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• Regulation

Most people agree that some rules are necessary for markets to work. But what rules do we really need? And how can we make sure they do not become too much of a burden on businesses and consumers?

MEDIA RELEASE: MYEFO – Spending remains near GFC emergency levels
Simon Cowan, Michael PotterDecember 15, 2015

The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) released today confirms that government spending remains at...

Stealth tax slugging Australians while we debate GST
Michael PotterDecember 14, 2015Business Spectator

How would you like an increase in the GST? There are plenty of views on...

COAG – short for coagulation
Michael PotterDecember 12, 2015Business Spectator

The definition of coagulation is to solidify or congeal. That might sum up what we...

Competition reform is our best bet to lift the economy
Patrick CarvalhoNovember 25, 2015The Australian

The federal government response to the Harper Review is a good start, but the legislative...

Youth Unemployment in Australia
Patrick CarvalhoNovember 22, 2015Research Report 7

This report looks at quantifying the rising youth unemployment problem, understanding its causes and proposing...

MEDIA RELEASE: Stub out tax hike for tobacco
Michael PotterNovember 10, 2015

The ALP seem oblivious to the inconsistency in their arguments about tax increases. They are...

Reforming Social Housing: financing and tenant autonomy
Michael PotterApril 27, 2017RR25

Around 400,000 Australians live in social housing, which includes public and community housing. This sector...

Youth Unemployment in Australia
Patrick CarvalhoNovember 22, 2015Research Report 7

This report looks at quantifying the rising youth unemployment problem, understanding its causes and proposing...

The Case for a New Australian Settlement: Ruminations of an Inveterate Economist
Wolfgang KasperJune 26, 2015OP141

Australia needs a cultural counter-revolution that appeals to the traditional Australian spirit of self-reliance and...

Withholding Dividends: Better ways to make the public sector efficient
Alexander PhilipatosMay 29, 2014T30.10

As the commission of audit has uncovered, the government must make significant cuts to spending...

Independent Charities, Independent Regulators: The Future of Not-for-Profit Regulation
Helen AndrewsFebruary 6, 2014IA143

The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission was established by the Gillard government in 2012 with...

Emergency Budget Repair Kit
Alexander Philipatos, Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Jeremy Sammut, Robert Carling, Simon Cowan, Trisha JhaNovember 21, 2013T30.05

The new Abbott government should address its self-identified budget emergency by cutting wasteful spending now....

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...
Black market lit up by backfiring ciggies tax
Michael StutchburyDecember 2, 2025DAILY TELEGRAPH

Jacking up the price of a product usually ensures that less of it is sold....

Confessions of an Industrial Relations Club reporter
Michael StutchburyNovember 21, 2025AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
A half-century on from stagflation, outdated workplace rules and union monopolies remain the biggest barrier...
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...
productivity office work staff
Productivity stakes couldn’t be higher at roundtable
Gene TunnyJuly 4, 2025THE AUSTRALIAN
Productivity must trump politics in Labor’s second term...
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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 the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service
Simon Cowan, Eugenie JosephAugust 1, 2018
Submission to Senate Inquiry on Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Bill 2016
Michael PotterOctober 3, 2016CIS Submission

The submission by CIS Research Fellow Michael Potter provides a detailed case for a reduction...

Submission to the Financial System Inquiry Final Report
Patrick CarvalhoMay 3, 2015

Submission to the Financial System Inquiry Final Report      

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Submission to the National Commission of Audit
Alexander Philipatos, Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Jeremy Sammut, Robert Carling, Simon Cowan, Stephen Kirchner, Trisha JhaApril 1, 2014T30.08

The federal government’s Commission of Audit (CoA) was established in 2013 to review the performance...

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