Latest News

Gambling Portal Now Online

The Centre is pleased to announce the release of a new Gambling Portal on its website which provides access to various resources in respect of gambling in South Australia and Australia.  Major features of the portal include a regional database on gaming machine activity in South Australia and access to research that the Centre has conducted in respect of the economic and social dimensions of gambling in Australia.

Local Governments' Current and Potential Role in Water Management and Conservation

The Centre was commissioned by the Local Government Association of South Australia to conduct a survey of local governments in South Australia in respect of water management and conservation.  The aim of the survey was to develop an accurate picture of local governments' current and potential role in pursuing strategies to better manage water resources in local and regional areas.  A copy of the report is available here.

June 2009 Economic Briefing

The Centre's latest Economic Briefing Report was launched at the June 2009 Economic Briefing Luncheon on Wednesday, 3 June 2009, at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel.  Our guest speaker was Mr Ken Matthews AO, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Commission.  The luncheon included a presentation by Associate Professor Owen Covick on the situation and outlook for the South Australian and national economies.  

Commentary - Measuring Fiscal Responsibility

Associate Professor Colin Rogers, Research Associate of the SA Centre for Economic Studies, has prepared a short commentary on measuring the fiscal responsibility of the Commonwealth budget.  He argues that both of Australia's major political parties have failed to "measure the fiscal position correctly" due to an emphasis on the underlying cash balance rather than the structural balance of the budget.  The commentary can be downloaded here.

Labour Force Participation Studies

Two consultancy reports recently completed by the Centre in respect of labour market participation have been added to the publications section.

Review of Initiatives Into Workforce Re-ingagement of Long Term Disengaged Workers assesses whether lessons learned from transitioning the long term unemployed into sustainable employment through labour market programs may be applicable to long term workers’ compensation beneficiaries.

Modelling What Works Well in SA Works in the Regions explores what ‘learning lessons’ can be derived from selected case studies of individual employment and training projects delivered through the South Australia “SA Works in the Region” program and the Workforce Participation Partnerships (WPP) program, an initiative of the Victorian government.

July 2008 Economic Briefing

The Centre's latest Economic Briefing Report was launched at the July 2008 Economic Briefing Luncheon on Thursday, 3 July 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide.  Our guest speaker was the Hon Gary Gray AO MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia.  The luncheon included a presentation by Associate Professor Owen Covick on the situation and outlook for the South Australian and national economies.  

2006-07 Annual State Accounts 

The latest annual State Accounts were released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in mid November.  The Centre's key production and trade indicators for South Australia have been updated as a consequence.   

SACES Relocation 

The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies relocated to 230 North Terrace, Level 2, from Tuesday, 12th June 2007.  All contact phone numbers are unaffected by the move.  If you have any enquiries please phone (08) 8303 5555.

Economic and Social Indicators 

An expanded set of economic and social indicators have been introduced to the Centre's website.  These indicators have been compiled to provide corporate members and the broader community with a regular update of recent economic and social trends in South Australia. The indicators can be accessed through the Economic and Social Indicators page.

South Australia's Population Growth

South Australia's population rose by about 12,600 persons in 2005-06 to reach a total of 1.55 million persons. The aggregate net increase in the State's population was the strongest since 1991. This was brought about by a large increase in net overseas migration (9,500 persons), which also rose strongly in 2004-05 (7,000 persons).  However, the State continues to lose people through interstate migration with a net loss of about 2,900 persons in 2005-06.  Data on components of annual population change for South Australia are presented in Select Economic Indicators.

Annual Meetings of World Bank Group and IMF

The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies will be represented at the Program of Seminars to be held on the occasion of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Singapore, September 16-18.

The theme for the seminars this year will be the The World in Asia, Asia in the World.  Mr Andrew Symon, Research Associate and regular contributor to the Centre's Economic Issues Papers will consider the implications of the recent oil boom in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the effect of the first expansion of MENA-ASIA ties.

Corporate leaders and senior government officials from 184 member countries of the IMF and World Bank will attend the Program of Seminars.

Gross Economic Impact of the Proposed Angas Zinc Mine 

Terramin Australia recently commissioned the SA Centre for Economic Studies to estimate the gross economic impact of the proposed Angas Zinc Mine on the wider Strathalbyn Economy.

The proposed mine will be located about 2 km outside the rural township of Strathalbyn, which is located approximately 60 kilometres south of Adelaide.  The final feasibility study estimates that the mine will produce 319,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 122,300 tonnes of lead-copper over its seven-year life span. A copy of the Centre's report, which provides estimates of the direct and indirect employment and gross state product generated by the mine throughout the wider Strathalbyn economy, can be downloaded from here.

Australia-China Relations

Following an Issues Paper on Australia's regional and bilateral trade agreements which considered the prospect of an Australia-China free trade agreement, Andrew Symon - a research associate of the Centre - has written an article on Australia-China relations for the Singapore Straits Times. The article is available for download from here.

South Australia's Export Performance in 2005

The Centre has prepared a brief update of South Australia's export performance in 2005. South Australia's export performance was previously reviewed by the Centre in Economic Issues Paper No. 14, South Australia's Overseas Exports. The update is available for download from here.

Global Maintenance-Heavy Engineering Report

The Centre has recently completed a report on the demand for skills in the Heavy Industry sector of the Upper Spencer Gulf Region. A Media Release is available from here.