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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.

Endless fiscal stimulus can’t be the new normal
Robert CarlingFebruary 18, 2021Financial Review

Governments everywhere are being urged to take advantage of near-zero interest rates, throw caution to...

Islands are Moving Not Sinking!
Bjorn Lomborg, Tom SwitzerFebruary 18, 2021

Global warming is a problem that we should tackle… smartly. But climate change will not...

RBA’s lack of interest
Peter TulipFebruary 12, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

At last Friday’s Parliamentary hearing, the RBA’s performance was disappointing. It appeared reluctant to consider...

The Reserve Bank needs accountability that only external scrutiny can provide
Peter TulipFebruary 11, 2021Pearls and Irritations

The RBA is failing to meet its statutory objectives. Underlying inflation has fallen below the...

Using political logic, quarantines, border closures and lockdowns may never end
Steven SchwartzFebruary 9, 2021Spectator

The recent knee-jerk lockdown has sparked more discussion about the ‘value’ of a human life....

Let them build solar panels
Glenn FaheyFebruary 5, 2021IDEAS@THECENTRE

While politically inconvenient, and sometimes imparting short-term pain for workers, labour market churn is crucial...

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 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...

From $43B to $70B: The NBN Disaster and Off-Budget Deception
November 27, 2025

Ever wondered how governments keep massive spending hidden from the public eye? In this eye-opening...

Peter Costello on the Legacy of Reform and the Road Ahead
Peter CostelloNovember 7, 2025

From economic reform and rising government spending to cultural shifts and the decline of liberalism,...

Coalition’s vision for economic & productivity reform | Sussan Ley & Michael Stutchbury
October 22, 2025

At this Centre for Independent Studies lunch forum on 20 October 2025, Opposition Leader Sussan...

Consumer Choice, Risk & Safety with Fred Roeder and Michael Stutchbury
Michael StutchburyOctober 20, 2025

Where is the line between risk and regulation? In this episode of The Stutchbury Sessions,...

How Australia Lost Its Economic Edge
Michael StutchburyOctober 10, 2025

Australia’s economy is slowing. Productivity has flatlined, debt is soaring, and growth has frozen. What...

Housing Reform in NSW & New Zealand | Chris Minns, Chris Bishop & Peter Tulip
Peter TulipAugust 28, 2025

At this Centre for Independent Studies forum, NSW Premier Chris Minns and New Zealand Housing...

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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