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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.

Tom Switzer - Executive Director Centre for Independent Studies (CIS)
Urgent case for reform
Tom SwitzerMay 21, 2020IDEAS@THECENTRE

For more than two months, federal and state governments have shut down much of Australia’s...

Call for failed past policies
Simon CowanMay 21, 2020IDEAS@THECENTRE

As we get nearer to all major coronavirus restrictions being lifted, again we are seeing...

On Liberty EP8 The importance of the USA and Australia relationship
Salvatore Babones, April PalmerleeMay 21, 2020On Liberty

Salvatore Babones was joined by April Palmerlee, CEO of the AmCham, the American Chamber of...

Not the budget speech
Robert CarlingMay 15, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

The Treasurer’s ministerial statement to parliament this week – in place of the usual budget...

Round, round get around, don’t get around
May 11, 2020SPECTATOR: FLAT WHITE

Travel restrictions in Queensland have been recently relaxed. We are allowed to drive 50 kilometres...

As we edge towards post-COVID life, Australia’s economic choices remain the same
Simon CowanMay 9, 2020Canberra Times

As we get nearer and nearer to the day where some of the major coronavirus...

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...

The blight of restrictive trade policy
Phil RennieDecember 12, 2006The Canberra Times

Protectionism is alive and well in Australia with some of the biggest culprits raising their...

Do tax cuts make a difference?
Phil RennieDecember 12, 2006New Zealand Center For Political Debate

With a budget surplus of over $11 billion the government is fast running out of...

A warrior in the battle of ideas
Greg Lindsay AOOctober 27, 2006The Sydney Morning Herald

Lord (Ralph) Harris of High Cross was the last of a number of extraordinary individuals...

Who’s paying all their tax?
Phil RennieSeptember 14, 2006The Dominion Post

Nobody likes paying tax, but for a large number of people it’s now an inconvenience...

The real priorities
Bjorn LomborgAugust 8, 2006The Australian

A Mayor has a $10million surplus, which he wants to allocate to a good cause....

Structural problems unresolved
Peter SaundersMay 11, 2006The Australian Financial Review

It was a strange budget. The Treasurer addressed almost every concern that critics had expressed...

“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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