Media & Commentary
Media Items
Government debt in Australia unlikely to reduce in the next five years
A report released today by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) found that government debt in Australia is unlikely to reduce in the next five years because of unrealistic estimates of output and revenue growth. Beyond the Bottom Line: Government... Read article

Report finds older Western Australians happier, healthier
A report released today by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), that addresses critical issues of population ageing in Western Australia, has found distinct differences between older people in Western Australia and the rest of Australia. Findings showed that on... Read article

Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs in the workplace an ongoing trend
Curtin University research has identified the industry and occupational groups in the Australian workforce that have a greater tendency to use legally-prescribed and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes. The study focused on whether any differences exist between workers in... Read article

China: not the “be all and end all” for WA trade
A report released today (Wednesday 16 September) by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) has emphasised the need to diversify Western Australia’s exports and widen our trading partnerships beyond China to maximise growth opportunities and strengthen WA’s economy. The Tiger,... Read article

FactCheck Q&A: Are a lot of cafes and restaurants closing because of Sunday penalty rates?
The Conversation is fact-checking claims made on Q&A, broadcast Mondays on the ABC at 9:35pm. Thank you to everyone who sent us quotes for checking. Viewers can request statements to be FactChecked via Twitter using hashtags #FactCheck and #QandA, on... Read article

Australians less likely to survive home ownership than Britons
Between 2001 and 2010 roughly 1.7 million Australians dropped out of home ownership and shifted back to renting. More than one-third did not return by 2010. These statistics, from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, reflect... Read article

Report reveals WA has highest payroll tax in Australia
A report released today (Wednesday 29 July) by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) reveals payroll tax, labour costs and wages to be the most significant cost pressures experienced by Western Australian businesses. The report uses this information to provide... Read article

Leaders debate the GST
Leaders debate the GST: what you need to know Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra; Alan Duncan, Curtin University; John Daley, Grattan Institute; Patricia Apps, University of Sydney, and Roger Wilkins, University of Melbourne State premiers and chief ministers meet Prime... Read article

The real reasons negative gearing on housing should be phased out
In recent weeks, there have been signs sentiment may be changing around the contentious policy of negative gearing. There are well-rehearsed arguments on both sides. Critics argue that the deduction of property losses from other sources of income (such as... Read article

Top households have 200 times the savings of the bottom
A new report released today (Wednesday 17 June) by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) finds that the inequality in the distribution of household savings is considerably worse than the much talked about inequality in incomes. Beyond our Means? Household... Read article

Australians are saving more, but are more comfortable with debt
Alan Duncan, Curtin University and Rebecca Cassells, Curtin University Australians know that adequate savings can help provide for a rainy day, help a family put down a deposit on a home, or ensure a comfortable retirement. Debt also offers a... Read article

Research finds working from home is good for families
A study released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) has found that working from home benefits businesses, employees and other members of the family. Associate Professor Mike Dockery, Principal Lead Research Fellow at BCEC, examined how employees’ working patterns... Read article
