In the Australian context policies impacting on economic development have traditionally been the preserve of Commonwealth and state governments. Economic restructuring, particularly since the early 1980’s, has seen the rise of local government as a more active participant in promoting economic development at the local level. What emerged was a highly competitive environment where local governments established their own policies to attract and promote private sector investment and employment growth. Policy makers were faced with the difficult task of identifying the most appropriate policy levers and frameworks that covered a diverse and often competitive range of issues. Australian local governments that established economic development policies were placing themselves in a scenario that was outside the statutory parameters of their legislative frameworks and often well beyond their resource capacity. A prerequisite for effectiveness in this complex area of public policy would be a clear understanding of economic development and the ability of councils to participate in the process. The aim of this research is to establish a model which can explain the role that local government can play in achieving local economic development. By examining the international and Australian literature a broad-based multi-disciplinary model is developed to facilitate interpretation of the concept of economic development in a manner suitable for policy makers in the local government context. This model is tested against in depth case studies of three Australian local governments which have embarked on strong economic development policies. The conclusions focus on the relevance of the model through determining its ‘fit’ with the established policies, and its potential contribution to concept and practice.

Whole document restricted, see Access Instructions file below for details of how to access the print copy. / Approaching retirement, individuals are confronted by a range of future risks and uncertainties. The primary worry is insufficient income and the associated danger of outliving one's capital. New Zealand has a unique approach for reducing this risk, comprising a universal state pension supplemented by voluntary unsubsidised saving. This simple model meets poverty prevention objectives, but middle-income baby-boom cohorts may struggle to achieve their income-replacement aspirations. The modest capital they have saved to supplement the state pension is exposed to the risks of inflation, poor investment outcomes, growth in living standards, and increasing longevity. They will enter retirement with significantly less private pension provision than previous generations and while they may hold a high proportion of their assets in owner-occupied homes, this equity is not readily accessed. They and their families also face the risk that they might require costly long-term residential care in old age. Women are likely to be particularly affected, not only as the spouses of men needing care, but, because of greater average longevity, they have a higher propensity to need long-term care themselves. Pension design and annuity markets are neglected areas of inquiry in New Zealand. In part this is because international pressures to privatise the state pension by setting up compulsory savings schemes in the private sector have been resisted. This thesis outlines the historical, practical, political and theoretical factors that explain the demise of private pensions and annuities. This provides a record of international interest as New Zealand is the first developed country to institute a tar neutral environment for retirement saving. While the New Zealand model is largely a credible one, there are significant shortcomings. This thesis examines whether economic theories can cast new light on what should be done and finds the experimentation of a pragmatic kind that has gone on historically precludes highly theoretical or ideological policy solutions. Normative judgements about well-being and distribution cannot be avoided. An integrated approach to reforming the New Zealand system is explored, based on the advantages of linking certain kinds of insurance. A substantial role for the state is inescapable; especially in the annuities market, which, it is argued, should be developed to play a significant role in retirement policy options. A state-guaranteed life annuity linked to long-term care insurance financed by a combination of cash and home equity is proposed, subsidised by intragenerational transfers from the retired population. This reform proposal builds on the existing pre-retirement saving policy and keeps the state pension as the cornerstone. The pay-off is improved welfare for middle-income retirees, greater economic efficiency, lower fiscal cost and improved equity both across and within generations. A greater credibility for the New Zealand model in international forums is also likely to follow.

Whole document restricted, see Access Instructions file below for details of how to access the print copy. / Approaching retirement, individuals are confronted by a range of future risks and uncertainties. The primary worry is insufficient income and the associated danger of outliving one's capital. New Zealand has a unique approach for reducing this risk, comprising a universal state pension supplemented by voluntary unsubsidised saving. This simple model meets poverty prevention objectives, but middle-income baby-boom cohorts may struggle to achieve their income-replacement aspirations. The modest capital they have saved to supplement the state pension is exposed to the risks of inflation, poor investment outcomes, growth in living standards, and increasing longevity. They will enter retirement with significantly less private pension provision than previous generations and while they may hold a high proportion of their assets in owner-occupied homes, this equity is not readily accessed. They and their families also face the risk that they might require costly long-term residential care in old age. Women are likely to be particularly affected, not only as the spouses of men needing care, but, because of greater average longevity, they have a higher propensity to need long-term care themselves. Pension design and annuity markets are neglected areas of inquiry in New Zealand. In part this is because international pressures to privatise the state pension by setting up compulsory savings schemes in the private sector have been resisted. This thesis outlines the historical, practical, political and theoretical factors that explain the demise of private pensions and annuities. This provides a record of international interest as New Zealand is the first developed country to institute a tar neutral environment for retirement saving. While the New Zealand model is largely a credible one, there are significant shortcomings. This thesis examines whether economic theories can cast new light on what should be done and finds the experimentation of a pragmatic kind that has gone on historically precludes highly theoretical or ideological policy solutions. Normative judgements about well-being and distribution cannot be avoided. An integrated approach to reforming the New Zealand system is explored, based on the advantages of linking certain kinds of insurance. A substantial role for the state is inescapable; especially in the annuities market, which, it is argued, should be developed to play a significant role in retirement policy options. A state-guaranteed life annuity linked to long-term care insurance financed by a combination of cash and home equity is proposed, subsidised by intragenerational transfers from the retired population. This reform proposal builds on the existing pre-retirement saving policy and keeps the state pension as the cornerstone. The pay-off is improved welfare for middle-income retirees, greater economic efficiency, lower fiscal cost and improved equity both across and within generations. A greater credibility for the New Zealand model in international forums is also likely to follow.

Whole document restricted, see Access Instructions file below for details of how to access the print copy. / Approaching retirement, individuals are confronted by a range of future risks and uncertainties. The primary worry is insufficient income and the associated danger of outliving one's capital. New Zealand has a unique approach for reducing this risk, comprising a universal state pension supplemented by voluntary unsubsidised saving. This simple model meets poverty prevention objectives, but middle-income baby-boom cohorts may struggle to achieve their income-replacement aspirations. The modest capital they have saved to supplement the state pension is exposed to the risks of inflation, poor investment outcomes, growth in living standards, and increasing longevity. They will enter retirement with significantly less private pension provision than previous generations and while they may hold a high proportion of their assets in owner-occupied homes, this equity is not readily accessed. They and their families also face the risk that they might require costly long-term residential care in old age. Women are likely to be particularly affected, not only as the spouses of men needing care, but, because of greater average longevity, they have a higher propensity to need long-term care themselves. Pension design and annuity markets are neglected areas of inquiry in New Zealand. In part this is because international pressures to privatise the state pension by setting up compulsory savings schemes in the private sector have been resisted. This thesis outlines the historical, practical, political and theoretical factors that explain the demise of private pensions and annuities. This provides a record of international interest as New Zealand is the first developed country to institute a tar neutral environment for retirement saving. While the New Zealand model is largely a credible one, there are significant shortcomings. This thesis examines whether economic theories can cast new light on what should be done and finds the experimentation of a pragmatic kind that has gone on historically precludes highly theoretical or ideological policy solutions. Normative judgements about well-being and distribution cannot be avoided. An integrated approach to reforming the New Zealand system is explored, based on the advantages of linking certain kinds of insurance. A substantial role for the state is inescapable; especially in the annuities market, which, it is argued, should be developed to play a significant role in retirement policy options. A state-guaranteed life annuity linked to long-term care insurance financed by a combination of cash and home equity is proposed, subsidised by intragenerational transfers from the retired population. This reform proposal builds on the existing pre-retirement saving policy and keeps the state pension as the cornerstone. The pay-off is improved welfare for middle-income retirees, greater economic efficiency, lower fiscal cost and improved equity both across and within generations. A greater credibility for the New Zealand model in international forums is also likely to follow.

Whole document restricted, see Access Instructions file below for details of how to access the print copy. / Approaching retirement, individuals are confronted by a range of future risks and uncertainties. The primary worry is insufficient income and the associated danger of outliving one's capital. New Zealand has a unique approach for reducing this risk, comprising a universal state pension supplemented by voluntary unsubsidised saving. This simple model meets poverty prevention objectives, but middle-income baby-boom cohorts may struggle to achieve their income-replacement aspirations. The modest capital they have saved to supplement the state pension is exposed to the risks of inflation, poor investment outcomes, growth in living standards, and increasing longevity. They will enter retirement with significantly less private pension provision than previous generations and while they may hold a high proportion of their assets in owner-occupied homes, this equity is not readily accessed. They and their families also face the risk that they might require costly long-term residential care in old age. Women are likely to be particularly affected, not only as the spouses of men needing care, but, because of greater average longevity, they have a higher propensity to need long-term care themselves. Pension design and annuity markets are neglected areas of inquiry in New Zealand. In part this is because international pressures to privatise the state pension by setting up compulsory savings schemes in the private sector have been resisted. This thesis outlines the historical, practical, political and theoretical factors that explain the demise of private pensions and annuities. This provides a record of international interest as New Zealand is the first developed country to institute a tar neutral environment for retirement saving. While the New Zealand model is largely a credible one, there are significant shortcomings. This thesis examines whether economic theories can cast new light on what should be done and finds the experimentation of a pragmatic kind that has gone on historically precludes highly theoretical or ideological policy solutions. Normative judgements about well-being and distribution cannot be avoided. An integrated approach to reforming the New Zealand system is explored, based on the advantages of linking certain kinds of insurance. A substantial role for the state is inescapable; especially in the annuities market, which, it is argued, should be developed to play a significant role in retirement policy options. A state-guaranteed life annuity linked to long-term care insurance financed by a combination of cash and home equity is proposed, subsidised by intragenerational transfers from the retired population. This reform proposal builds on the existing pre-retirement saving policy and keeps the state pension as the cornerstone. The pay-off is improved welfare for middle-income retirees, greater economic efficiency, lower fiscal cost and improved equity both across and within generations. A greater credibility for the New Zealand model in international forums is also likely to follow.

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:12:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 68495.PDF: 623504 bytes, checksum: eb05af002fc2cb01af5aff8e1bed3f6a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-04-08T00:00:00Z / The work investigates the determinants of the public finances of the Brazilian state governments in the Nineties, staring from the hypothesis that, despite the economic elements will be prominent, the neoclassical conception of management of the public finances is not adequate to treat the fiscal question as a whole, requiring it be understood as a political economy problem. From the analysis of available literature on the subject, a model is considered to investigate the effective importance of noneconomic variables on the public deficit and on the expenses of the Brazilian states. To analyze the influence of the political and institutional variables chosen – the ideology of the party in the state government; ideological coincidence with the party in the federal executive; fragmentation of the political representation of the executive, and of the legislative power; electoral competitiveness; participation of the electorate in the elections; and electoral cycle – the models were estimated through the econometrical technique for panel data, with data of the twenty-six states and the Federal District in the 1990 to 2000 period. To represent the public expenses, it was been used the not financial current expenses divided by the state GDP and to represent the public deficit, the primary fiscal result (not financial expenditures and revenues) divided by the state GDP. For the public expenses, the econometrical work showed up the existence of significant influence of all the proposed variables, while for the primary fiscal result only three variables (electoral cycle, fragmentation of the executive power and ideological coincidence of parties in the state and federal executive) revealed acceptable in statistical terms. / O trabalho investiga os elementos condicionantes das finanças públicas dos governos estaduais brasileiros nos anos noventa, partindo da hipótese de que, a despeito dos elementos econômicos serem relevantes, a concepção neoclássica de gestão das finanças públicas não é adequada para tratar a questão fiscal em toda sua extensão, exigindo que ela seja entendida como um problema de economia política. A partir da análise da literatura disponível sobre o tema, é proposto um modelo para se investigar a importância efetiva de variáveis não econômicas sobre o déficit público e sobre os gastos dos estados brasileiros. Para analisar a influência das variáveis políticas e institucionais escolhidas ¿ ideologia do partido no governo estadual, coincidência ideológica com o partido no poder executivo federal, fragmentação da representação política do poder executivo, e do poder legislativo, grau de competitividade eleitoral, participação do eleitorado no pleito e ciclo eleitoral os modelos foram estimados através da técnica econométrica para dados de painel, com dados dos vinte e seis estados e Distrito Federal no período de 1990 a 2000. Para representar os gastos públicos foram utilizadas as despesas correntes não financeiras divididas pelo PIB estadual e para representar o déficit público, o resultado fiscal primário (despesas e receitas não financeiras) dividido pelo PIB estadual. Para os gastos públicos o trabalho econométrico evidenciou a existência de influência significativa de todas as variáveis propostas, enquanto para o resultado fiscal primário, apenas as variáveis: ciclo eleitoral, fragmentação partidária do poder executivo e coincidência ideológica de partidos no poder executivo estadual e federal mostraram-se estatisticamente aceitáveis.