Publications
Family and domestic violence in Australia: is enough progress being made?
Family and domestic violence (FDV) is one of the most pervasive and significant social, health and welfare challenges in the society we live in, not just in Australia but across the world. Reports of femicide or violence against women are... Read article
Family and domestic violence (FDV) is one of the most pervasive and significant social, health and welfare challenges in the society we live in, not just in Australia but across the world. Reports of femicide or violence against women are... Read article
University student debts and the cost-of-living crisis: What are the major parties offering to young Australians?
There is a broad consensus that the cost-of-living ‘crisis’ is the foremost issue on voters’ minds as we head toward the May 3 Federal election. Declining housing affordability is one key area in which household budgets are being stretched, whether... Read article
There is a broad consensus that the cost-of-living ‘crisis’ is the foremost issue on voters’ minds as we head toward the May 3 Federal election. Declining housing affordability is one key area in which household budgets are being stretched, whether... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – March 2025
A modest rebound in employment after February’s surprise fall in jobs. Unemployment remains low and stable. Global uncertainty adding to likelihood of a May interest rate cut. Labour market steady in pre-election jobs figures The key interest in the labour... Read article
A modest rebound in employment after February’s surprise fall in jobs. Unemployment remains low and stable. Global uncertainty adding to likelihood of a May interest rate cut. Labour market steady in pre-election jobs figures The key interest in the labour... Read article
Trade and US Tariffs: Explainer and lessons for Australia
This BCEC Federal Election 2025 Briefing Note assesses trade and US tariffs, including an explanation and learnings for Australia. Through the imposition of trade tariffs, the US administration has fundamentally disrupted the global economic landscape, posing new challenges to economies... Read article
This BCEC Federal Election 2025 Briefing Note assesses trade and US tariffs, including an explanation and learnings for Australia. Through the imposition of trade tariffs, the US administration has fundamentally disrupted the global economic landscape, posing new challenges to economies... Read article
The impact of minimum wages on overall health and well-being: Global evidence from the Gallup World Poll
Highlights We examine how minimum wage increases impact overall health and well-being. Our analysis uses Gallup World Poll data (2009–2020) from 87 countries worldwide. Higher minimum wages improve health and certain aspects of well-being. The effects likely arise from both... Read article
Highlights We examine how minimum wage increases impact overall health and well-being. Our analysis uses Gallup World Poll data (2009–2020) from 87 countries worldwide. Higher minimum wages improve health and certain aspects of well-being. The effects likely arise from both... Read article
The costs and benefits of implementing a universal reproductive health leave entitlement in Australia
The Health Services Union (HSU), the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) and Aware Super have engaged the services of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) to assess the cost of implementing a universal... Read article
The Health Services Union (HSU), the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) and Aware Super have engaged the services of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) to assess the cost of implementing a universal... Read article
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Annual Report 2024
In 2024, the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre made significant strides in building its national reputation while continuing to address key economic and social issues in Western Australia. Our research and policy advice gained greater visibility and influence at both state... Read article
In 2024, the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre made significant strides in building its national reputation while continuing to address key economic and social issues in Western Australia. Our research and policy advice gained greater visibility and influence at both state... Read article
Greener horizons: Economic freedom as a catalyst for the global energy transition
Major advanced and emerging economies are setting targets to achieve an ambitious net zero emission target plan by 2050 to address climate change and ensure sustainable development. However, achieving this transition requires significant structural changes not only in energy mixes... Read article
Major advanced and emerging economies are setting targets to achieve an ambitious net zero emission target plan by 2050 to address climate change and ensure sustainable development. However, achieving this transition requires significant structural changes not only in energy mixes... Read article
Crimes of the current: Natural disasters and crime in Kenya
Highlights Exposure to natural disasters increases the risk of experiencing crime. Experiences of theft and physical attack increase, as does the fear of crime. Qualitative data suggests the role of cost-benefit considerations in crime. Abtract This paper studies the link... Read article
Highlights Exposure to natural disasters increases the risk of experiencing crime. Experiences of theft and physical attack increase, as does the fear of crime. Qualitative data suggests the role of cost-benefit considerations in crime. Abtract This paper studies the link... Read article
Mining and mistrust in government
Natural resource extraction can undermine institutions through its negative impact on corruption and public goods provision, potentially affecting individual trust in local government. We examine this conjecture by combining geo-referenced survey data with spatial data on mine locations across 28... Read article
Natural resource extraction can undermine institutions through its negative impact on corruption and public goods provision, potentially affecting individual trust in local government. We examine this conjecture by combining geo-referenced survey data with spatial data on mine locations across 28... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – February 2025
— Surprise 52,800 drop in the number of persons employed. — — Unemployment rate remains at 4.1 per cent thanks to big drop in participation. — — Direction of labour market difficult to read amidst volatility and revisions to previous... Read article
— Surprise 52,800 drop in the number of persons employed. — — Unemployment rate remains at 4.1 per cent thanks to big drop in participation. — — Direction of labour market difficult to read amidst volatility and revisions to previous... Read article
Executive Summary: Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world
This Executive Summary is a printable summary of the key findings and recommendations from the BCEC report, Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the priorities and perspectives of young Australians, offering... Read article
This Executive Summary is a printable summary of the key findings and recommendations from the BCEC report, Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the priorities and perspectives of young Australians, offering... Read article
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre team acknowledges the Wadjuk Nyungar people as the traditional owners of the land on which the Centre is situated.