The Centre of Policy Studies
and the IMPACT Project
The Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS), incorporating the 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. MONASH-USA, 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
Canberra, 30 September 2008: the Garnaut Climate Change Review released its Final Report, which mentions CoPS' MMRF model 48 times. A team of CGE modellers, including CoPS Director
Philip Adams, has worked overtime for months to prepare simulations for the Garnaut
Review.
For two years CoPS has made working papers available through the RePEC archive of economics papers. During that time 5000 papers
have been downloaded and 18000 abstracts viewed. The most downloaded papers are listed
here.
Working Paper No. G-174 Population Ageing, Labour Market Reform and Economic Growth
in China - A Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis, by Xiujian Peng and Yinhua Mai
(abstract and download) is now available.
Emeritus Professor Alan Powell AM was one of fifteen Monash academics who received
50th Anniversary Research Awards acknowledging the exceptional contribution they have
made to their field of research and the community over the 50 years of Monash
University's existence. Story in
Monash Memo, 20 August 2008. Professor Peter Dixon accepted the award on Alan's
behalf Pictures