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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.

Promises, Performance, and Prospects: Essays on Political Economy 1980-1998
Barry MaleyMarch 11, 2006Policy

Promises, Performance, and Prospects: Essays on Political Economy 1980-1998 By Antonio Martino Reviewed by Barry...

Sensory Order and Economic Order: The links between human cognition and economic freedom in Hayek’s thought
Julie NovakMarch 1, 2006OP101

While Friedrich August von Hayek’s name will forever remain associated with economics, his original scholarly...

HELPless: How the FEE-HELP Loans System Lets Students Down and How to Fix it
Andrew NortonFebruary 27, 2006IA68

Australia pioneered repaying student loans through the tax system, the HECS scheme. In 2005, HECS...

Single-desk philosophy reaps what it sows
Wolfgang KasperFebruary 10, 2006The Australian Financial Review

Economists have long known that business monopolies and the corrupt abuse of political power are...

Tax overhaul long due
Peter SaundersJanuary 20, 2006The Australian

Despite repeated attempts by the Government to ignore it, the clamour for tax reform just...

Make Poverty History: Tackle Corruption
Wolfgang KasperJanuary 19, 2006IA67

The results of the latest international survey of corruption reveal huge international differences. Poor countries...

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...

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...

SUBMARINE
AUKUS nuclear submarine project needs a closer look
Simon CowanApril 8, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

From the very early days of the planning to replace Australia’s diesel-electric Collins Class submarines,...

Aston byelection
Aston a blow but far from an existential crisis for the Libs
Tom SwitzerApril 3, 2023THE AUSTRALIAN

There are dangers in writing liberalism’s obituary. If politics is ultimately determined by living standards,...

Jim Chalmers
Jim Chalmers must cut spending before raising taxes
Robert Carling, Simon CowanMarch 25, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

Before Treasurer Jim Chalmers courted controversy with his essay on “values-based capitalism”, he foreshadowed —...

speak talk speech speaking truth megaphone
Five things we can do to legislate against weasel-wording politicians
Scott PrasserMarch 14, 2023SKY NEWS

Speaking truth to people The Albanese administration’s recent surprise announcements about superannuation — like its...

“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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