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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.

Extra infrastructure spending won’t build a road out of the corona recession
Tony MakinSeptember 1, 2020Spectator

Increased government spending on infrastructure has been proposed yet again to revive the economy from...

Cutting take-home pay? Job losses? How do we afford superannuation rise?
Simon CowanAugust 29, 2020Canberra Times

In the wake of recent legislated changes improving our choice of super fund, the government...

When ‘indexation’ does not mean ‘increase’
Robert CarlingAugust 27, 2020Ideas@theCentre

The politics of social benefits contribute in no small way to the difficulties in containing...

The tyranny that strikes a friendless Clive Palmer could hurt any of us
Tom Switzer, Robert CarlingAugust 23, 2020Sydney Morning Herald

We don’t know Clive Palmer and we have no time for his antics. However, not...

IR reform key to recovery
Simon CowanAugust 21, 2020Ideas@theCentre

For several weeks now, the government has clearly been floating balloons in the IR space...

Does this government have the guts to take on IR reform?
Simon CowanAugust 15, 2020Canberra Times

Coronavirus has caused the government to reconsider policy areas, such as industrial relations, once buried...

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...

Bailing-Out or Crowding-Out?
Stephen KirchnerOctober 22, 2008

Losses on subprime-related debt instruments have resulted in a liquidity crisis becoming a solvency crisis...

Fiscal stimulus plan has missed opportunities for long term reform
Stephen KirchnerOctober 15, 2008The Wall Street Journal

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has just unveiled a fiscal stimulus plan worth 10.4 billion...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Stephen KirchnerSeptember 23, 2008The Australian Financial Review

Authorities in the US and the UK have placed temporary restrictions on short selling financial...

AussieMac Won’t Work
Stephen KirchnerSeptember 8, 2008The Australian Financial Review

The commencement of a new easing cycle by the Reserve Bank of Australia has put...

$4billion government subsidy will not promote competition
Stephen KirchnerAugust 30, 2008The Age

The federal government’s decision to purchase $4 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) has been...

OAP rise is doubly taxing for GEN X and Y
Jeremy SammutAugust 15, 2008The Australian

This week’s debate about the future of the old age pension provides an insight into...

“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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