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Students

ECON3000 – Public Economics

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor & Lecturer
Pundarik Mukhopadhaya
pundarik.mukhopadhaya@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Dodo J Thampapillai
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 equity-efficiency trade-offs, taxation, public expenditure, public sector pricing and 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 and various contemporary national and international public policies.

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 Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Skills development: Policy analysis 30% No 26/03/2026 Individual No Observed
Professional practice: Policy case analysis 20% No Week 10 Individual and Group No Open AI
Formal examination 50% No University examination period Individual No Observed

Skills development: Policy analysis

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 26/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

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:

  • Communication skills
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Short answers to problem sets

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.

Professional practice: Policy case analysis

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this group assessment is to develop your appreciation of the importance of government policies to the economy. You will write a group case study essay showcasing the different ways in which government policies affect the economy and their effectiveness.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Work readiness
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship
Deliverable(s): Case study essay [max 2500 words]
 
Individual and group 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.

Formal examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

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. 

Deliverable(s): Formal exam

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.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

Prescribed textbook

  • Gruber, J, (2023) Public Finance and Public Policy (7th edition IE), Macmillan Higher Education.

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 and online tutorials. 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.  An additional pre-recorded lecture may be made available each week.  The Final Exam and the "Skills development: Policy analysis" assessment 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

Tentatively following topics will be covered (subject to changes) [Further details are available on the iLearn unit page]

Week1: Preliminary Concepts

Week 2: Optimal Social Welfare

Week 3: Externality

Week 4: Public Goods

Week 5: Skills development: Policy analysis assessment 

Week 6-8: Cost-Benefit Analysis

Week 9-10: Taxation

Week 11: Inequality and Redistribution of Income

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:

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.

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:

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 2026.03 of the Handbook