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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.

KiwiSaver or KiwiSucker? A Critical View
Phil RennieMay 7, 2008IA94

The promised benefits of KiwiSaver do not match the high cost of the taxpayer subsidies....

Kiwisaver or KiwiSucker?
Phil RennieMay 7, 2008The Wall Street Journal Asia

You’d have to be an idiot not to join KiwiSaver, according to most financial advisors....

The False Promise of GP Super Clinics: Part 1: Preventive Care
Jeremy SammutMay 6, 2008PM84

Dr Jeremy Sammut examines the evidence for preventive care programs to help make the Medicare...

Still no freedom from higher taxes
Robert CarlingApril 23, 2008

Robert Carling is a senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies.

...
Fat Tax unfair to fat and thin taxpayers alike
Jeremy SammutApril 22, 2008The Australian

Was this really the best ‘big idea’ the health panel at the 2020 Summit could...

Who should pay for maternity leave – employers, unions or taxpayers?
April 14, 2008The Age

Elizabeth Broderick, Sharan Burrow and Heather Ridout have come together to argue in favour of...

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...

Politicians no friends to home borrowers
Stephen KirchnerFebruary 19, 2010

Dr Stephen Kirchner is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies.

...
Europe’s slow, painful death
Oliver Marc HartwichFebruary 17, 2010Business Spectator

There is something comical about current talk about a potential Greek bankruptcy. No, the state...

The high price of subsidies
February 14, 2010Sunday Star-Times

Last week, the film Avatar overtook Titanic to become the highest grossing movie in history...

Indigenous people need less not more discrimination
Jeremy SammutFebruary 12, 2010

Dr Jeremy Sammut is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. Sara Hudson...

The euro is a failed experiment that should be cashed in
Oliver Marc HartwichFebruary 10, 2010The Australian

Greece’s budget problems are not just a worry for this small economy at the periphery...

Ripped off and overcharged? Not necessarily
Oliver Marc HartwichFebruary 2, 2010The Courier-Mail

Executives at retail giant Coles certainly have a good sense for PR. On Australia Day...

“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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