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• Tax

The aim of the research at the CIS is to work towards an efficient and predictable tax system that does not impose too great a burden on the economy.

Hammer nails
Facts are smashing the government, not the RBA
Simon Cowan, Robert CarlingSeptember 7, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

The government’s low-key campaign to influence RBA decisions on interest rates flared into open conflict...

scales
Government spending and inflation
Robert CarlingSeptember 4, 2024PP58
That government expenditure in Australia has grown apace in recent years is well-known. The growth...
There are two ways to lift our living standards. Coasting isn’t one of them
Simon CowanAugust 26, 2024CANBERRA TIMES
News this week that the iron ore price has fallen to the lowest level in...
inflation
Tax cuts + inflation = 80% of Aussies worse off by end of decade
Simon Cowan, Matthew TaylorJune 29, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

The contrast between this week’s high inflation figures with the long-awaited commencement of the Stage...

NSW Parliament coat of arms budget
Nothing pretty about a post-pandemic budget
Robert CarlingJune 21, 2024SPECTATOR FLAT WHITE

The New South Wales Budget tabled this week completes the series of 2024-25 budgets from...

The problem is whether the legitimate economic concerns of the public can - or should - manifest in monetary policy.
The RBA has to dole out pain. Not everyone can be a winner here
Simon CowanJune 1, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

This week’s news that inflation had risen for April was no doubt an unwelcome, and...

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...

Taxing Tobacco into Illegality: how split responsibilities and high excise created Australia’s tobacco wars
Sinclair DavidsonNovember 27, 2025AP95

Executive Summary Australia’s tobacco control policy has reached a breaking point. For decades, bans on...

The Unworkable Solution: An Economic Assessment of a Cashflow Tax for Australia
Sinclair DavidsonNovember 6, 2025AP93

Executive Summary Australia faces persistent economic challenges. Productivity growth has slowed, business investment is uneven,...

An economic walk on the supply side
Michael StutchburyOctober 16, 2025OP208

This is an edited version of Michael Stutchbury’s keynote address to the 2025 Freedom to...

Addressing Australia’s Productivity Problem. CORE Blueprint to Unshackle Productivity
Jim CoxAugust 14, 2025AP86

Introduction There is no one action that will lift Australia’s dwindling productivity growth; it is...

State Taxes: In Serious Need of Reform
Michael PotterJune 11, 2005Policy

State tax systems are inefficient, inequitable and overly complex. Read full article

...
Lower tax rates for a truly beautiful set of numbers
Alex RobsonMay 18, 2005The Australian

The changes announced by Treasurer Peter Costello to the personal income tax system last week...

Time we ran our own lives
Peter SaundersMay 9, 2005The Herald Sun

The Friday before last was Tax Freedom Day — the day of the year when...

Higher taxes a threat to competitiveness
Peter BurnNovember 25, 2004The Australian Financial Review

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, total tax collections in Australia are about 31.5...

High time to look at equitable version of flat tax
Lauchlan ChipmanNovember 4, 2004The Australian Financial Review

In an interview before the election on October 9, Prime Minister John Howard agreed Australia’s...

Cut Taxes And Watch Economy Soar
Sinclair DavidsonJune 10, 2004The Australian Financial Review

The Treasury Secretary, Ken Henry , in a recent speech to Australian Business Economists ,...

No Videos Available
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 inquiry into the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures Bill
Robert CarlingMay 14, 2024CIS
Submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in relation to its inquiry into the Better...
Submission to Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into Corporate Tax Avoidance
Michael PotterApril 19, 2017CIS Submission

Corporate tax avoidance is an issue of some concern to the Australian community. However, many...

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 Senate Inquiry into Enterprise Tax Plan Bill 2016
Michael PotterSeptember 30, 2016CIS Submission

The growing company tax burden contrasts with the state of the economy, which is showing...

Principles and recommendations for tax reform – CIS submission National Reform Summit
Simon Cowan, Robert Carling, Henry ErgasAugust 27, 2015CIS Submission

The slant towards cutting taxes before 2010 was welcome, but for such an approach to...

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