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• Economic Policy

CIS is guided by the philosophy of global free markets and individual responsibility. Our economic policy research centres on ideas for continuing reform that will strengthen Australia’s economic independence and prosperity, and challenge the over-reach of big government.

FDI Liberalisation Falls Short
Stephen KirchnerAugust 5, 2009Institutional economics

The federal Treasurer has announced measures to liberalise Australia’s regulatory regime for foreign direct investment...

Taxing the poor to pay for teeth
John HumphreysAugust 4, 2009Open Forum

In the middle of a global recession, the government is considering a regressive increase in...

Fiscal Rules for Limited Government: Reforming Australia’s Fiscal Responsibility Legislation
Robert CarlingJuly 28, 2009PM98

Australia needs new fiscal responsibility legislation to ensure that fiscal policy is subject to the...

Stimulus advertising only supports MPs’ jobs
Robert CarlingJuly 24, 2009

Tripe isn’t most people’s idea of an appealing breakfast, certainly not mine. But readers of...

Poor people can’t eat good intentions
John HumphreysJuly 17, 2009

Apparently, politics is simple. Either you are good and care for people, or you don’t. ...

Fiscal activists can’t have their cake and eat it
Stephen KirchnerJuly 17, 2009

It was not that long ago that many economic commentators were talking of a direct...

Humankind and the infinite resource base
Marian L. TupyApril 2, 2026OP212

This paper examines the human ability to expand our resource base into infinity. Given human...

Why We Should Not Increase Capital Gains Tax
Robert CarlingMarch 11, 2026PP64
Debate about capital gains tax rarely occurs in isolation. It typically emerges during periods of...
10 CGT Myths Busted
Robert CarlingMarch 11, 2026IA155

The criticisms and characterisation of the 50% capital gains tax discount over many years have...

Growth that Builds: Beyond the immigration blame game 
Marian L. TupyMarch 5, 2026PP63
This paper argues that Australia’s housing crisis is primarily a supply failure, not simply a...
Reform of Heritage Legislation
Peter TulipFebruary 26, 2026PP62

Introduction Several states have recently overhauled their planning legislation. However, the flaws in their heritage...

Hours, Not Dollars: Rethinking the cost-of-living debate 
Marian L. TupyFebruary 23, 2026AP102

Executive Summary Public debate about the ‘cost-of-living crisis’ often confuses nominal price increases with declining...

Blame bigger government for falling living standards
Nicholas Moore, Tom SwitzerJanuary 28, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Many people roll their eyes at the mention of the word, but productivity matters. Simply...
super nest egg savings
Make large-scale reforms to super or leave it alone
Simon CowanJanuary 25, 2025CANBERRA TIMES

The Treasurer’s announcement that the government remains committed to its terrible super tax changes is...

Yes, the public service can be more efficient. But it won’t solve all our woes
Simon CowanJanuary 11, 2025THE CANBERRA TIMES

Even though the words of Auld Lang Syne have disappeared once again into the leaking...

Mining industry foes would leave us with fewer roads, hospitals and schools
Gene TunnyJanuary 10, 2025DAILY TELEGRAPH

Coal and gas royalty payments from mining companies are a major revenue stream for state...

Voters across the world are resentful, angry and lashing out
Simon CowanDecember 28, 2024CANBERRA TIMES
This year’s biggest losers have been political incumbents. Across the world, voters have been punishing...
This childcare overhaul will actually do very little for parents
Simon CowanDecember 14, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

The news this week that the Prime Minister has committed to abolishing the activity test...

“The 50% discount is unfair” and other CGT myths | Robert Carling & Michael Stutchbury
Robert Carling, Michael StutchburyMarch 11, 2026

The criticisms and characterization of the 50% capital gains tax discount over many years have...

The Case for Optimism: More People, More Ideas, More Wealth | Marian Tupy
Marian L. Tupy, Michael StutchburyMarch 6, 2026

Marian Tupy — editor of HumanProgress.org, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, and co-author of...

Old buildings and the housing crisis with Peter Tulip
Peter TulipMarch 4, 2026

Peter Tulip explains how several states have recently overhauled their planning legislation. However, the flaws...

Angus Taylor at CIS: Economic Reform, Immigration, and Australia’s Cost of Living Crisis
Angus Taylor, Michael StutchburyFebruary 19, 2026

Speaking at his first address outside Canberra since being elected Leader of the Opposition by...

Reflecting Back: John Howard and Alexander Downer on Power, Alliances and Australia
John Howard OM AC, Alexander DownerFebruary 6, 2026

Alexander Downer and former Prime Minister John Howard join author Tony Parkinson and CIS Executive...

‘NIMBYism is a cancer’: Bragg outlines housing policy vision with Peter Tulip & Michael Stutchbury
Andrew Bragg, Peter Tulip, Michael StutchburyDecember 12, 2025

Senator Andrew Bragg and economist Peter Tulip join Michael Stutchbury for a wide-ranging conversation on...

Submission to Senate Inquiry into Illegal Tobacco Crisis in Australia
Michael StutchburyJanuary 15, 2026
The federal government should pause increases in tobacco excise to weaken the profit of the...
Submission to Senate Education and Employment References Committee
Michael Wu October 22, 2025CIS

Despite good intentions, Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care system has expanded well beyond its...

Submission to Productivity Commission’s Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation Interim Report
September 15, 2025

The Productivity Commission’s statement that careful emissions reduction policy design will enable gains in productivity...

Submission to Heritage NSW
Peter TulipJuly 18, 2025CIS

This submission argues that NSW’s heritage legislation has serious flaws. In particular, costs of listing...

Submission to Victorian Legislative Council Select Committee Inquiry
Peter TulipMay 5, 2025CIS

Victoria Planning Provisions Amendments VC257, VC267 and VC274: Submission to Victorian Legislative Council Select Committee...

Submission to the Inquiry into financial regulation and home ownership
Peter TulipOctober 15, 2024
Regulation of the financial system is needed to protect depositors and avoid financial crises. However,...
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