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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.

Three ways that Chalmers’ budget fiddled with the numbers
Robert CarlingMay 17, 2023AFR

There is nothing new in Treasurers stretching the truth to justify their claims to gold-medal...

Dignity & Prosperity: Book Launch with Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott, Tom SwitzerMay 12, 2023
CIS welcome former PM Tony Abbott AC for the launch of Dignity and Prosperity: The...
Welfare looms as a budget no-win for Chalmers
Simon CowanMay 8, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

We are now in the rapid run-up to next week’s budget, with each day bringing...

Why it’s a myth that Australia is a low-taxing country
Robert CarlingMay 2, 2023AFR

Taxation statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week were quite startling in...

Reserve Bank of Australia RBA Reforms
RBA reforms risk creating economic policy vacuum
Simon CowanApril 22, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

There was a point in history where a review of the Reserve Bank of Australia...

Broke no money government spending
Victoria’s crippled finances are all Daniel Andrews’ fault
Robert CarlingApril 11, 2023AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

If Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews is begging for the federal government’s help for his state’s...

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...

Drowning in a Sea of Diagnoses. How medicalising distress is overwhelming Australia’s mental health system and failing those most in need
Steven SchwartzFebruary 12, 2026AP100

Executive Summary At the centre of Australia’s mental health system lies a paradox. Government...

There are two ways to lift our living standards. Coasting isn’t one of them
Simon CowanAugust 26, 2024CANBERRA TIMES
News this week that the iron ore price has fallen to the lowest level in...
Déjà voodoo economics
Steven SchwartzAugust 23, 2024SPECTATOR
Ah, politics—the ancient and mystical art of convincing people that 2 + 2 can, in...
Just how independent is the Reserve Bank?
Simon CowanAugust 12, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

It will be interesting to see whether the RBA’s paralysis will be successful in taming...

qantas yes23 voice plane feature
The unfortunate rise of ‘stakeholder capitalism’
Simon CowanJuly 27, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

The bitterness that has infected the US presidential race has not declined since the Democratic...

price gouging supermarket bill receipt 16x9
Coalition’s half-baked supermarket policies will have you paying more
Simon CowanJuly 13, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

Last week the Coalition announced they would introduce “sector-specific divestiture powers as a last resort...

inflation
Tax cuts + inflation = 80% of Aussies worse off by end of decade
Simon Cowan, Matthew TaylorJune 29, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

The contrast between this week’s high inflation figures with the long-awaited commencement of the Stage...

“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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