SA Duck Hunting Ban, Backed by Majority of Voters, Would Have Minimal Economic Impact
New research from public policy think tank The Australia Institute shows that a permanent ban on native bird hunting in South Australia is supported by a strong majority of the public and would have minimal impact on the state’s economy. The findings are the result of a survey of 604 South Australians, undertaken between 15
Fair Work: 5.75% Award Wage Boost will not cause “Wage-Price Spiral”
Today’s 5.75% award wage increase is a necessary boost for the lowest paid workers but does not keep pace with inflation. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has today explicitly said this increase “will consequently not cause or contribute to any ‘wage price spiral’”. Key Points: Award wage increase of 5.75% is less than inflation, which
Native Forest Logging in Tasmania
Tasmania’s native forests are globally recognised for their unique species and their conservation value. They are also some of the most carbon dense forests on the planet.
With the Budget predicting a bad year ahead the RBA should not raise rates next week
Whenever Australia’s GDP per capita has gone backwards through a year Australia has been in recession or nearly so. And right now the Budget expects that to happen in 2023-24.
The level of public housing needs to return to previous levels
Australia needs more housing, and we definitely need more public housing
Big names unite to protect Tasmania’s forests
Federal MPs, an Olympic champion and acclaimed authors are among dozens of high-profile names urging the Tasmanian government to end to native forest logging. Independent federal MPs Zali Steggall, Zoe Daniel and Dr Sophie Scamps, Olympic legend Ian Thorpe, renowned authors Richard Flanagan and Tim Winton, and 2017 Australian of the Year Tim Flannery have
May 2023
HECS/HELP debt for low income earners is set to increase due to indexation
The indexation of HECS/HELP debt this year will leave people earning less than $62,000 with a bigger debt even after their repayments.
Profit-Price Spiral an Inconvenient Truth for Big Business: Economists
Despite a mainstream shift in the national conversation away from baseless claims of a “wage-price spiral”, some big business proponents and conservative economists appear unwilling to accept the economic evidence of a profit-price spiral.
Workplace Law Reform Must Limit Cancer of ‘Gig Work’ in Care Economy: Research
New research reveals the growth of ‘gig’ employment in the NDIS and care sector is undermining minimum employment conditions for tens of thousands of workers, with thousands of workers likely earning below-award wages, missing out on superannuation and experiencing inferior WHS protections and gender pay equality outcomes.
Real wages falls and interest rates rises signal tough times for households and the economy
You can’t sustain household spending while real wages continue to fall, and households are starting to let everyone know
Tasmania must end native forest logging after crucial Victorian decision
The Australia Institute is calling on the Tasmanian Government to follow Victoria and end native forest logging from 2024.
As profits rise, workers continue to be the ones reducing inflation
While record company profits are dismissed as “short-term” workers continue to suffer ongoing falls in real wages
Wages are growing solidly but real wages continue to plummet
Wages are growing the best they have for 11 years, but real wages are now back at the level they were 14 years ago
The RBA raised rates in March and May despite its own analysis saying they were not needed
The Reserve Bank’s own research showed that raising rates after February would only increase unemployment, not lower inflation
Bread and Surpluses: What you need to know about the Budget
The Albanese Government has handed down its 2023-24 Federal Budget, and it contains positive measures like a 15% pay rise for aged care workers, the minimal increases to welfare, and deferral of any change to the Stage 3 tax cuts, confirm that change is going to be incremental and slow. This was recorded on Wednesday
Budget: Real Revenue Reform Delayed Until 2024 Amid Structural Deficit for Services
Federal Budget 2023-24 has delayed solving Australia’s structural revenue problem, deferring any change to the Stage 3 tax cuts ($254b over 10 years) or fossil fuel tax credits ($9.4b in 2023-4) until at least May 2024, before the next federal election. The decision to delay revenue reforms leaves the Budget ill-equipped to meet the needs
Surging mining sector profits are distorting Australia’s economy.
Profits in the mining sector are surging, but output is not – and the increased prices come at a cost to the rest of the economy
How the public is kept in the dark about what consultants tell the government
Less than 20% of consultants’ reports to government are published
Affordability of a Liveable Jobseeker Payment is a Non-Issue
Commonwealth on Track for Diminutive Deficit or Surplus in 2022-2023 In the lead-up to its 2023-24 budget, the Labor Government finds itself in an awkward position, accepting that the Jobseeker payment is “seriously inadequate” and an impediment to regaining work, yet professing that it lacks the financial capacity to afford a meaningful increase anytime soon.
Funding our own Destruction
Despite fossil fuel usage contributing to the destruction of our climate, the Australian government still hands out billions every year in fossil fuel subsidies. But where is the money going, and how much is being spent exactly? This was recorded on Tuesday 2nd May 2023 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute
$57.1b: Record Breaking Fossil Fuel Subsidies Following Climate Election
New research shows fossil fuel subsidies over the forward estimates have increased to a record breaking $57.1b, up from the $55.3b forecast in 2022. As the federal budget approaches, future fossil fuel subsidies will cost 14 times the amount invested in the Australian Disaster Ready Fund, and more than the amount spent on the Australian
The latest enterprise agreements show public sector workers are being hurt by wage caps
Stronger wage growth in the private sector is good news, but public sector workers continue to be left behind
It’s not just mining – non-mining profits have also driven inflation
As the Reserve Bank continues to raise rates, it continues to misread the nature of inflation that is being driven largely by profits.
Vast Majority Want Greater Affordable Housing Direct Investment in Budget
New research from the Australia Institute shows that eight in 10 Australians (80%) agree that the Federal Government should spend more money to directly build affordable housing in the Budget. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,002 Australians about their attitudes toward the Federal Government’s response to the housing crisis. Key Findings:
April 2023
The Housing Crisis
Australia’s housing crisis is only getting worse, and our social housing shortfall has ballooned to 500,000 and rent is skyrocketing. So how did we get here, and what can be done? This episode is a live recording from the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub series. This was recorded on Wednesday 19th April 2023 and
7% Minimum Wage Rise Would Tackle Inflation, not Feed it: Research
A 7% National Minimum Wage rise for low paid workers would help tackle the rising cost of living for those on award wages while having a virtually undetectable impact on economy-wide prices, new research from leading economists at the Centre for Future Work has found. The data comes as the Fair Work Commission deliberates about
After the NSW election, privatisation is politically dead in Australia
Last month’s New South Wales election ejected the final mainland Coalition state government from office.
Getting Off Gas: Majority Support Household Electrification as Economic, Climate Costs Rise
New national research shows a majority of voters feel positive about switching Australian homes away from gas and moving to full electrification, as cost of living and climate concerns continue to rise. The report, based on a nationally representative survey of Australian households undertaken by The Australia Institute and SEC Newgate, reveals very little opposition
The Stage 3 tax cuts are so geared towards the rich that most workers will pay more tax in 2025 than they did in 2022
Losing the low-middle income tax offset and getting the Stage 3 tax cuts will leave most workers worse off
The Great Gas Rip-off
The PRRT, or Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, is a tax on profits of petroleum products, including crude oil and petroleum gas. But through accounting tricks and loopholes, gas corporations are avoiding paying their fair share of tax. Research mentioned: https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/reforming-the-petroleum-resource-rent-tax/ This was recorded on Monday 19th April 2023 and things may have changed since recording.
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