The Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS), incorporating the former Impact Project, specializes in computable general equilibrium (CGE)
modelling. CoPS undertakes academic/contract research and software
development, conducts training courses in CGE modelling and
offers graduate student supervision.
MONASH, a detailed, dynamic CGE model of
Australia, has been used to analyse many economic policies, including changes in taxes,
tariffs, environmental regulations and competition policy. MONASH simulations also
underlie detailed forecasts of labour market demand and income distribution.
MMRF, a dynamic CGE model of Australia's states and
territories, has been used for a wide range of applications including analyses of
greenhouse issues. MMRF3 is the latest version of the model and has been used recently in
the analysis of the Potential Benefits of the National Reform Agenda.
TERM, a new highly disaggregated model of 57 Australian
sub-state regions, is a useful tool for examining the impacts of shocks that affect
specific regions, e.g., drought.
CoPS has taken its modelling techniques overseas, completing projects in South Africa,
Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, China and other countries. USAGE, a 500
industry dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the US economy, is being
developed in collaboration with the US International Trade Commission. A simpler
single-country model called ORANI-G has been created as a
pattern on which to base models of other countries.
CoPS modelling relies on the GEMPACK software, developed at
the unit, and used in over 400 other locations in 60 countries.
CoPS runs several training courses in CGE modelling each
year. These courses are aimed at those who need background in CGE modelling to work with
results from CGE models like ORANI-G and MONASH, or who wish to use GEMPACK to
build their own models.
CoPS news
The Centre of Policy Studies CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWN will be from Thursday 22nd December and
we will reopen on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
Working Paper No. G-221 Labour Market Reform, Rural Migration and Income Inequality
in China - A Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis, by Yinhua Mai and Xiujian Peng
(abstract and download) is now available.
Research by Drs James Giesecke and Tran Hoang Nhi on the value-added tax system of
Vietnam has been reported in Monash News (Monash News
Link).
Dates have just been announced for the 2012 Practical General Equilibrium Modelling
Course to be held in Melbourne, February 13-17, 2012. Web
site
Working Paper No. G-223 MMRF: Monash Multi-Regional Forecasting Model: A Dynamic
Multi-Regional Model of the Australian Economy, by Philip Adams, Janine Dixon, James
Giesecke and Mark Horridge (abstract and download) is
now available.
Working Paper No. G-224 The Global Economic Effects of Pandemic Influenza, by George
Verikios, Maura Sullivan, Pane Stojanovski, James Giesecke and Gordon Woo (abstract and download) is now available.
Professor Peter Dixon comments on the Carbon Tax. Indaily's Blog link
Working Paper No. G-222 Water trading, buybacks and drought in the Murray-Darling
basin: lessons from economic modelling, by Glyn Wittwer and Peter Dixon (abstract and download) is now available.