Professor Robert Breunig

Professor Breunig is an expert on the application of economics to public policy. His work spans issues ranging from tax policy to labour markets, child care policy, regulation, house prices, gender inequality and income and wealth inequality.

Professor Breunig is one of Australia’s leading public policy economists. He has published in more than 50 international academic journals in economics and public policy. Professor Breunig has made significant policy impact through a number of his research projects: the relationship between child care and women’s labour supply; the effect of immigration to Australia on the labour market prospects of Australians; the effect of switching to cash from food stamps in the U.S. food stamp program and the inter-generational transmition of disadvantage.

His research is motivated by important social policy issues and debates. His work is characterised by careful empirical study and appropriate use of statistical technique. Professor Breunig’s research agenda has led to many partnerships with government organisations in Australia and overseas. He works regularly with the Australian Treasury, the Department of Employment, the Department of Industry, the Department of Communication and the Arts, the Productivity Commission, the Australian Bureau of Statistics as well as many other agencies. He has been a consultant to the private sector on marketing, mergers, bank competition and customer loyalty programs.

Professor Breunig particularly enjoys interaction outside of typical academic circles and takes pleasure in helping those who don’t usually use economics or statistical analysis to better understand and make use of these tools in their work. He has an extensive track record of helping the Australian public service to build research capacity which he views as a particularly important activity.

From 2015 to 2016 he was the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy.