Australia’s Fiscal Framework: Revisiting Options for a Fiscal Anchor

Author/Editor:

Allan Dizioli ; Philippe D Karam ; Dirk V Muir ; Siegfried Steinlein

Publication Date:

December 22, 2017

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

This paper revisits options for fiscal anchors in Australia against the backdrop of a medium-term budget balance anchor that has led to larger than expected upward drift in the net debt to GDP ratio since the end of the mining investment boom. The IMF’s G20MOD model is used to compare the budget balance anchor with a long-term debt anchor. Using model simulations evaluated against objective macro stabilization-debt control criteria under three likely scenarios for the Australian economy, the latter is found to perform at least as well as the former. The paper also considers the operationalization of a long-term debt anchor utilizing a combination of fiscal rules which includes expenditure restrictions and a flexible time horizon for convergence, aiming at encouraging countercyclical fiscal policy and minimizing the cost in terms of real GDP foregone in the medium term under fiscal consolidation.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2017/286

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

December 22, 2017

ISBN/ISSN:

9781484335383/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2017286

Pages:

40

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