Professional work experience - private sector
This page provides links to examples of work I have led/contributed to in various professional economist roles across the private sector. These include senior roles at:
- Australian Industry Group (Chief Economist)
- Deloitte Access Economics (Director, Economics)
Australian Industry Group
While I was Chief Economist at the Australian Industry Group I led a team of economists on various publications, submissions to Governments and analyses for members.
While I was Chief Economist at the Australian Industry Group I led a team of economists on various publications, submissions to Governments and analyses for members.
I led the production and publication of the following leading indicators of economic activity in the Australian economy with links below to current editions of these reports:
Australian Industry Group Performance of Construction Index (PCI)
Australian Industry Group Performance of Services Index (PSI)
Australian Industry Group Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI)
While at the Australian Industry Group, I also led the analysis and publication of reports on behalf of members on business conditions and policy reforms. These included the following:
The Australian Industry Group National CEO Survey Report: Business Regulation
Summary:
The survey report results suggest the following are immediate priorities to ensure that the regulatory burden is reduced and that regulations facilitate business innovation and growth:
- Accelerate the implementation of the recent COAG reform initiatives.
- Review State government based initiatives and programs related to reducing the regulatory burden for effectiveness and robustness of claimed estimates of burden reductions achieved. This also includes reconsidering the methodologies for measuring the impacts of regulatory reform initiatives.
- The regulatory impact statement process needs to be applied consistently and transparently to reduce inefficient regulation.
- Improve regulatory agency interaction with the business community on regulatory changes and proposals. Consultation is crucial and governments should introduce less onerous consultation processes which attract business participation.
- Examine the quality and nature of regulation and how efficiently regulatory agencies administer these regulations.
- There is merit in the Australian National Audit Office Better Practice Guide to Administering Regulation being adopted by Australian regulators at all levels of government. Moreover, regular ‘health checks’ to ensure regulatory agencies are efficiently implementing regulations and not imposing additional and unnecessary burdens on business should be initiated.
Summary:
The survey report results suggest the following are immediate priorities to ensure that the regulatory burden is reduced and that regulations facilitate business innovation and growth:
- Accelerate the implementation of the recent COAG reform initiatives.
- Review State government based initiatives and programs related to reducing the regulatory burden for effectiveness and robustness of claimed estimates of burden reductions achieved. This also includes reconsidering the methodologies for measuring the impacts of regulatory reform initiatives.
- The regulatory impact statement process needs to be applied consistently and transparently to reduce inefficient regulation.
- Improve regulatory agency interaction with the business community on regulatory changes and proposals. Consultation is crucial and governments should introduce less onerous consultation processes which attract business participation.
- Examine the quality and nature of regulation and how efficiently regulatory agencies administer these regulations.
- There is merit in the Australian National Audit Office Better Practice Guide to Administering Regulation being adopted by Australian regulators at all levels of government. Moreover, regular ‘health checks’ to ensure regulatory agencies are efficiently implementing regulations and not imposing additional and unnecessary burdens on business should be initiated.
Australian industry Group and Deloitte Private National CEO Survey Report: Growth strategies for business
Summary:
- The growth strategies taken by businesses vary between sectors and by size of business.
- Businesses consider increasing market share as the most important growth strategy, followed by the formation of alliances and/or mergers and acquisitions.
- Alliances and/or mergers and acquisitions is regarded as the second most important growth strategy in the manufacturing and construction sectors, whereas it is adding value to existing products or services for the services sectors.
- These results are likely to reflect the higher need to exploit economies of scale in manufacturing and construction businesses in order to improve
cost competitiveness.
- Funding sources: Retained earnings are the most preferred source of finance for businesses over the next two years. This result is expected as borrowing costs are likely to increase in the foreseeable future.
- Businesses generally plan to rely on retained earnings to finance attempts to increase their respective market shares in upturns.
Summary:
- The growth strategies taken by businesses vary between sectors and by size of business.
- Businesses consider increasing market share as the most important growth strategy, followed by the formation of alliances and/or mergers and acquisitions.
- Alliances and/or mergers and acquisitions is regarded as the second most important growth strategy in the manufacturing and construction sectors, whereas it is adding value to existing products or services for the services sectors.
- These results are likely to reflect the higher need to exploit economies of scale in manufacturing and construction businesses in order to improve
cost competitiveness.
- Funding sources: Retained earnings are the most preferred source of finance for businesses over the next two years. This result is expected as borrowing costs are likely to increase in the foreseeable future.
- Businesses generally plan to rely on retained earnings to finance attempts to increase their respective market shares in upturns.
The Australian industry Group and AsiaLink Survey Report: Engaging Asia: Getting it right for Australian business
Summary:
AsiaLink and the Australian Industry Group conducted a joint survey to better understand Australian business engagement with Asia. The result is Engaging Asia: Getting it right for Australian business - a look at australia’s interest in, and preparedness for, doing business in Asia.
Summary:
AsiaLink and the Australian Industry Group conducted a joint survey to better understand Australian business engagement with Asia. The result is Engaging Asia: Getting it right for Australian business - a look at australia’s interest in, and preparedness for, doing business in Asia.
Australian Industry Group Submission to Senate Economics Committee: Inquiry into access of small business to finance
Summary:
This submission was provided to the Senate Economics Committee inquiry a couple of years following the global financial crisis in 2008. It outlines the findings of Australian Industry Group's direct consultation with businesses on issues related to access to finance, particularly for small businesses.
Summary:
This submission was provided to the Senate Economics Committee inquiry a couple of years following the global financial crisis in 2008. It outlines the findings of Australian Industry Group's direct consultation with businesses on issues related to access to finance, particularly for small businesses.
Other key work I undertook at the Australian Industry Group included:
Manufacturing Industry / Small business issues:
Manufacturing Industry / Small business issues:
- Submission to Small Business Victoria.
- Submission to Inquiry into a More Competitive Victorian Manufacturing Industry.
- Submission to New South Wales Better Regulation Office, Review of NSW Regulatory Gatekeeping and Impact Assessment Processes.
- Submission to Future COAG Regulatory Reform Agenda.
- Member of Grattan Institute Productivity Growth Program Reference Group
- Participant in Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the Access of Small Business to Finance public hearings, Sydney, 2010
- Participant in Fair Work Australia Annual Wage Review 2009-10 public hearings, Melbourne, 2010
- Participant in Fair Work Australia Annual Wage Review 2010-11 public hearings, Melbourne, 2011
- Member of Fair Work Australia Research Group
- Presentation on Manufacturing Industry Prospects, National Manufacturing Week - Manufacturing Outlook 2010, Sydney, 2010
- Presentation on Henry Tax Review, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers (Southern Region), Melbourne, 2010
- Presentation on Future of the Manufacturing Industry, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers (Northern Region), Parramatta, 2010
- Presentation on Victoria’s Economic Outlook, Group Training Association of Victoria State Conference, Hepburn Springs, 2010
- Presentation on Economic Outlook, Rotary Club of Wendouree, Ballarat, 2010
- Presentation on Productivity - Labour, Education and Skills, Australian Bureau of Statistics National Conference - NatStats 2010, Sydney, 2010
- Presentation on Economic Outlook, Personnel and Industrial Relations (PIR) Conference, Australian Industry Group, Canberra, 2010
- Presentation on Reflections on 2010 & Predictions, Insights and Expectations for 2011, Victoria CFO Symposium 2010, Melbourne, 2010
- Keynote Presentation on Manufacturing Industry Outlook, Western Sydney Manufacturing Leaders Forum, NSW Manufacturing Week, 2011
- Presentation on Economic Outlook, Personnel and Industrial Relations (PIR) Conference, Australian Industry Group, Canberra, 2011
- Presentation on Economic Outlook - Opportunities and Challenges for Industry Development and Sustainability, National Manufacturing Week Conference, Melbourne, 2011
- Keynote Presentation on the Economics of Urban Congestion, Urban Congestion Summit, Brisbane, 2011
- Presentation on Economic Outlook, Personnel and Industrial Relations (PIR) Conference, Australian Industry Group, Canberra, 2011
- Presentation on Structural Change and the Australian Economy, Melbourne Institute Economics Forum, Melbourne, 2011
- Presentation on Economic Outlook and Technology, Technology Industry Development Council, Australian Industry Group, Sydney, 2011
- Presentation on Future Economic Environment, Australian Higher Education Industrial Association Enterprise Bargaining Planning Forum, Sydney, 2011
- Presentation on Economic Outlook for 2012, Society of Plastics Engineers, 2011.
Deloitte Access Economics
While I was Director, Economics at Deloitte Access Economics I led and contributed to various client projects and publications. Clients included:
While I was Director, Economics at Deloitte Access Economics I led and contributed to various client projects and publications. Clients included:
- Business Council of Australia
- Property Council of Australia
- Queensland Government
- Victoria Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Australian Institute of Company Directors
Infrastructure Victoria: The Current and Future State of Victoria: a macro perspective (economy chapter)
Summary:
This report covers both the current state and a selection of possible future states of Victoria’s society, economy and environment, and discusses the drivers of infrastructure demand for each stream. This will support Infrastructure Victoria’s public consultation for the development of its 30 year Infrastructure Strategy for Victoria.
Summary:
This report covers both the current state and a selection of possible future states of Victoria’s society, economy and environment, and discusses the drivers of infrastructure demand for each stream. This will support Infrastructure Victoria’s public consultation for the development of its 30 year Infrastructure Strategy for Victoria.
I also authored parts of influential Deloitte Access Economics reports, such as the:
- Commonwealth Budget Monitor publication
- Business Outlook publication (economic forecasting report)
- Employment Forecasts publication.
National Tax Reform: Myth busting Tax Reform Series
Summary:
This report on tax reform covers superannuation, negative gearing, and the discount on capital gains.
Summary:
This report on tax reform covers superannuation, negative gearing, and the discount on capital gains.