Research
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Polling: Coalition Senate Collapse Possible, Crossbench to Remain Crucial New analysis from The Australia Institute prepared by researcher Bill Browne shows the Coalition is in danger of missing out on a third Senator in each state, which has not happened since the Senate was expanded in 1987.The analysis is based on new Australia Institute national polling of 1536 people which shows Labor and the Greens are unlikely to gain majority of Senators at the Federal election.“This would represent an historic loss for the Coa...
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Coal in KingaroyA coal project proposed near Kingaroy, Queensland, is unlikely to provide benefit in a local economy based on services and agriculture. It imposes uncertainty and costs on other industries and the community. Policy makers should rule the project out on economic grounds. -
Polling: Minister recognition The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,536 Australians about which current and recent Ministers they had heard ofAt the next federal election, the retirement of Bishop and Pyne leaves only two Ministers known by most of Australians: Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton. Two of the three most recognised female MPs are retiring, leaving Michaelia Cash as the most recognised female Minister at just 33% of those polledKey...
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Australian Taxation Modest by Global Standards A new paper published by The Australia Institute explores the lessons Australia could learn from Nordic countries such as Norway in providing leadership for revenue raising options in Australia.The paper is the first piece of research released by the newly established Nordic Policy Centre at The Australia Institute in partnership with Deakin University.“The repeated claims by Government that Australian taxpayers are paying higher overal...
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HeatWatch - Extreme heat in South East SAIncreasing extreme heat will have profound impacts on people, industries and ecosystems in South East SA. CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology projections estimate that the average number of days over 35 could increase from historical averages of 21 at Murray Bridge and seven at Mount Gambier, to 56 and 22 days respectively by 2090 without strong climate action.
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Compulsory voting: Ensuring government of the people, by the people, for the peopleVoter turnout is at record lows in federal elections. A review of non-voting penalties should be undertaken and consideration given to Scandinavian-style progressive penalties.“Members of the Committee also regard compulsory voting as a corner-stone of Australia’s democratic system.” Joint Standing Committee into Electoral Matters (2018) Report on the conduct of the 2016 federal election and matters related thereto Compulsory voting is one of Aus...
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National Energy Emissions Audit: February The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit for the electricity sector covering the month of January 2019. The Audit shows that renewables now account for 20% of total generation in the National Energy Market (NEM) -- a share that that is certain to continue growing -- performing best of all energy sources during a record-breaking summer of heatwaves.Key Findings: + On the unprece...
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New Analysis: High Income Individuals Spend Big to Avoid Tax New analysis from the Australia Institute shows a small minority of individuals are spending big on tax accountants to take advantage of unfair tax loopholes, such that individuals with a gross income over $1 million can pay zero tax.Key Findings:Those with both a gross and taxable income over $1 million spent on average $7,476 on managing their tax affairsThose with a gross income over $1 million but had reduced their taxable income to...
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Legal Advice: Energy Generation Program Unconstitutional New legal advice, sought by The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program, suggests the Underwriting New Generation Investment Program is unconstitutional and lacks the legislative basis to proceed.Key points· Legal advice received from Fiona McLeod SC and Lindy Barrett on 15 February 2019 finds that Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor does not have constitutional authority over electricity nor the authority to fund projects und...
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The heat goes on: Breakdowns at gas and coal plants in NSW, 2018So far in 2018, there have been 27 major breakdowns at gas and coal power stations in NSW. Every coal power station experienced at least one breakdown. The Tallawarra gas power station experienced three breakdowns. Aging plants Liddell and Vales Point experienced the most breakdowns.