Essay on Microeconomic Reform in Australia

Write an essay on microeconomic reform in Australia including word of honor on* The meaning of the term Microeconomic reform.* Examples of recent microeconomic reform* Possible effects of microeconomic reform in the Australian economy.Microeconomic reforms (MER) are the actions to reform particular product and factor markets with the aim of raising the economys long term growth rate and increasing its flexibility. It besides refers to the set of form _or_ system of government initiatives aimed at prompting structural change in the Australian economy so that resources can flow freely from one physical exertion to another. Any barrier to the free flow of resources in response to price signals creates inefficiencies in the economy, adding to cost.MER has many aims. Firstly it is used to improve resource allocation by maximising output of scarce resources. It is also to encourage efficient operations of markets (adoption of worlds best practice) and encourage efficiencies-allocative (limited resources allocated to the most uses for its output to be maximised), adept (aims to elicit at the scale where costs per unit are the lowest) and dynamic ( how firms achieve and maintain readiness over time). Micro reforms refer to individual sectors inside the economy.They work to improve inputs and outputs, and are tools of control in conjunction with macro policies (fiscal and monetary). MER works on supply side economics to improve productivity. This is done through with(predicate) govt. deregulation which improves efficiency, lowers tariffs, annexs international competitiveness and through the reforms of the GBEs which lowers costs and increases tilt (Hilmer report).In recent years there have been many examples of developments in MER. The last cardinal years of MER has been the crucial factor in improvements of the status of the economy on Australia especially the return to low flash. In the product markets, MER has been reducing protection, and improving the contender policy through the introduction of the Trade Practices act (1974) and the Hilmer report in 1993, as a decrease in regulations mean increased competition. This led to privatisation and corporatisation of GBEs and deregulation.In Factor markets, such as the capital markets, deregulation occurred from the early 80s which included the deregulation of financial markets and float of the dollar (83). Labour markets also went under near structural changes with the decentralisation of wage- secureness with the introduction of enterprise bargaining instead of arbitration and the end of National Wage cases in the early 90s as well as restructuring of awards. Under the Howard govt. the introduction of the WRA has brought on AWAs (individual contracts), simplification of awards and measures to reduce union power.Some deregulation has occurred through some reduction of the role of the IRC in wage fixing and industrial relations. In the public sector, the most important MER of the dec ade are the corporatisation and privatisation of former GBEs such as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Qantas, Telstra (partial)(end of monopoly in 1991 and full competition in 1997) and corporatisation of Australia Post.Taxation has gone under some changes with the introduction of capital gains tax, fringe benefits tax and the possible introduction of a GST and tax indexation (linking tax brackets to inflation rates so that individuals would not be under the influence of bracket creep due to inflation. Also income tax cuts-from 60% to 47%-provide incentives to work and increase output. Welfare has also been under the influence of MERs through tightening of old age pensions and benefits through the incomes and assets test as well as the introduction of the urinate for the Dole scheme.The main reason for MER is to improve the over all performance of economic activity. MER must help to achieve govt. objectives as the failure of macroeconomic policy means it cannot do the job alone. It attempts to override and supplement macro by improving dynamism of productivity, efficiency and raising national income. It aims to improve the ability to arrogate displaced workers and make the economy less inflation prone. Another reason for MER is to ensure efficiency for sustainable economic growth and improved living standards.The three main types of efficiency are allocative, technical and dynamic and are prerequisites for possible economic growth. Allocative efficiency is when prices reflect costs. It is the production of combination of goods and services which yields maximum efficiency. Technical efficiency involves the production of g+s at minimum average costs. This is done through the acquisition of capital and the right number of labour employed to produce at maximum efficiency without the Law of Diminishing returns kicking in, or excessive RULC.Another reason for MER is to improve competition. It puts pressure on firms to increase technical efficiency and to pass o n the benefits of the improved technical efficiency in the form of lower prices to consumers. In turn, competition go away improve allocative efficiency, which means resources will be allocated only to the areas which reflect consumer demand and push price down to long run average costs.The pattern is like a set of dominos, lessen allocation of resources will increase competition which puts pressure to lower prices and improve resource allocation, which in turn will increase national income and living standards. A proof of its success is the dramatic decrease of inflation in Australia from the 70s (10%) to the 80s (8%) to the 90s (