The presentation will provide an overview of the microsimulation models in Australia and their application to policy modelling particularly in the tax and welfare space. The presentation will also provide a detailed description of the ANU PolicyMod model of the Australian tax and welfare system and provide some examples of recent policy modelling for the 2018 Budget. Some other applications and potential future developments will also be discussed.

Ben has 20 years of experience in economic and public policy analysis work in Australia. Ben's expertise is in the development of micrsosimulation models for the purpose of analysing tax and transfer systems. Ben also has broad experience in economic modelling, economics statistics and public policy in Australia. Ben has developed ANU's PolicyMod model of the Australian Tax and Transfer System. Ben worked at NATSEM for 10 years and was responsible for the STINMOD model of the Australian tax and transfer system and undertook a broad range of anlaysis in areas as diverse as modelling the introduction of a GST, carbon price and analysis of the Federal Budget. Ben also has a strong interest in matters relating to housing affordability, superannuation and income inequality. Ben has previously worked as a senior economist at HIA and was a methodologist at the ABS.