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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.

The Resource Rent Tax. A Penality of Risk Taking
John Bowers, Ray BallAugust 16, 1983PM5
The Entreprenuer in Society
Barry MaleyApril 1, 1983PF2
The Economics of Bureaucracy and Statutory Authorities
Gordon Tullock, Alistair Watson, Peter Swan AO, Warren HoganMarch 21, 1983PF1

Economists have two quite distinct approaches to the study of government enterprises and regulatory agencies....

The Entrepreneur in Society
Barry Maley, Malcolm Fisher, Michael G, Porter, Neville Kennard, Israel KirznerJanuary 1, 1983PF2

Despite his pivotal role in the marketplace, the entrepreneur has not been accorded a major...

The Economics of Bureacracy and Statutory Authorities
Gordon TullockJanuary 1, 1983PF1
Rationalising Rustic Regulation
Ted SieperFebruary 26, 1982RS2

A landmark discussion of agricultural policy in Australia. Written in 1982, Ted Sieper asks ‘who...

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...

Time for a fresh look at indexation of social benefits
Robert CarlingNovember 22, 2013

As I wrote in this space three weeks ago, if the Abbott government is serious...

Cut waste by cutting departments
Alexander PhilipatosNovember 22, 2013

The federal government has expanded significantly over the past half century, taking on more roles...

Double trouble means it’s time for drastic cuts
Alexander Philipatos, Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 21, 2013The Canberra Times

The federal government's commission of audit is a prime opportunity to scrutinise the activities of...

The challenge facing the Abbott government
Simon CowanNovember 21, 2013The Drum
Stamp duty needs reform
Robert CarlingNovember 19, 2013The Australian Financial Review

State governments enjoy real estate booms, like the one that gathered momentum in Sydney this...

Get used to tighter budgets
Alexander PhilipatosNovember 15, 2013

All government agencies, even our most important ones, will need to learn to live on...

“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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