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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.

Australia’s retirement income system prompts another round of national navel-gazing
Robert CarlingNovember 23, 2020Canberra Times

Here we go again – yet another review of retirement incomes, this one the outcome...

It’s time to go to bat for market forces
Simon CowanNovember 22, 2020Canberra Times

Australia suddenly seems optimistic again. It could be news of not one, but two, COVID...

Bread and circus budgets
Robert CarlingNovember 20, 2020Ideas@theCentre

We are in the middle of a very much delayed state and territory budget season....

RBA moves inadequate
Peter TulipNovember 20, 2020Ideas@theCentre

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates to zero and is intervening in financial markets...

RBA needs to do more to boost economy
Peter TulipNovember 16, 2020Canberra Times

Last week the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to zero and said it...

Low debt is so yesterday!
Robert CarlingNovember 13, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

Government borrowings are skyrocketing as you read this. Unfashionable though it is to worry about...

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...

Making things worse
John HumphreysMay 11, 2009Business Spectator

There is an ongoing debate about whether the government’s spending spree is going to work...

Australian libertarians revealed
John HumphreysMay 10, 2009Open Forum

It seems left-wing economic journalist Ross Gittins has just discovered the word ‘libertarian,’ and the...

That 70s Show: Whitlam Era Spending is Back
Stephen KirchnerMay 8, 2009

So much for fiscal conservatives.  The 2009 budget forecasts the biggest expansion in federal government...

It’s all down to the market
Oliver Marc HartwichMay 2, 2009The Australian

Dear David, Budget day is coming up and it's times like these when I realise...

Tax cuts, mutual obligation and labour force flexibility could make or break jobless
May 1, 2009

With a nightmare budget looming in view, it’s tempting to take the fatalistic view that...

Oh joy, the rest of the year is in our pockets
Oliver Marc HartwichApril 23, 2009The Newcastle Herald

Happy Tax Freedom Day! A tax is ‘a compulsory exaction of money by a public...

“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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