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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.

Joshn Frydenberg
Will the federal budget be a victim of the election?
Simon CowanFebruary 26, 2022Canberra Times
Australia is rapidly approaching a federal election campaign — and the potential battlegrounds are expanding...
Nurse protesting
Perrottet needs a hard-headed approach to wages, even for those on the COVID-19 front line
Robert CarlingFebruary 24, 2022Sydney Morning Herald
There are about 500,000 employees in the NSW public sector, accounting for one in eight...
Where is Australia headed?
Nicholas Moore, Tom Switzer, Robert ForsythFebruary 18, 2022

There are good reasons to be distressed about the state of today’s world and Australia’s...

Governor’s Roundtable with Philip Lowe
Simon Cowan, Philip LoweFebruary 10, 2022

CIS welcomed the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe. The Governor provided...

Debt weight over Australia
Australia is out of denial on debt, but has no will to act
Robert CarlingFebruary 9, 2022Financial Review
Fiscal discipline — not at its best even before the pandemic — has gone completely...
Where is Australia headed?
Nicholas Moore, Robert Forsyth, Anjali Nadaradjane, Tom SwitzerFebruary 7, 2022
There are good reasons to be distressed about the state of today’s world and Australia’s...
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...

The fantasy of European integration is over
Oliver Marc HartwichMay 13, 2010Business Spectator

The longer the Greek tragedy lasts, the more it is becoming clear that it is...

The Henry Report, state taxes and the Commonwealth-state divide
Robert CarlingMay 13, 2010Online Opinion

The Resource Super Profits Tax (RSPT) has captured most of the attention since the Henry...

The Quest for the Holy Grail of Tax
Robert CarlingMay 7, 2010

Australia’s Future Tax SystemIn Search of the Holy Grail of Tax Robert Carling is a...

A bailout that hurts the Germans but doesn’t help the Greeks
Oliver Marc HartwichMay 5, 2010Institute of Economic Affairs

After months of agonising discussions, European leaders have agreed on a “solution” for the Greek...

Migrants add to growth hopes
Stephen KirchnerApril 26, 2010The Canberra Times

Population growth has become a political issue, with the Federal Government setting up a population...

Cracking taxes
Oliver Marc HartwichApril 16, 2010

You wouldn’t usually expect to find baking recipes in court judgments, but Justice Sundberg of...

“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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