Students
ECON3000 – Public Economics
2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Head of Department of Economics
John Romalis
Contact via john.romalis@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Mahmut Temur
Contact via mahmut.temur@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Dodo J Thampapillai
Contact via dodo.thampapillai@mq.edu.au
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ECON2003 or ECON203
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit outlines the key roles that the government sector plays in a market-based economy. The unit discusses traditional public financial issues as well as emerging issues relating to public economics within a globalised economy. Students learn how public sector responsibilities interact with activities undertaken by the private sector and how they can reflect preferences of the society in which they operate. Topics may include taxation, public expenditure, public sector pricing, cost-benefit analysis and fiscal federalism. The unit also covers areas of research into a national’s cultural assets, indigenous policy and political economy considerations. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Examine critical issues in the economics of the public sector.
- ULO2: Review changing national and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
- ULO3: Explain the working of public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
- ULO4: Analyse the roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
- ULO5: Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions and the consequent trade-offs in how they affect different groups in society.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day if a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). For example, for an assessment worth 30%, you receive a mark of 20/30 but your submission is late for 20 hours. With the late submission penalty applied, you will get a mark of18.5/30 (20-5%*30%).
After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice: Policy Case Analysis | 20% | No | 11:55 PM 27/10/2025 |
| Skills Development: Policy Analysis | 30% | No | Week 9 |
| Formal and Observed Learning: Exam | 50% | No | Examination Period |
Professional Practice: Policy Case Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 11:55 PM 27/10/2025
Weighting: 20%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop your appreciation of the importance of government policies to the economy. You will write a case study essay showcasing the different ways in which government policies affect the economy and their effectiveness.
Skills in focus:
- Problem solving
- Written communication
- Critical thinking
- Work readiness
- Citizenship
Deliverable: Case study essay (max 2,500 words).
This is an individual assessment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Examine critical issues in the economics of the public sector.
- Review changing national and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
- Explain the working of public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
- Analyse the roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
- Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions and the consequent trade-offs in how they affect different groups in society.
Skills Development: Policy Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 30%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to practice how to think critically and analytically on public policy issues. You will be given an analytical task in a the form of a short answer problem set.
Skills in focus:
- Analytical thinking
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Discipline knowledge
Deliverable: Short answers to problem sets.
This is an individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the working of public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
- Analyse the roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
- Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions and the consequent trade-offs in how they affect different groups in society.
Formal and Observed Learning: Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit. You will participate in a 2-hour, on campus, closed-book exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page.
You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/exams.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Examine critical issues in the economics of the public sector.
- Review changing national and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
- Explain the working of public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
- Analyse the roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
- Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions and the consequent trade-offs in how they affect different groups in society.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Prescribed textbook
Students are recommended to purchase the following textbook:
Gruber, J, (2023) Public Finance and Public Policy (7th edition IE), Macmillan Higher Education. Abelson, P. (2018) Public Economics: Principles and Practice (4th edition), Open access: https://appliedeconomics.com.au/ Additional weekly readings and resources will be made available on the unit iLearn site during the session.
Technology used and required
The unit uses the learning management system (iLearn) that can be accessed via iLearn.mq.edu.au.
The iLearn site is also used to post important notices. You should check this regularly. The iLearn web page has the facility to allow peer to peer discussion and also allows students to put questions to the teaching staff.
Zoom will be used for all remote consultation sessions. More information about accessing your MQ student Zoom account can be found here.
Learning and teaching activities
All internal students are expected to attend the weekly two-hour f2f sessions. The recordings of these sessions will be available on the iLearn unit page. Every week, an additional pre-recorded lecture will be made available. The Final Exam will be conducted in person (Special consideration may apply for external students). The classes will consist of a mix of lecture material, tutorial questions and discussions (details to be provided on iLearn at the start of the Session). All recorded lectures and discussions will be available on iLearn-ECHO360. It is suggested that weekly lecture material be reviewed in advance of the lecture sessions.
Unit Schedule
We intend to cover the following topics. Further details and updates are available on the iLearn unit page.
Week1: Preliminary Concepts and Their Applications to Government Policies
Week 2: Optimal Social Welfare
Week 3: Externalities and Remedies
Week 4: Public Goods
Week 5: Effective Government Policy
Weeks 6-8: Cost Benefit Analysis
Week 9: Policy Analysis Problem Set. Australian Federal Accounts/Debts
Week 10: Taxation
Week 11: Redistribution, Inequality and Poverty
Week 12: Political Economy
Week 13: Review
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook