Research

Public sector austerity has become a “policy fad” in Australia, at all levels of government. Its hallmarks are unnecessary public sector wage caps, outsourcing, downsizing, privatisation and the imposition of so-called “efficiency dividends” which allegedly drive productivity growth but in reality cut spending and reduce the quality of public services. These policies of austerity are not justified by economic theory, especially not in conditions...

Lock the Gate asked The Australia Institute for assistance in estimating the potential employment impacts of increased mine rehabilitation in Queensland. This relates to the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Bill currently before the Queensland Parliament.Lock the Gate hope this bill, if passed and implemented, will reduce the mine rehabilitation ‘deficit’ in Queensland: the area that has been disturbed by mining activities bu...

For at least five years now, Australia’s labour market has demonstrated signs of a structural shift that has undermined traditional patterns of wage determination, and eroded the quality and security of work. The economic and social consequences of this sea change in the world of work are severe and far-reaching: flat real wages (the worst labour income growth since the Great Depression), a severing of the traditional relationship between wage an...

Promotion of large-scale irrigation in the West Kimberley ignores the lessons of the East Kimberley. Census data shows that despite huge public subsidy in Ord irrigation, the major employers in both regions are health, education and services. Tourism, carbon farming, renewable energy and high-value niche agriculture are also avenues of potential development.Discussion paper

Liddell is the oldest power station in Australia. It is particularly vulnerable to breaking down in hot weather when demand is high, and electricity is most needed. It has suffered four major breakdowns so far this year. Two of these were within two hours of peak demand on very hot summer days. The continued reliance on Liddell will lead to less reliable and more expensive energy in NSW and will undermine investment in new capacity.

Of the tax cuts in the 2018 Federal Budget, Australian women get half the tax cut of men. New research today by The Australia Institute shows about two thirds of the benefit of the income tax cuts proposed will flow to men, while previous spending cuts have mainly disadvantaged women.

A new report from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that a Federal Government proposal to protect households from high power prices is being undermined by the official electricity rule-setting body. Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has proposed to change market rules to prevent energy retailers offering ‘discount’ deals that are actually more expensive than basic deals. The report finds that Minister Frydenberg’s proposa...

New polling released by The Australia Institute today shows that most voters support a long term boost to ABC funding and oppose funding cuts to the ABC and SBS.  The Australia Institute surveyed 1557 Australians with a series of questions about their attitudes towards the ABS. Key results: 70% agreed a “strong, independent ABC is critical to a healthy democracy”. 60% agreed the ABC needs a “boost to long term funding”, including...

A large post-Budget poll of the division of Longman shows the proposed flat personal tax rates are rated as unfair and company tax cuts remain deeply unpopular among voters due to head to a by-election in the seat of Longman. The Australia Institute commissioned ReachTEL to conduct a survey of 1,277 residents across the federal electorate of Longman on the evening of 10th May 2018. Results: 2-Party Preferred: Liberal 53%, ALP 47%.30% of responden...

 The Coalition government’s 2018 budget features a plan to cut personal income taxes for many Australians over the next several years. The government claims it wants to reward lower- and middle-income wage-earners with tax savings. However, the biggest personal tax reductions would not be experienced until 2022 and beyond (after at least two more federal elections). And the biggest savings go to those with incomes over $200,000 per year (the...