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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.

Measuring affordability in time, not dollars paints a different inflation picture
Marian L. TupyMarch 9, 2026CANBERRA TIMES

Even before new Middle East conflict sparked concern about petrol prices, Australia’s latest CPI release...

We can’t avoid the Middle East fallout
Michael StutchburyMarch 6, 2026

While Australia is not directly involved, Donald Trump’s bombing war on Iran’s theocratic despots shows...

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...

Coverage of Marian Tupy’s paper, Zoe Hilton on batteries, Peter Tulip on the RBA
March 6, 2026

Not migrants: research pinpoints housing crisis culprit — Yahoo Restricting Australia’s migrant intake is not...

Coverage of Marian Tupy’s paper, Peter Tulip on housing, Robert Carling on CGT and more
March 5, 2026

Not migrants: research pinpoints housing crisis culprit — Canberra Times and across ACM via AAP...

Blame diagnostic inflation for the NDIS’ $10b Autism bill
Steven SchwartzMarch 5, 2026AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

As recently reported in The Australian Financial Review, autism costs the National Disability Insurance Scheme...

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...

Drowning in a Sea of Diagnoses. How medicalising distress is overwhelming Australia’s mental health system and failing those most in need
Steven SchwartzFebruary 12, 2026AP100

Executive Summary At the centre of Australia’s mental health system lies a paradox. Government...

Equity and the costs of learning
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 31, 2001The Daily Telegraph

Once again the knives have come out over school funding. But what is the real...

Modern perils in a lucky country
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 31, 2001The Daily Telegraph

What is the state of our nation? For the most part, Australians are better off...

Knowledge is a costly affair
July 3, 2001The Australian Financial Review

The Knowledge Nation Taskforce’s comprehensive agenda for upskilling Australia was widely welcomed yesterday. But the...

GDP stands the test of time
Helen HughesMarch 15, 2001The Australian Financial Review

Ed Mishan, a leading English economist, writing when Simon Kuznets was complaining about the shortcomings...

Time to fit the crime
Barry MaleyFebruary 2, 2001The Courier Mail

The first duty of government is to protect the citizen’s person and property, and to...

Commercialising highways
Robert W. PooleNovember 20, 2000

Most people consider the modern auto-highway system a great success. In the United States, automobiles...

Populate and perish? Oliver Hartwich and Jessica Brown
September 28, 2010
Tax Reform – Lateline Business 3 March 2010 -Robert Carling
March 4, 2010
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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