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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.

Housing Targets
Where should we build new housing? Better targets for local councils
Peter TulipMarch 9, 2023AP45
We are not building enough apartments and we are building them in the wrong place....
Jim Chalmers
Chalmers’ purpose for superannuation is to unite it to Labor’s worldview
Simon CowanFebruary 25, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

The super wars are back! Well … strictly speaking, they never left us. But after...

Consumers, not government, conduct the Australian economy
Simon CowanFebruary 11, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

In recent weeks, as debate has raged over Treasurer Jim Chalmers Monthly essay on capitalism...

The threats from inflation are real and we can’t be complacent
Simon CowanJanuary 16, 2023CANBERRA TIMES

It’s remarkable how quickly we have become blasé about high inflation. Last week’s week’s announcement...

History shows price caps just don’t work
Robert CarlingDecember 28, 2022DAILY TELEGRAPH

This month marks 50 years since the “it’s time” election of the Whitlam Labor government....

Thatcherism
No End of a Lesson: The Imitation Thatcherism of Liz Truss
Simon HefferDecember 14, 2022OP194
The so-called ‘Trussonomics’ of Liz Truss’s short-lived and ill-fated premiership were based on an ignorance...
The Economics of Bureaucracy and Statutory Authorities
Gordon Tullock, Alistair Watson, Peter Swan AO, Warren HoganMarch 21, 1983PF1

Economists have two quite distinct approaches to the study of government enterprises and regulatory agencies....

The Entrepreneur in Society
Barry Maley, Malcolm Fisher, Michael G, Porter, Neville Kennard, Israel KirznerJanuary 1, 1983PF2

Despite his pivotal role in the marketplace, the entrepreneur has not been accorded a major...

The Economics of Bureacracy and Statutory Authorities
Gordon TullockJanuary 1, 1983PF1
Rationalising Rustic Regulation
Ted SieperFebruary 26, 1982RS2

A landmark discussion of agricultural policy in Australia. Written in 1982, Ted Sieper asks ‘who...

A New Financial Revolution? An International Review of the Campbell Report
Malcolm Fisher, A. R. Prest, Michael Parkin, Geoffrey E. Wood, John F. O. Bilson, Tim CongdonFebruary 1, 1982R3

When the Final Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Australian Financial System (the...

Lessons from the Ord
B.R. DavidsonJanuary 1, 1982PM2

Readers will draw their own various conclusions from these two modest but compelling essays. It...

The mental health system may be making us sicker
Steven SchwartzApril 6, 2026CANBERRA TIMES

Australia has a mental health crisis, but not the one we think. Despite decades of...

Housing negative gearing tax
Reducing the discount would likely not have any lasting impact in lowering house prices
Robert Carling, Michael StutchburyMarch 21, 2026CANBERRA TIMES

Anyone watching the smoke signals from Canberra knows that moves are afoot to try and...

Alarm bells ringing on more interest rate pain
Michael StutchburyMarch 18, 2026DAILY TELEGRAPH
Australians were losing faith that the combination of Labor’s economic policies and the RBA monetary...
Labor’s capital gains tax myths need busting
Robert CarlingMarch 11, 2026DAILY TELEGRAPH

Labor has long held an axe over the capital gains tax 50% discount and negative...

Measuring affordability in time, not dollars paints a different inflation picture
Marian L. TupyMarch 9, 2026CANBERRA TIMES

Even before new Middle East conflict sparked concern about petrol prices, Australia’s latest CPI release...

Blame diagnostic inflation for the NDIS’ $10b Autism bill
Steven SchwartzMarch 5, 2026AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

As recently reported in The Australian Financial Review, autism costs the National Disability Insurance Scheme...

“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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