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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.

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...

Twenty Million Future Funds
Peter SaundersDecember 21, 2005IA66

This report is the third in a series of three titled ‘Restoring Self-Reliance in Welfare’...

Who should pay child support?
Arti SharmaDecember 13, 2005The Australian

At last, the Howard Government has announced its intention to reform the Family Law Act,...

Education and Learning in an Aboriginal Community
Veronica ClearyDecember 6, 2005IA65

Educational reforms are urgently needed if children in remote Aboriginal communities are to enjoy the...

Reform 30/30: Rebuilding Australia’s Tax and Welfare Systems
John HumphreysNovember 25, 2005PM70

While the announcement of tax simplification by the Government is a step in the right...

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...

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae: Guaranteed to fail?
Stephen KirchnerMay 17, 2011The Conversation

The global financial crisis has occasioned a vast literature purporting to analyse the causes and...

Gillard’s population policy at sea
May 17, 2011Business Spectator

Is the Gillard government for a big Australia or not? Anyone following the news this...

Back in the black or still in the red?
Robert CarlingMay 13, 2011

Wayne Swan’s boast that the Commonwealth budget is ‘back in the black’ deserves a sceptical...

Light bulbs and set top boxes
Oliver Marc HartwichMay 13, 2011

We have all heard many versions of the famous light bulb joke. Like this one:...

The Don reignites the war of ideas
May 13, 2011Spectator

Margaret Thatcher is famously said to have banged a copy of F.A. Hayek’s seminal work...

Eurovision notes EU disharmony
Oliver Marc HartwichMay 13, 2011Business Spectator

I have always wondered why SBS keeps broadcasting the Eurovision song contest year after year....

“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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