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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.

The two great threats of 2020: coronavirus – and Keynes
Tony MakinJune 24, 2020Spectator

The fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic leaves an economically threatening legacy of high budget...

It’s time to consign protectionism to the history books
Simon CowanJune 20, 2020Canberra Times

It’s hard to imagine anyone thought the sight of Bob Katter dressed as the Grim...

A universal basic income is still a terrible idea
Glenn FaheyJune 18, 2020Spectator

Opportunists across the political spectrum have been emboldened by the current crisis to propose all...

Coronavirus: It’s Keynes’s fault – again we go into debt to ‘stimulate’ the economy
Tony MakinJune 17, 2020The Australian

The economic impact of, and budgetary response to, the pandemic is often compared to the...

The JobKeeper tap can’t keep flowing
Simon CowanJune 17, 2020Spectator

The easier it is to announce free money during a crisis, the harder it is...

NSW After the Pandemic
Dominic Perrottet, Simon CowanJune 15, 2020

Former NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet joins CIS research director Simon Cowan to discuss the aftermath...

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...

NSW Transport misses the bus by sinking the ferry
May 7, 2006
Fiddle diddle no more, tax needs an overhaul
Peter SaundersApril 28, 2006The Australian Financial Review

As budget day approaches, the Federal Government is coming under mounting pressure to reform our...

Treasurer has us on longer leash
Peter SaundersApril 25, 2006The Australian

Tax freedom day this year is April 25. This means it is a holiday for...

When is a welfare payment not a welfare payment?
Peter SaundersApril 13, 2006The Australian Financial Review

Everyone who earns more than $6,000 per year pays income tax. The zero-rate or ‘tax-free’...

Councils must have real clout
Wolfgang KasperApril 4, 2006The Australian Financial Review

Amid all the talk of tax cuts, Australians should gird themselves for hefty hikes in...

Our beneficiary nation
Phil RennieMarch 15, 2006The Dominion Post

Am I the only one who feels uncomfortable at the latest Working for Families ad...

“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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