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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.

The Government Giveth and the Government Taketh Away: Tax Welfare Churning and the Case for Welfare State Opt-Outs
Peter SaundersMay 14, 2007PM74

Australians are more prosperous than ever before, so the number of people needing government assistance...

No real value in tax changes
Peter SaundersMay 10, 2007The Courier Mail

Real tax reform requires lower, fewer and flatter tax rates Now the dust has settled,...

None of the Treasurer’s budget handouts makes any economic sense
Peter SaundersMay 10, 2007The Australian

What was the overall rationale driving Peter Costello's 12th budget? What fundamental objectives was he...

Budget should deliver us a break
Robert CarlingApril 29, 2007Sunday Age

Income tax reform should be tackled in the federal budget. View this through the prism...

Public purse is a burden we all carry
Robert CarlingApril 24, 2007The Australian

IT doesn't have the significance of Anzac Day and you don't get a public holiday...

Tax reform: we have barely scratched the surface
Robert CarlingApril 16, 2007The Australian Financial Review

As preparation of the 2007-08 Commonwealth budget moves into top gear, it is timely to...

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...

Fines and freedoms
Simon CowanApril 16, 2020Ideas@TheCentre

When a learner driver is fined more than $1,650 for ‘non-essential travel’ by going for...

Students are starting school online this week – only to face a Ruddy mess
Glenn FaheyApril 14, 2020Spectator

Nobody could have predicted the demands of this year’s schooling transformation, but we could —...

The Koronavirus Keystone Kops threaten our health and our liberty
Robert CarlingApril 14, 2020Spectator

In the space of just a few weeks, the rule of law in Australia has...

Have we given up our individual freedoms too easily?
Simon CowanApril 11, 2020Canberra Times

When a learner driver is fined more than $1650 for “non-essential travel” by going for...

Wait until we emerge from shelter – and see the economic damage done
Robert CarlingApril 9, 2020Spectator

If we think of coronavirus as a severe tropical cyclone, when it passes and we...

Coronavirus: Road map needed for getting back to work
Salvatore BabonesApril 3, 2020The Australian

We all hope social distancing is saving lives, but there is no doubt that it...

“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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