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Jim Minifie

Productivity Growth Program Director, Grattan Institute

Jim Minifie directs the Grattan Institute's Productivity Growth Program, which is focused on policy reforms to drive Australian living standards. His team is currently focused on structural change in the Australian economy.

Prior to joining Grattan in June 2012, Jim spent 13 years at the Boston Consulting Group, including seven years as Chief Economist for Australia and New Zealand. There he was responsible for leading the firm's thinking on economic challenges – including the global financial crisis, the resources boom and climate change – and their implications for Australian policymakers and corporate leaders. His clients included governments in Australia, Asia and the Middle East and firms in media, online marketplaces, financial services, agriculture, industrial goods, logistics, retail, and resources and commodities.

Examples of his work include:

Public policy and public economics:
• Policy development: growth policy; development policies for middle income economies; foreign investment policy;
• Policy assessment and cost-benefit analysis: assessment of industry development policies and transport infrastructure; climate change policy; energy asset privatisation; low-emissions energy finance;
• Market and contract design: water markets; vocational education market design, energy infrastructure selection and finance design.

Private sector strategy development:
• Regulatory strategy: health insurance, resources, transport infrastructure, airlines;
• Policy impact assessment and response development: trade policy, tax, R&D;
• Pricing and contract design: media & marketplaces, finance, commodity exports;
• Financial structuring and funding: cooperatives, financial crisis response in banking;
• Governance reviews: cooperatives, vocational education, resource management;
• Sustainability strategy development: retailing, resources.

Jim has a PhD in applied economics from Stanford University and honours and masters degrees in economics from the University of Melbourne. His research focused on contracts, incentives, and taxation.

Do Australian banks have double the return on equity of banks in other developed economies?

May 22, 2017 13:03 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

The banks in Australia have a return on equity which is about twice, if not more than that, what you see particularly in other parts of the advanced developed economies of the world. Treasurer Scott Morrison, ABC Insiders,...

PC sets groundwork for long-awaited look at super competition and efficiency

Aug 03, 2016 06:01 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report setting out criteria for assessing the competitiveness and efficiency of the superannuation system. The final report will be delivered in November this year. The...

Digital disruption: STEM graduates and more regulation not the answer

Jun 16, 2016 05:43 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology Law

A complacent government could easily adopt a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the effects of technology on our economy, but a report from the Productivity Commission advocates what governments need to do to confront...

Economy

U.S. Unleashes New Iran Sanctions, Targets Oil, Crypto and Trade Networks

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a sweeping new sanctions campaign against Iran on Monday, targeting Tehrans oil exports, military procurement, cyber operations and international financial networks while...

Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Rebounds on Iran Sanctions

Asian currencies slipped on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar staged a modest rebound, with investors weighing expanded U.S. sanctions on Iran, elevated Treasury yields and upcoming Federal Reserve policy signals. The U.S. Dollar...

Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Nvidia Earnings and US Inflation Data

Asian stocks mostly fell Tuesday as technology shares came under renewed pressure, while geopolitical uncertainty and upcoming U.S. economic data encouraged investors to reduce risk. The MSCI AC Asia Pacific index dropped...

Fed Chair Warsh to Speak at Pivotal Jackson Hole Symposium Amidst Economic Headwinds

With Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh presenting the opening speech on August 28, the approaching Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium set for August 2729 promises to be a major event in world economics. Renowned for...

US-Canada Tariff War Escalates With 50% Auto Duties

The U.S.-Canada trade war has intensified since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, disrupting decades of economic cooperation and hitting industries including steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber...

Politics

Zelenskiy Sees U.S. Mediation Window for Ukraine Peace Through Summer 2027

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy believes there is a window for U.S.-led mediation to help end the Russia-Ukraine war by the end of summer 2027, as Kyiv works with American and European officials on a new peace...

Iran Vows Retaliation as U.S. Expands Sanctions Pressure

Iran has vowed to retaliate against expanded U.S. sanctions aimed at restricting Tehrans access to the global economy, while expressing confidence that major trading partners, including China and Russia, will resist...

UK, France Pledge Stronger Military Support for Ukraine

Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine on Monday, including faster air defence deliveries and access to classified missile technology, as Kyiv marked the 35th anniversary of its independence....

Pakistan, Iran Report Progress in Talks to End U.S.-Israeli War

Pakistan and Iran have reported significant progress in diplomatic talks aimed at preventing further escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and finding a path toward a negotiated end to the conflict. Pakistans Interior...

New Zealand Labour Backs Social Media Ban for Under-16s

New Zealands main opposition Labour Party said Tuesday it will support a proposed social media ban for children under 16, giving Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a potential path to advance the legislation despite...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Google Expands Gemini Enterprise With AI Tools for Legal Sector

Google has expanded its Gemini Enterprise artificial intelligence platform with new tools designed for lawyers and law firms, intensifying competition among major technology companies seeking a larger share of the growing...

Luxshare Shares Rise as First-Half Profit Jumps 18%

Luxshare Precision Industry shares gained on Monday after the major Apple supplier reported strong first-half earnings and projected double-digit profit growth for the first nine months of the year, supported by expanding...

Nvidia Options Price in $280 Billion Earnings Swing

Nvidia options traders are preparing for a potentially massive market reaction when the AI chip giant reports second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with derivatives pricing suggesting a roughly $280 billion shift in the...

SK Hynix Shares Fall as Workers Reject Wage Deal

SK Hynix shares declined on Tuesday after union members narrowly voted against a tentative wage agreement, forcing the South Korean chipmaker and its workers to return to negotiations over pay and performance incentives....

Unitree Shares Plunge 45% After Blockbuster IPO, Raising China Tech Bubble Fears

Unitree shares have plunged about 45% from their post-IPO highs, raising concerns about a potential robotics stock bubble, retail investor losses and weaknesses in Chinas listing system. The Chinese humanoid robot maker...