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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.

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What the opposition really needs to return to power
Simon CowanDecember 3, 2022CANBERRA TIMES

There is a growing problem on the right of politics. The evidence is not just...

social security written on typewriter
Pocock’s inclusion committee another blow to fiscal discipline
Robert CarlingNovember 30, 2022AFR

The deal between the Albanese government and Senator David Pocock to get the industrial relations...

wages growth
Wages Growth in Australia: Evidence and policy evaluation
Gene TunnyNovember 24, 2022PP47
This Policy Paper reviews the evidence regarding wages growth in Australia since the 2008 financial...
Union influence
Why the system necessary for union influence to be effective has fallen away
Simon CowanNovember 19, 2022CANBERRA TIMES

With upcoming state elections in NSW and Victoria, not to mention the election of a...

Diamonds netball team
Visit Victoria’s bailout of Netball Australia turns activism into a political move
Simon CowanNovember 5, 2022CANBERRA TIMES

The saga of Netball Australia’s initial failed partnership with Hancock Prospecting, and its subsequent replacement...

On Liberty EP102 2022 Federal Budget Recap Part 2
Simon Cowan, John KehoeNovember 2, 2022On Liberty
Guest host Simon Cowan reenters the budget bunker to discuss the second federal budget in...
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...

The end of cash for diagnosis? Now that would be a good thing
Steven SchwartzAugust 28, 2025THE AUSTRALIAN
The Albanese government’s plan to divert children with mild developmental delays out of the NDIS...
Productivity roundtable’s uncertain impact. What was the point?
Simon CowanAugust 23, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
Surely it was not the 10 supposed reform directions, some of which contradict the others...
degrowth
Summit must end national complacency about Australia’s prosperity
Michael StutchburyAugust 18, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Economic Reform Roundtable should commit to making Australia an aspirational and enterprise-driven, high-growth nation...
At this rate, the only outcome from this summit will be making us poorer
Simon CowanAugust 9, 2025CANBERRA TIMES

As we approach the productivity summit to end all summits, the various players have begun...

Government’s spending surge a threat to productivity
Simon Cowan, Robert CarlingJuly 26, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
As we get closer to the productivity roundtable that the government hopes will solve all...
Labor’s path to joining the worst welfare states
Robert CarlingJuly 23, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Jim Chalmers’ economic reform roundtable must confront Australia’s entitlement mindset – which governments have fostered....
“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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