My main research interest is the application of micro-econometric techniques to interesting economic problems.  I also work to advance econometric theory in the areas of non-parametric econometrics, analysis of complex survey data, and finite-sample econometrics.

In the last few years, I have conducted research in five main areas. 

Inter-generational transmission of dependence on income support in Australia.

This is a major new data gathering initiative and research project which will lead to a better understanding of how disadvantage and advantage are transmitted from one generation to another.  The project is called Youth in Focus.

Regulatory and competition economics

I have studies the consistency of regulatory outcomes across jurisdictions in Australia focusing on water, gas, and electricity.  This research formed the basis for a successful ARC grant received in 2005. I also conducted research on competition in the mortgage provision industry in Australia.

Intra-household economic behaviour.

This work includes publication on non-cooperative models of the household and their ability to explain a long-standing puzzle in the US Food Stamp literature, a study of disagreement between partners over the experience of financial difficulty using Australian data, and the modelling of household labor supply using structural models of the household applied to Australian data.  

Firm-level productivity analysis.

I have been estimating structural models of firm behaviour to uncover production functions of Australian two-digit industries.  I have used this analysis to improve previous estimates and to study the degree to which firm entry and exit have played a role in the Australian productivity growth of the 1990s. 

Advancing econometric theory. 

I have developed new tests for Markov-Switching models.  I have worked on applying non-parametric techniques in regional/urban economics.  I have worked on finite-sample corrections to commonly used inequality measures.  I have worked on combining non-parametric estimation with survey weights.