Dr Dr Peter Davidson
Doctor of Philosophy (social sciences), ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney 2018
Bachelor of Social Work, University of Queensland 1978.
I haveÌýresearched, critiqued and influenced social and economic policies over a number of years, as an advisor with the Australian Council of Social Service, a member of advisory bodies to Australian governments and academic research projects, and more recently through the needtoknow policy consultancy.Ìý
I was a member of the Australian Government's Employment Services Expert Panel (2018), and sat on the NSW Government's Housing Appeals Committee (1999-2015).Ìý
I have a long association withÌýSPRC through research partnerships, conference presentations, and completion of a PhD thesis on the origins of activation policies for people unemployed long-term in Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Denmark.
My main areas of expertise are employment assistance and the labour market, social security, taxation, and poverty and inequality (how to measure and reduce them).
I'm interested in 'realistic yet radical' redesign of employment services and tax and social security systems that simplifies, improves transparency, and includes those left behind.
Examples of my policy analysis and development work include:
- replacing pensions and allowance payments with a minimum income guarantee for people of working age with supplements for additional costs,
- employment services purchasing arrangements that quarantine funding for patient investment to overcome labour market disadvantage and support local partnerships with employers and community services,
- replacing regressive and complex superannuation tax concessions with a rebate that equalises public support for each dollar invested regardless of income,
- assigning the Goods and Services Tax to the States to fund human services rather than as a substitute revenue source to personal income tax.
I blogÌýat www.needtoknowconsulting.org on topics such as the demise of the 'neoliberal centre', universal basic income, optimal taxation, and the redesign of social security and employment services. Ìý
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
2019:
Analysis of future trends in Commonwealth social expenditure, together with the cost and distributional impact of tax rate reductions.
Comparison of the likely impact on different fiscal policies (tax cuts, transfer payment increases, infrastructure investment) on growth in GDP in the event of a recession - including development of a proposal for direct publicÌýinvestment in social housing.Ìý
2018:
PhD thesis completed on origins of activation policies in four countries.
Profiled barriers to employment for participants in the jobactive program.
Surveyed participants in the jobactive program re: assistance received, experience withÌýthe compliance system, treatment by providers.
Drafted a blueprint for reform of employment services in Australia, informed by my own researchÌýand input from peak bodies representing service users and providers gathered through a series of expert seminars.
Drafted report on 'Poverty in Australia', drawing on detailed quantitative research by colleagues at SPRC on the incidence poverty among at-risk groups and aggregate trends. This wasÌýa key output of the Poverty and Inequality Partnership (PIP) between ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç and ACOSS
Drafted ‘Inequality in Australia,’ drawing on detailed quantitative research by colleagues at SPRC on the distribution of incomes and wealth, including its key components (such as earnings, investment income, benefits and taxes),Ìýaggregate trends and drivers.ÌýThis was anotherÌýkey output of the PIP.
2017:
Critically assessedÌýproposals to introduce a Universal Basic Income (UBI) against the backdrop of development of social security systems for people of working age in Australia and the United Kingdom, especially the interaction between public income support and labour market regulation. Presented at Australian Social Policy Conference and Centre for Future Work.
Critically assessed and developed policies to curb tax avoidance through the use of private trusts.
2016:
Critically assessed and developed policies to improve the equity and efficiency of superannuation tax concessions, drawing aÌýconnection between the cost of tax concessions for retirees and future financing of health and aged care.
2015:
Analysis of the impact of capital gains tax concessions and 'negative gearing' on housing affordability, public revenue and income tax integrity.
Commissioned quantitative research, and drafted a report on, the distributional effects of increases in the GST to finance personal income tax cuts.
Presented at the National Reform Summit (co-hosted by ACOSS, ACTU, BCA, ACCI COTA, AYAC, & National Seniors), and the AFR Tax Reform Summit, on directions for tax reform.
Member of organising committee for a one-day conference of business, community, and academic representatives on directions for tax reform co-hosted by ACOSS and the Business Coalition for Tax Reform.
Previous:
DevelopedÌýproposals to restructure income support for people of working age (replacing pensions and allowances with a single base payment and supplement for special needs), drawing on previous policy work in this area in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (2014).
Member of organising body for the Tax Reform Forum co-hosted by ACOSS, ACTU and ACF (2010-12).
Contributed to development of tax reform proposals by the Australia's Future Tax System (Henry) review (2009) and participated in the previous Government's Tax Reform Summit (2012).Ìý
Prepared a report on activation policies in Australia for the OECD (2011, with Professor Whiteford).
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Media
Gittins, R, Scott Morrison's surplus obsession is hurting the economy. SMH 21/10/19
Gittins R, How to multiply bang from your budget. SMH 22/6/19Ìý
Research
Centre for Future Work advisory committee (2016- Ìý): advising the Australia Institute’s centre on its labour market research and policy work.
Research Advisory Panel, Budget Standards project (2014-17): Australian Research Council funded research project conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney.
Investigator, ‘New measures of disadvantage project’ (2005-07): Australian Research Council funded research project conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ.
Government
Employment Services Expert Advisory Panel (2018): reviewing employment services for unemployed people for The Minister for Jobs, Workplace Relations and Small Business
Centrelink Service Delivery Policy Advisory Group (2007-12): Department of Human Services
Climate Change Household Assistance Working Group (2011): advising the Minister of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Employment Services Industry Reference Group (2011): advising the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations
Disability Support Pension Advisory Group (2011): advising the Minister for Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs,
Community
Community Tax Forum (2010-12): ÌýDialogue on tax policy led by the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Australian Council of Social Service
Australian Tax Research Foundation Research Advisory Committee (2008-10).