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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.

On Liberty EP43 How big is big enough government?
Glenn Fahey, Matthew LeshMarch 17, 2021On Liberty

“The goal should be to shrink, focus and improve the state.” We welcomed Adam Smith...

AP19
Implications of the Retirement Income Review: Public advocacy of private profligacy?
Terrence O’BrienMarch 17, 2021AP19

The recent Retirement Income Review implies policies that would reduce after-tax returns to super saving,...

Opening up — not shuttering — markets will drive Australia’s post-COVID 19 recovery
Joanne TranMarch 15, 2021Spectator

Opening up — not shuttering — markets will drive Australia’s post-COVID 19 recovery. Despite this,...

Open economy for recovery
Joanne TranMarch 12, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

Opening up — not shuttering — markets will drive Australia’s post-COVID 19 recovery. Despite this,...

Improving aged care doesn’t justify tax
Robert CarlingMarch 5, 2021Ideas@TheCentre

The report of the Royal Commission into aged care released this week has already been...

On Liberty EP41 The Paradox of Prosperity
Salvatore Babones, Peter MurphyMarch 3, 2021On Liberty

Does prosperity depend on discipline, rational planning, and strict adherence to scientific principles? Or is...

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...

Taxation rhetoric and reality
John HumphreysJanuary 30, 2009Business Spectator

In the 2008 Budget the government outlined its plan for future tax cuts. In light...

‘Rudd Bank’ puts taxpayers last
Stephen KirchnerJanuary 28, 2009The Australian Financial Review

The Rudd government’s $2 billion intervention to provide loans to the commercial property sector is...

Accepting the recession
John HumphreysJanuary 26, 2009The Canberra Times

As Australia gets caught up in the global financial crisis, there has been much discussion...

Keynes was wrong about the evils of thrift
Stephen KirchnerJanuary 13, 2009The Australian Financial Review

The Rudd government has urged Australians to spend-up in an effort to ward-off an economic...

Defining greed is an indulgence of its own
Oliver Marc HartwichDecember 30, 2008The Sydney Morning Herald

Complicated times provoke simple answers. As the global financial crisis keeps unfolding, the no less...

Flinging wads of dosh about won’t work
Stephen KirchnerDecember 10, 2008The Age

As $8.7 billion in federal government payments land in the bank accounts of families 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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