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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.

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....

State Tax Reform: Progress and Prospects
March 12, 2008

State Tax Reform: Progress and Prospects The Labor Government has set reform of federalism as...

Laugh or cry – you’ve lost your subsidy Queensland
Robert CarlingMarch 11, 2008Online Opinion

The supercharged Queensland economy passed another milestone this week, although it’s one that Queenslanders may...

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...

Effective aged care reform requires smart thinking, not just a spending spree
Robert CarlingMarch 3, 2021Spectator

The kneejerk media and political reaction to the report of the Royal Commission into aged...

Was the government’s fight with Facebook worth having?
Simon CowanFebruary 27, 2021Canberra Times

The government has claimed victory over Facebook, but it is not at all clear that...

Last tango in Melbourne
Steven SchwartzFebruary 26, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

As Covid-19 trudges through endless revisions of rules and regulations, Australia’s response to the virus...

The problem is whether the legitimate economic concerns of the public can - or should - manifest in monetary policy.
RBA must explain itself
Peter TulipFebruary 26, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

The RBA should be required to explain its decisions. This would make mistakes in monetary...

GameStop reveals anomalies
Zachary LaniganFebruary 26, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

Robinhood, the platform built upon democratising investment, has become an illustrative example of an intrinsic...

Endless fiscal stimulus can’t be the new normal
Robert CarlingFebruary 18, 2021Financial Review

Governments everywhere are being urged to take advantage of near-zero interest rates, throw caution to...

“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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