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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.

Debunking Degrowth
Gene TunnySeptember 7, 2023AP54
In a country with a growing population, such as Australia, a policy of degrowth would...
A Future Without Future Funds
Dimitri BurshteinAugust 10, 2023PP52

In 1984, Milton Friedman reminded us that “there is nothing so permanent as a temporary...

scales
Superannuation tax: Why the total balance threshold should be shelved
Robert CarlingJuly 13, 2023PP51
This paper is a further developed version of the author’s submission to the Treasury consultation...
Cohort of losers: generational burden of government Covid response
Gigi FosterJune 13, 2023AP49
In the Covid era, many policies were defended on the basis that they would help...
Markets & Prosperity
A new pathway to prosperity
Tom SwitzerJune 1, 2023CONNOR COURT

Tom Switzer’s chapter contribution, “A new pathway to prosperity,” in Harry Stutchbury’s (edited) Markets &...

Lessons for liberals from the Anglosphere
Tom SwitzerJune 1, 2023CONNOR COURT

Tom Switzer’s chapter contribution, “Lessons for liberals from the Anglosphere,” in David Steven’s (edited) Dignity...

Donald Trump can’t bully Adam Smith
Tom SwitzerApril 29, 2025AFR

Nearly 40 years ago, during her transformative and market-driven prime ministership of the United Kingdom,...

‘More affordable housing’ actually makes a large cohort of voters very angry
Simon CowanApril 19, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
Actual solutions would involve negotiating with state and local government to change the policy settings...
Housing negative gearing tax
The $5b move that could smash house prices
Peter TulipApril 15, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
The housing policy promises from the major parties both offer assistance for housing supply, but...
The only thing America liberated itself from was prosperity
Simon CowanApril 5, 2025CANBERRA TIMES
For a policy that is being promoted as good for US businesses, it sure seems...
Old pastime of redistribution, regulation, reckless spending returns
Tom SwitzerMarch 31, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
If you’re wondering why this election campaign does not have a clear frontrunner, the lack...
The tax cut that will only buy you a coffee
Robert CarlingMarch 27, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Labor government appears to have chosen a cut confined to the lowest rate so...
“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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