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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 EP6 How can we repair the economic damage that has been done?
Salvatore Babones, Judith SloanMay 7, 2020On Liberty

Salvatore Babones speaks with Judith Sloan, contributing economics editor at The Australian. They’ll focus on...

Capitalism is not finished – and we’ll need it to escape this abyss
Tom SwitzerMay 3, 2020Sydney Morning Herald

Since federation, the economic governance of Australia can be conveniently divided into three contrasting periods....

What reform consensus?
Simon CowanApril 30, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

Even though Covid-19 has briefly unified both major parties, and State and Federal government, the...

Coronavirus: advice for the perplexed and bewildered
Steven SchwartzApril 28, 2020Spectator

Are you bewitched, bothered and bewildered about how to deal with the coronavirus? Be not...

Grand coalition economic reforms are best left in the ’80s
Simon CowanApril 25, 2020Canberra Times

You know how we can tell we’ve moved into the next phase of the coronavirus...

Tom Switzer - Executive Director Centre for Independent Studies
Keep a sense of historical perspective
Tom SwitzerApril 23, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

This has been the week of doomsayers. Forecasters talk about double-digit unemployment. A major airline...

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...

Promises, Performance, and Prospects: Essays on Political Economy 1980-1998
Barry MaleyMarch 11, 2006Policy

Promises, Performance, and Prospects: Essays on Political Economy 1980-1998 By Antonio Martino Reviewed by Barry...

Single-desk philosophy reaps what it sows
Wolfgang KasperFebruary 10, 2006The Australian Financial Review

Economists have long known that business monopolies and the corrupt abuse of political power are...

Tax overhaul long due
Peter SaundersJanuary 20, 2006The Australian

Despite repeated attempts by the Government to ignore it, the clamour for tax reform just...

Who should pay child support?
Arti SharmaDecember 13, 2005The Australian

At last, the Howard Government has announced its intention to reform the Family Law Act,...

Tax competition promotes good policy
November 10, 2005The Australian Financial Review

Beginning with the 1998 publication of Harmful Tax Competition: an Emerging Global Issue, the Paris-based...

Handouts won’t cure poverty
Wolfgang KasperOctober 11, 2005The Australian Financial Review

The Australian government has joined the turn-of-millennium drive to eliminate extreme Third World poverty a...

“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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