In this in-depth overview of Australia's economy, Michael Enright and Richard Petty — leading scholars on international competition—look at the data behind the news reports to offer a complete view of Australia's stable and wealthy economy. The book compares Australia with other similarly sized OECD economies as well as other Asia-Pacific economies and looks at fifteen international sources of data on competitiveness. It features a large-scale survey on Australian companies and offers deep insight on the country's future in terms of economics and economic policy. Revealing an honest assessment of Australia's true position in the world, the book looks at how Australian businesses see themselves and offers policy positions for government and firms to make the most of Australia's unique global economic position. Backed by CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies Written by two global authorities on economic competitiveness Captures the thinking of more than 6,000 business leaders both within and outside of Australia Explains how Australia has weathered the global recession and looks at Australia's relationship with China For business leaders and policy makers in need of an in-depth look at the current and future state of Australia's economy, this book offers valuable and comprehensive information.

Since the early 1990s there has been a global trend towards governmental devolution. However, in Australia, alongside deregulation, public-private partnerships and privatization, there has been increasing centralization rather than decentralization of urban governance. Australian state governments are responsible for the planning, management and much of the funding of the cities, but the Commonwealth government has on occasion asserted much the same role. Disjointed policy and funding priorities between levels of government have compromised metropolitan economies, fairness and the environment. Australia's Metropolitan Imperative: An Agenda for Governance Reformmakes the case that metropolitan governments would promote the economic competitiveness of Australia's cities and enable more effective and democratic planning and management. The contributors explore the global metropolitan "renaissance," document the history of metropolitan debate in Australia and demonstrate metropolitan governance failures. They then discuss the merits of establishing metropolitan governments, including economic, fiscal, transport, land use, housing and environmental benefits. The book will be a useful resource for those engaged in strategic, transport and land use planning, and a core reference for students and academics of urban governance and government. Features: * The first comprehensive examination of the need for a fourth sphere of governance in Australia, covering the country's major city-regions, the metropolitan areas. * Empowers readers to be able to analyze and critique the policy propositions of federal and state governments for Australia's cities. * Includes comparative international case studies.

Competitive pressure is essential to good economic performance. But many are concerned that it is waning. They say large firms are dominating markets, pushing up prices and profits, squeezing suppliers, and slowing growth in wages and productivity. They point to the consolidation of old industries and the rise of new ones dominated by large firms. Is competitive pressure in Australia weak? Is it waning? How costly to Australia is market power? This report assesses the evidence. It then proposes policies to increase competitive pressure.