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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.

Prime Minister and Treasurer
We are all socialists now, but weren’t we always?
Scott PrasserFebruary 1, 2022Spectator
Before the 2007 federal election I posited that ‘Australians are all conservatives now’ (The Australian,...
Statue of the Queen
The ARM’s ‘Australian Choice’ falls short
Simon CowanJanuary 15, 2022Canberra Times
The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has unveiled its latest model for an Australian republic and,...
Housing
Zoned out: how land use restrictions divide the nation
Peter TulipJanuary 14, 2022Pearls and Irritations
Housing policies ensure continual wealth gains for current home owners while leaving renters and potential...
Dominic Perrottet
The winners and losers of 2021
Simon CowanJanuary 1, 2022Canberra Times
It’s common at this time of year to seek wisdom in reflective aphorisms and clichés....
Yolngu students
Indigenous Voice in Parliament plan sounds by-the-numbers
Nyunggai Warren Mundine AODecember 20, 2021Daily Telegraph
The Commonwealth Coalition government last week announced the new structure of the Indigenous Voice to...
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
Someone has to pay for Australia’s financial largesse
Simon CowanDecember 18, 2021Canberra Times
The government is painting a very rosy picture in its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook....
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...

First steps towards 21st century rail
Oliver Marc HartwichOctober 30, 2009

According to a Chinese proverb, every long journey begins with a first step. This holds...

It’s time to bring back a bit of class to rail travel
Oliver Marc HartwichOctober 29, 2009The Sydney Morning Herald

It’s a pity this year’s Nobel Prize for physics has already been awarded to achievements...

Return to Flyer times with business class
Jennifer Buckingham OAMOctober 29, 2009The Newcastle Herald

The new train service between Sydney and Newcastle advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald promised...

We’re Not So Healthy
Greg LindsayOctober 28, 2009American Enterprise Institute

‘It’s 28th in infant mortality. It’s 47th for number of doctors per capita. On available...

The US deficit canary has rattled the cage in warning of dire eventualities
Robert CarlingOctober 27, 2009The Age

Imagine our Government’s finances being in such bad shape that the Treasury sounded a public...

The next financial crisis is around the corner
Robert CarlingOctober 23, 2009

Even as the current global financial crisis loosens its grip, the seeds of the next...

“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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