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Measuring Poverty and Inequality from Highly Aggregated Small Area Data: The Changing Fortunes of Latrobe Valley Households

Author

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  • Jill Wright
  • Ma. Rebecca Valenzuela
  • Duangkamon Chotikapanich

Abstract

The Latrobe Valley generates 85% of Victoria's electricity. The progressive privatisation of the electricity industry between 1989 and 1997, had a lasting effect on income distribution in the region. This paper investigates the change in income level, inequality and poverty for this region between 1986 and 2006. To circumvent data availability issues, we propose a general method of using aggregated data to obtain regional income distributions. We find that in 1986 Latrobe Valley incomes were well above other non-metropolitan areas while inequality measures were relatively low. Mean income subsequently dropped below comparable locations while inequality rose. Although income levels had partially recovered by 2006, inequality measures continued to rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Jill Wright & Ma. Rebecca Valenzuela & Duangkamon Chotikapanich, 2011. "Measuring Poverty and Inequality from Highly Aggregated Small Area Data: The Changing Fortunes of Latrobe Valley Households," Monash Econometrics and Business Statistics Working Papers 4/12, Monash University, Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
    • Handle: RePEc:msh:ebswps:2012-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ann Harding & Aggie Szukalska, 2000. "Trends in Child Poverty in Australia, 1982 to 1995–96," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 76(234), pages 236-254, September.
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    3. George Athanasopoulos & Farshid Vahid, 2003. "Statistical Inference and Changes in Income Inequality in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 79(247), pages 412-424, December.
    4. Bernard Trendle, 2005. "Sources Of Regional Income Inequality: An Examination Of Small Regions In Queensland," Review of Urban & Regional Development Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 35-50, March.
    5. Ann Harding & Rachel Lloyd & Anthea Bill & Anthony King, 2004. "Assessing Poverty and Inequality at a Detailed Regional Level: New Advances in Spatial Microsimulation," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2004-26, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    6. repec:bla:ecorec:v:76:y:2000:i:234:p:236-54 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Simhauser, Paul, 2005. "The Gains from the Microeconomic Reform of the Power Generation Industry in East-Coast Australia," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1-2), pages 23-43, March/Sep.
    8. Philip Maxwell & Matthew Peter, 1988. "Income Inequality in Small Regions: A Study of Australian Statistical Divisions," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 18(1), pages 19-27, Winter.
    9. Tony Eardley, 2000. "Working but Poor? Low Pay and Poverty in Australia," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 11(2), pages 308-338, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Poverty; inequality; restructure; privatization; small-area income distribution.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • R13 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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