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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.

ASIC v Westpac
Simon CowanAugust 23, 2019Ideas@TheCentre

The recent furore about Justice Perram’s remarks that “borrowers ditch wagyu steaks and shiraz for...

ASIC v Westpac judgment shows it’s not always fair to blame the banks
Simon CowanAugust 17, 2019The Canberra Times

It’s being billed as Australia’s “let them eat cake” moment: a federal court judge so...

It’s time to storm the gates on age pension reform
Simon CowanAugust 11, 2019CANBERRA TIMES

There’s always been something of an irony in the invocation of the phrase “an Englishman’s...

Super misdirection
Simon CowanAugust 9, 2019Ideas@TheCentre

Misunderstanding and misdirection abounds in the current superannuation debate. It is an incontrovertible fact that...

Social media not the biggest threat
Monica WilkieAugust 9, 2019Ideas@TheCentre

Social media has been blamed for an epidemic of damaging misinformation that has poisoned political...

Making cents out of the superannuation debate
Simon CowanAugust 3, 2019The Canberra Times

We are in the midst of another debate on the merits of Australia’s super system;...

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...

Fat Tax unfair to fat and thin taxpayers alike
Jeremy SammutApril 22, 2008The Australian

Was this really the best ‘big idea’ the health panel at the 2020 Summit could...

Who should pay for maternity leave – employers, unions or taxpayers?
April 14, 2008The Age

Elizabeth Broderick, Sharan Burrow and Heather Ridout have come together to argue in favour of...

Add State Tax Reform to COAG’s agenda
Robert CarlingApril 8, 2008The Australian Financial Review

Judging from what has so far been revealed of Kevin Rudd’s vision of cooperative federalism,...

The RBA is at another arm’s length, but what about transparency.
Stephen KirchnerMarch 27, 2008The Age

One of the Rudd Government's first acts in office was to announce a "new era...

Beware Canberra’s power bid
Robert CarlingMarch 26, 2008The Australian

Today's Council of Australian Governments meeting is the latest step in the Rudd Government's drive...

Throwing the baby bonus out with the bathwater
Peter SaundersMarch 25, 2008ABC News Online

The baby bonus was introduced by John Howard in 2004 to replace the maternity allowance....

“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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