In 2019, CEDA released a research report that outlines priorities to deliver ongoing Federal Budget surpluses and debt reduction.
“We face significant long-term demographic, economic and technological challenges, while global economic growth is slowing and there is pressure on households from sluggish income growth, high household debt and falling house prices. Our research also shows that expenditure discipline following an election is rare."
- Melinda Cilento, CEDA Chief Executive Officer
The federal budget is a key component of connecting people to the benefits of Australia’s economic progress. It does this through a tax system that delivers the right incentives for a modern workforce and by the delivery of critical services important to the wellbeing of individuals and the community, such as health, education and infrastructure.
As we face considerable uncertainties, very significant demographic, economic and technological challenges and increasing community expectations, achieving long-term budget sustainability underpinned by a strong tax base will be central to ensuring we have the services and infrastructure we need and want as a progressive society.
Budget repair continues to be the right priority for Australia, especially in an election year. While there have been welcome improvements in the federal budget recently, there are real risks to maintaining a surplus in coming years and paying down debt. The federal government’s forthcoming budget is set to be released on 2 April 2019.
CEDA's budget report has identified options that can help deliver long term equitable and sustainable federal budgets while also increasing transparency, and therefore community trust, in the federal budget process.
CEDA's budget report explores:
In 2016, CEDA published Deficit to balance: Budget repair options , outlining a series of measures that could return the federal budget to surplus in 2018-19. In this report, CEDA provides an update of these measures.
Sustainable budgets: underwriting Australia's social compact was launched on 8 March 2019 with events following across the country:
Brisbane | 12 March 2019
Discussion highlights: Making conscious decisions now to strengthen the budget will avoid
Melbourne | 19 March 2019
Perth | 21 March 2019
Sydney | 29 March 2019
Check in here to catch the latest blogs, news and highlights as it happens from CEDA's State of the Nation: digital forum, held on 15 and 16 June 2020.
Read more Government | Regulation August 17, 2013CEDA's policy perspective, Setting Public Policy, sets out a practical approach for making meaningful policy change. Released in August 2013, the report includes excepts of interviews with: the Hon. Bob Hawke AC GCL; the Hon. John Howard OM AC SSI; the Hon. Steve Bracks AC; the Hon. Nick Greiner AC; and the Hon. Jeff Kennett AC.
Read more Government | Regulation October 30, 2009Federal-state financing expert Jonathan Pincus argues that much of what we think we know about federalism is wrong or overstated - and that Australian federalism has succeeded.
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