficiency. Capital allocated for public hospitals by state and territory is no longer reported by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare due to problems with data reliability. International comparative reviews of capital funding for hospitals have not included Australia. Most comparative efficiency reviews for health avoid considering capital allocation. The national review of hospitals found capital allocation information makes it difficult to determine 'if we have it right' in terms of investment for health services. Problems with capital allocation systems for public hospitals have been identified within state-based reviews of health service delivery. The Productivity Commission was unable to identify the cost of capital used in treating patients in Australian public hospitals. Instead, building and equipment depreciation plus the user cost of capital (or the cost of using the money invested in the asset) are used to estimate the cost of capital required for patient care, despite concerns about accuracy and comparability. What does this paper add?: This is the first study to review capital allocation systems for Australian public hospitals, to evaluate those systems against the contemporary objectives of the health systems and to assess whether prevailing Australian allocation systems deliver funds to facilitate patient access to efficient hospital care. This is the first study to evaluate Australian hospital capital allocation and efficiency. It compares the objectives of the Australian public hospitals system (for universal access to patient-centred, efficient and effective health care) against a range of capital funding mechanisms used in comparable health systems. It is also the first comparative review of international capital funding systems to include Australia. What are the implications for practitioners?: Clinical quality and operational efficiency in hospitals require access for all patients to technologically appropriate hospitals. Funding for appropriate public hospital facilities, medical equipment and information and communications technology is not connected to activity-based funding in Australia. This study examines how capital can most effectively be allocated to provide patient access to efficient hospital care for Australian public hospitals. Capital investment for hospitals that is patient based, rather than institutionally focused, aligns with higher efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop and examine a profile of the demographic, hospital admission and clinical characteristics of high users of hospital resources within a cohort of privately insured Australians. Methods: Hospital admissions claims data from a group of private health insurance funds were analysed. The top 1% of hospital users were selected based on three measures of resource utilisation: number of admissions, total bed days and total insurance benefits paid. The demographic, hospital admission and clinical characteristics data were compared for these three measures of resource utilisation. Results: Compared with the general insured population, the three high-use cohorts are older, have more public hospital admissions and have more same-day admissions. The three high-use cohorts have the same top five principal diagnosis categories. These five categories account for more than two-thirds of admissions. The top 1% of users is responsible for a large proportion of total resource utilisation, accounting for 13% of total costs and 21% of total bed days. Conclusions: The highest users of hospital resources have a distinct profile, accounting for a large proportion of total resource utilisation for a narrow range of health conditions. The age and hospital admission profile of this group suggest both policy and service considerations for the targeting of interventions to support this high-needs group. What is known about this topic?: Statistics are regularly published on the uptake and use of private health insurance in Australia but there is little detailed information on resource utilisation in specific subgroups, particularly those with the highest levels of hospitalisation. What does this paper add?: This paper provides a profile of high resource utilisation among a privately insured cohort, describing demographic, hospital admission and clinical characteristics across three measures of resource utilisation. Patterns of use are detailed in this profile, for example the top 1% of users have a higher proportion of public hospital admissions as a private patient. The clinical profile of admissions was similar for the three measures of resource utilisation and there was considerable overlap in the individuals categorised in each high-use group. What are the implications for practitioners?: The narrow demographic and clinical profile of the high resource utilisation groups shows a chronic disease burden that is different to the focus of current chronic disease policy measures. The high-use conditions identified in this study are less amenable to preventive measures and new strategies may be required to target this high-needs group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As a country largely free of the corruption that bedevils the defence procurement of many of Australia's Asian neighbours, it is generally assumed that Australia's national security interests, together with value for money, are the paramount criteria for Australia's defence procurement. This is an assumption, however, that deserves critical interrogation, particularly with respect to the influence that domestic politics can have on strategic decisions. This article investigates the Australian government's 2016 decision to acquire land‐based anti‐ship missiles. To do so, it adapts Putnam's two‐level game to a defence policy context, enabling the incorporation of both realist and domestic political factors, including the influence of interest groups. I find a plausible case that the influence of the resources sector and constituents of Australia's northwest, as well as the corporate interests of the Australian army in asserting a greater role in Australian defence strategy, may have been significant in the decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia’s several major mining booms since the 1840s have impacted positively on national economic growth and non-trivially on the competitiveness of other sectors of its economy. This paper shows the latter to be consistent with economic theory only when sectoral policy developments are taken into consideration. It reveals several features that make the sectoral composition of Australia’s economy unusual. One is that the manufacturing share of GDP was unusually high until protectionism was phased out from the 1970s. Another is that the farm sector continued to enjoy a strong comparative advantage despite mining booms and high rates of assistance to import-competing manufacturers. Also, the agricultural and services sectors’ shares of GDP remained fairly constant rather than diverging during 1860-1960. The paper concludes by drawing out implications for future policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]