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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.

Josh Frydenberg at CIS
Tom Switzer, Josh FrydenbergJune 18, 2021

Since 2021’s federal budget, the Centre for Independent Studies has lamented that the Coalition government...

It’s nowhere near curtains for oil
Tom SwitzerJune 15, 2021The Australian

Great efforts are under way to decarbonise the global economy. It’s not just that Western...

Yes, in our backyards: how to give the kids a fair crack at home ownership
Peter TulipJune 11, 2021Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney and Melbourne are now the third and sixth least affordable housing markets in the...

What Comes After Australia’s V-Shaped Economic Recovery?
Robert CarlingJune 9, 2021The Epoch Times

The flow of economic data has so far made June a good news month for...

The MMT Hoax
Tony Makin, Gene TunnyMay 27, 2021PP41

Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) is a supposedly new macroeconomic paradigm, but it is essentially a...

Woke Social Engineering With a Big Price Tag: Victorian Budget
Robert CarlingMay 24, 2021The Epoch Times

One of the most intriguing announcements in last week’s Victorian state budget was the removal...

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...

KiwiFail – the ideology of state ownership
Luke MalpassSeptember 11, 2009

When New Zealand’s former Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen announced the re-nationalisation of KiwiRail...

Folly of Housing Stimulus without New Houses
Stephen KirchnerSeptember 4, 2009

The increase in the First Home Owners Grant is a key element of the federal...

War gaming for new government policy
John HumphreysAugust 28, 2009

In troubled times, the government loves to legislate. Whether it is climate change, terrorism or...

A Not So Capital Idea
Stephen KirchnerAugust 21, 2009

It only took until 2pm last Saturday afternoon for the Treasurer to pour cold water...

Desegregation misfires
Elise ParhamAugust 14, 2009

Top down approaches by western governments to end race segregation are dislocating well-functioning communities. The...

Taxing Capital Hurts Labour Too
Stephen KirchnerAugust 7, 2009

Last week’s ALP National Conference passed a resolution sponsored by the party’s left faction and...

“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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