Economic and Political Overview 2014

CEDA's Economic and Political Overview 2014 publication, launching with a series of events in capital cities across Australia, examined the important issues of the productivity of government, government regulation and Australia's competitiveness as well as provided economic and political outlooks for 2014.

In releasing the EPO, CEDA's Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin said: "These issues were selected because they must be put under the national spotlight this year if we are to keep the Australian economy on track to lift its productivity and international competitiveness."

Chapter and authors

Economic outlook

A comprehensive forecast and assessment of the Australian economy in 2014. Key areas covered include the global recovery and the Chinese economic outlook and movements domestically for the commodity markets, residential construction and interest rates.

• Warren Hogan, Chief Economist ANZ and Katie Hill, Economist, ANZ

Political outlook

An overview of the issues on the political agenda in 2014 including if the new government will meet the high expectations of industry and business. Includes analysis of the major events and policies that will be the government's focus in 2014.

• Sabra Lane, Political Correspondent, ABC 7.30 program

How the 'Great Convergence' is changing Australia

Provides forecasts for the future of Australia's growth and China's economic circumstances. Includes analysis of the resources boom and global economic climate of the past decade. Read excerpt of this chapter on the CEDA blog

• Roger Donnelly, Chief Economist, Export Finance Insurance Corporation (EFIC)

Red tape in finance and its discontents

Analysis of the economic effect of red tape and government regulation. He examines the current areas of concern and ways to address excessive red tape. 

• Professor Rodney Maddock, Adjunct Professor of Economics, Monash University; Vice Chancellor's Fellow, Victoria University; and President, Economic Society of Australia (Victorian branch)

Government productivity

Explores government productivity and the effective delivery of services such as Medicare. Includes discussion of the challenges of reform, and how governments can drive efficiency and improvements in the public sector. 

• Dr Anne Tiernan, Associate Professor, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University

Click here to download the EPO 2014 (pdf). 

CEDA's EPO 2014 was launched at a CEDA event in Perth on 5 February with keynote by ANZ CEO, Mike Smith.

• Watch video of the event
• Read the media release; and
• Read the opinion piece by CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin.

Read 2014 EPO event summaries