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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.

Deirdre McCloskey – John Bonython Lecture 2013
December 8, 2013
Minimum wage exemptions for long-term unemployed
Alexander PhilipatosDecember 6, 2013

The welfare lobby is up in arms over the Abbott government's decision to pause and...

Reforming the regulation of foreign direct investment
Stephen KirchnerDecember 3, 2013Infinance
When regulation becomes political interference
Stephen KirchnerDecember 3, 2013The Australian Financial Review

When Prime Minister Tony Abbott gave his victory speech following the election, he declared the...

Emergency Budget Repair Kit
Simon Cowan, Robert Carling, Alexander Philipatos, Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Trisha Jha, Jeremy SammutNovember 22, 2013

The August 2013 Economic Statement estimates that the Underlying Cash Balance for the 2013–14 Budget...

Emergency Budget Repair Kit
November 22, 2013
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...

SUPER WARS
Productivity Commission piles in to Labor’s schizophrenic war on big business
Michael StutchburyNovember 7, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

Industry Minister Tim Ayres rightly says that Australia is in competition for global capital as...

The hard truth: why the government should let this smelter fail
Simon CowanNovember 1, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
If Tomago meets the criteria for a taxpayer bailout, then so do thousands of other...
Here’s how to fix poverty without taxing the rest of us more
Simon CowanOctober 18, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
The fact is, the more tightly assistance is targeted at those in need, the lower...
Pump the brakes, Hastie. Let me explain how wrong you’ve gotten it
Simon CowanOctober 3, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
In reality, it was taxpayers and consumers who were being held hostage: by government who...
Keep raiding our super and you’ll only create a smaller, meaner country
Simon CowanSeptember 20, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
Rumours are swirling that the government may reconsider its superannuation tax changes that will hit...
Australia’s housing push is bipartisan
Peter TulipSeptember 17, 2025SPECTATOR FLAT WHITE
The Liberal party has two traditions, conservatism and support for free markets. Normally, those movements...
“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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