Childcare Review & Strike Require Systemic Solutions: Research Report
As early childhood educators prepare to strike and with Government poised to release terms of reference for a Productivity review into the struggling system, new research has recommended Australia look at successful overseas policy options to deliver affordable, quality Early Childhood Education & Care. New research has recommended the terms of reference for the federal
May 2022
How do Nordic countries make housing affordable?
Australia’s housing affordability crisis results from over- reliance on just two options – private home ownership and private renting. To tackle it, a wider repertoire of policies is required. Nordic nations’ widespread provision of public housing and housing co-operatives, priority for homes to live in rather than invest in, and effective reduction of homelessness, show
April 2022
Housing Affordability Crisis Requires Nordic Policy Solutions: Experts
The key driver of Australia’s acute housing affordability crisis is its over-reliance on just two housing options – private home ownership and private renting. New research from the Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre shows that Nordic countries have a wider repertoire of policies, and Australia can learn from policies that are already in practice in
March 2022
Removing Designated Fathers Leave Threatens to Worsen Gender Inequality
“Australia has missed a great opportunity to improve its parental leave policies, invest in children’s early years, support parents and improve gender equality,” said Professor Andrew Scott at Deakin University and Convenor of The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre. “The Budget decision to abolish the designation of two weeks parental leave for fathers from Australia’s
June 2021
Australia should look to the Nordics for policy tips
Not only are the Nordics among the world’s most prosperous nations, they have also dealt with many of the issues that Australia finds so difficult. As Australia starts to peek at a future beyond COVID-19, where should we look for inspiration on how to take our country, community and politics in a better direction? Scott Morrison’s
The Nordic Edge – Policy Possibilities for Australia
Climate and energy. Work/life balance. Mining taxes. Progress on policy issues like these is essential, and yet they have become subject to the most rancorous partisanship, the precipitation of culture wars, and have brought down governments. In The Nordic Edge, published by Melbourne University Press, a selection of Australia Institute researchers and guest authors show how
May 2021
Polling: Majority of Australians Support Reintroduction of Free Childcare
Childcare Funding 20x More Effective at Creating Jobs than Tax Cuts
Federal budget 2021: What will Treasurer Josh Frydenberg deliver?
Last year, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered what was described as a “Bloke’s Budget”, that targeted stimulus spending in male-heavy industries, while neglecting investment in industries that support women’s employment-including healthcare, education and social services – even though women bore the brunt of last year’s recession. But the fact is every budget is biased towards men
February 2021
EV Policy Paralysis Driving Australia Backwards
The Government has today released its Future Fuels Discussion Paper, which contains no additional funding and little in the way of commitments to accelerate electric vehicle uptake. Background The Government promised an Electric Vehicle Strategy in 2018, and instead delivered a discussion paper that does not exclusively focus on electric vehicles The only changes to
November 2020
Instead of taxing electric vehicles, heavy vehicles should pay more for the damage they cause
by Richard Denniss[Originally published on the Guardian Australia, 25 November 2020] The purpose of the tax system isn’t just to collect revenue, it’s to shape society in ways we see fit. It’s no accident that fresh food is excluded from the GST and it’s no accident that the tax on alcohol is higher than the
Norway leading pack to electrify all car sales in five year
The Norwegian Government’s recent commitment to phase out all new fossil fuel vehicle sales by 2025 is the most ambitious in the world. Research by the Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre shows Norway’s 2025 goal is bolstered by a package of incentives that reduce the upfront and operating costs of electric vehicles. In comparison, Australia
October 2020
Taxing Our Way to Prosperity: Nordic Countries, Reality Expose Anti-Tax Ideology
New research from The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre shows there is no evidence for claims that higher levels of taxation have a negative impact on economic growth. As Australia’s economy begins to emerge from the COVID-19 recession, a comparative study of 188 countries has shown that higher levels of taxation, such as those found
June 2020
Nordic Countries Show Free Childcare Key to Economic Recovery
The Government’s decision to end free childcare come July is at odds with its own economic goals, as new research by The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre reveals policies that make it easier for women to choose to go back to work will see the country recover faster from the COVID-19 economic crisis while also reaping
November 2019
Geelong’s Industrial Transition: Cars to Wind Turbines
New research presented in Geelong today looks at how Denmark leads the way in industrial transition and opportunities for Australia. Danish wind energy company Vestas is operating at the old Ford car factory site in Geelong, Victoria. This represents not just a change of industry but an opportunity to improve the way Australian regions manage
August 2019
Iceland Shows the Way to Parental Equality with Fathers Leave
New research presented in Sydney today looks at how Nordic countries have a long history of placing emphasis on policies providing both mothers and fathers with the opportunity to work and care. Visiting Icelandic academic Ásdís Aðalbjörg Arnalds is in Sydney today to present her new research on Icelandic paid parental leave – and in
June 2019
Australia can Follow Finland to Reverse TAFE and Training Crisis
Australia should consider whether it wants a higher education and vocational training system more like that of Finland or more like the USA, according to a new report from The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre. The report, co-authored by Professor Andrew Scott, Emeritus Professor Tor Hundloe and Mr Shirley Jackson, shows Australian vocational training is
April 2019
Poll: One in Two Voters Support New Car Sales 100% EV by 2025
One in two Australian voters (50%) support shifting all sales of new vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025 according to new research from The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program. This research also looks at popular policy mechanisms adopted in Nordic countries which have successfully accelerated electric vehicle uptake. Australia can follow the lead
March 2019
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
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