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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.

Beware governments bearing projections
Simon CowanJuly 3, 2021Canberra Times

Beware governments bearing projections! Somewhat overlooked — in the cascading national lockdown frenzy — was...

Australian State Budgets Serve Up More Debt on the Menu
Robert CarlingJune 29, 2021Epoch Times

The dramatic transformation of Australia’s fiscal landscape by the COVID-19 pandemic has been confirmed by...

Overcoming economic, cultural and strategic crises
Tom SwitzerJune 28, 2021

Executive Director, Tom Switzer highlights the achievements of CIS as the financial year draws to...

On Liberty EP56 Can Australia succeed in commercialising science?
Salvatore Babones, Bob GrahamJune 23, 2021On Liberty

Australia does a lot of great science, but has a poor record of translating that...

Sorry, but ‘Covid-zero’ can’t be our new normal
Simon CowanJune 19, 2021Canberra Times

As Victoria surfaces slowly from its latest lockdown, it’s become increasingly clear just how difficult...

The State of our Economy
Tom SwitzerJune 19, 2021

Will Canberra’s historic spending blowout lead to an inflation surge, prompting higher interest rates? Where...

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...

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....
Extinction Rebellion
Dark times ahead as Australia faces crisis on crisis
Tom SwitzerDecember 16, 2021The Australian
I used to be an optimist about the world but now I am depressed. When...
We really don’t want to have to deal with runaway inflation
Simon CowanNovember 20, 2021Canberra Times

Last week it was revealed that US Consumer Price Index rose by more than 6%...

Climate retreat may be one too many for the Nats
Scott PrasserNovember 2, 2021The Australian

During the past few weeks, the federal Nationals made headlines when they raised concerns about...

Net Zero By 2050? Don’t Plan on It
Tom SwitzerOctober 28, 2021Wall Street Journal

As leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow for the United Nations climate-change conference, you may...

“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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