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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.

Lessons from the Freiburg School: The Institutional Foundations of Freedom and Prosperity
Wolfgang KasperJuly 1, 1993OP44

West Germany’s post-war economic success was based on the ideas of the ‘Freiburg School,’ a...

Economics 93
Tim RileyApril 9, 1993SP1993

This is the third book in a series which records the proceedings of a National...

Advertising Bans: Administrative Decisions or Matters of Principle?
John GrayDecember 1, 1992OP42

Whereas in modern times artistic and cultural freedoms have expanded, freedom of commercial expression has...

The Illusions of Comparable Wealth
Gabriel A. Moens, Suri RatnapalaJune 1, 1992PM23

The quest for the ‘just wage’ is perennial, but the concept has eluded satisfactory definition....

Economics 92
Tim RileyApril 9, 1992SP1992

This is the second book in a series which records the proceedings of a National...

Wages and Welfare: the failing symbiosis
P.A. McGavinFebruary 1, 1992PM21

Labour-market regulations and welfare programs are significant features of Australia’s economic and social fabric. Many...

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...

Bread and circus budgets
Robert CarlingNovember 20, 2020Ideas@theCentre

We are in the middle of a very much delayed state and territory budget season....

RBA moves inadequate
Peter TulipNovember 20, 2020Ideas@theCentre

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates to zero and is intervening in financial markets...

RBA needs to do more to boost economy
Peter TulipNovember 16, 2020Canberra Times

Last week the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to zero and said it...

Low debt is so yesterday!
Robert CarlingNovember 13, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

Government borrowings are skyrocketing as you read this. Unfashionable though it is to worry about...

Why we need to stay concerned by debt
Robert CarlingNovember 11, 2020Spectator

Government borrowings are skyrocketing as you read this. Unfashionable though it is to worry about...

Bordering on the absurd
Robert CarlingOctober 30, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

November 3 is shaping up as a big day in the 2020 calendar: the US...

“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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