Why does the Commonwealth government penalise states that raise more revenue by fully developing their mining industry? Or penalise states that encourage investment and innovation by cutting taxes?

It doesn’t make much sense, and an obscure policy called Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation, has a lot to answer for.

If you’re involved in policy at a state level you need to understand Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation, and you should be at this policy launch. Click here to book.

John Fallon, a fellow of the Australian Institute for Progress, is an economist who has worked for Economic Insights, the Queensland Competition Authority, Queensland Treasury, Industry Commission, OECD, and Reserve Bank on a range of public policy and economic matters.

He will be launching the discussion paper “Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation and the Grants Commission”.

John’s paper and presentation will look at what the preoccupation with fiscal equality (or uniformity) has done to Australia, and what we can do to reform it.

It’s also a good opportunity to meet other people and network over wine and cheese.