Our Research
Use the tools below to access our extensive archive of publications and media content. You can search by category and type.
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Submission on corporations legislation amendment (deregulatory and other measures) The Australia Institute made a submission to the Senate Economics Committee inquiry into Corporations Legislation Amendment (Deregulatory and Other Measures) Bill 2014. Our key concern is that the repeal of the rule permitting 100 members to call an extraordinary general meeting . Repealing this rule would be an obstacle to civil society, which increasingly plays an important role using shareholder activism in pursuit of socially responsibly corp... Read More
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Submission: Corporate tax avoidance The Senate referred an inquiry into corporate tax avoidance to the Senate Economic References Committee. The Australia Institute submitted a submission to the inquiry focusing, in particular, on non-arms length licensing royalties between related parties. This submission does not address the whole field of tax avoidance.
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Submission: Inquiry into Unconventional Gas (Fracking) The Australia Institute made a submission to South Australia’s Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into unconventional gas. Our submission focuses on the potential net economic outcomes to the region and the rest of the state. The net economic effects of gas development in South Australia are likely to be small: There would be minimal impact on gas prices as South Australia is connected to the East Coast gas market and through it to world markets... Read More
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Submission: Select committee into certain aspects of Queensland Government administration related to Commonwealth Government affairs The Australia Institute made a submission to the Select Committee inquiry into Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration related to Commonwealth Government Affairs. Our submission focused on the use of economics in major project assessment processes. Approval processes for major projects in Queensland have seen the misuse of various tools of economic assessment. In particular cost benefit analysis has not been used in assessments, w... Read More
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Submission: Abbott Point Port and Wetland Project and Abbott Point Dredging and Onshore Placement of Dredged Material Project In December 2014, the Queensland Government sought submissions on the Preliminary Documentation around two related proposals to expand the coal port at Abbot Point. The Australia Institute made a submission on the Preliminary Documentation. Our submission showed that the Preliminary Documentation is inadequate as it contains no cost benefit analysis and no economic assessment of any kind. This is surprising given the Queensland Government guideli... Read More
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Submission: Draft industry action plan The draft NSW Minerals Industry Action Plan presents recommendations that maximise the interests of the minerals industry. While this is not surprising, the aims of the NSW government should be to maximise the welfare of the community rather than any particular industry. In some areas, the interests of the industry and the government are aligned, for example in minimising administrative costs. However, in many areas the interests of industry and... Read More
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How the government loses 48% of company tax The Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the extent of income inequality in Australia asked The Australia Institute for some background briefing on how the role of dividend imputation in Australia was relevant to the committee’s deliberations. This brief provides some supplementary information on dividend imputation and franking credits.
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Airly Mine Extension Proposal The Airly mine is an underground thermal coal mine in the Capertee Valley, NSW. A proposal to expand the mine is currently being assessed by the NSW Department of Planning and the Environment. The Australia Institute made a submission on the expansion proposal relating to its economic assessment. The Economic Assessment of the Airly Mine Extension Proposal does not comply with Australian Federal or NSW State Government guidelines for economic ass... Read More
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Coalpac: Invincible and Cullen Valley modifications In September 2014 the Australia Institute made a written submission and in-person presentation to the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission on the proposal to extend the Invincible and Cullen Valley mines, owned by Coalpac. The mines are in a sensitive environmental area near the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.The key points of our submission and presentation:The proponents assume electricity generators will pass savings to consumers by expa... Read More
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Terminal 4: Submission to Planning and Assessment Commission The Australia Institute (TAI) gave evidence to the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission on the Terminal 4 project. The proposal is to expand the capacity of the coal terminal at the Newcastle Port managed by Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS). TAI was asked to provide an expert report on the economic assessment of the project by the Environmental Defenders Office NSW (EDO NSW) acting on behalf of the Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC). K... Read More