Media
December 2022
The latest figures from the Fair Work Commission suggest no sign of a wages-prices spiral
The average annual wage growth in enterprise agreements not only remains well below inflation, it shows little sigh of increasing.
A Record Interest Shock Hitting Australian Households
The past 6 months has seen a record rise in the amount of interest households are having to pay
Abolition of AAT a Welcome Step Towards Integrity
The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program welcomes Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ announcement of the abolition and replacement of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which fulfills a recommendation made in the Institute’s research earlier this year. The Australia Institute research revealed political appointments to the AAT skyrocketed from 6 in 100 under John Howard, to 2
Minority Report
This week*, Duncan and Mark review 2002’s Minority Report, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise along with Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow (a regular on this podcast) and Neal McDonough. This is a film loosely based on Isaac Asimov’s short story The Minority Report. Seriously, by loosely we mean that the
Inequality and poverty is a policy choice – and the Stage 3 tax cuts will make both worse
When you reduce the revenue available to fund government services, you inevitably increase inequality
Coal Export Revenue up 186% to $112 Billion as Parliament Considers Price Caps
New research reveals Australian coal export revenue reached $112 billion in 2021-22, an increase on the previous year of $73b or 186%, as Federal Parliament reconvenes to legislate price caps on coal and gas companies making windfall profits, according to a new report From Russia With Love by leading public policy think-tank the Australia Institute.
ABS data shows being in a union delivers better wages
Whether you are old or young, low or high income, working in construction or admin, a labourer or a manager, being in a union delivers you better pay.
Nearly 900,000 people are working more than one job
As wages fail to keep up with inflation a record number of poeple are having to work more than one job to get by
Shining a Light on Cronyism
A report from the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program represents the largest and most comprehensive domestic study of the practice of cronyism in relation to appointments to a government agency ever conducted in Australia. This was recorded on Wednesday 12th October 2022 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute
100+ Economists, Tax Experts Call for Stage 3 Overhaul in Full-Page Adverts
More than 100 economists and tax experts have published an open letter calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reconsider the Stage 3 tax cuts for high income earners, labelling the tax cuts as economically unaffordable and unfair. The open letter appears as a full-page advert in the SMH & The Age today. High profile
New data shows how important funding public services is for reducing inequality
Public services massively reduce inequality, but the Stage 3 tax cuts will make it much more difficult to fund them
Power Politics: All the best Policies we’re not Allowed to Talk About
Just as a fish can’t taste the water it swims in, it is hard for Australians to notice how bizarre our climate and energy policy debates have become. We have seemingly abandoned economics, climate science and even opinion polling when it comes to identifying options for reform. The only way forward is what the fossil
Climate Change Authority Conflicted, Out of Step With Public Opinion
The potential conflicts of interest in the Climate Change Authority (CCA) are evident in today’s release of research promoting the potential of carbon storage in Australia, according to The Australia Institute. The scientific consensus is that fossil fuels must remain in the ground for the world to remain within the safe bounds of global warming.
Jailing climate protestor Violet Coco shows anti-protest laws have gone too far
The anti-protest laws that have swept the country are a threat to us all, even if you’ve never attended a protest in your life. Governments are writing and passing laws which authorise companies to legally cause harm to our community and environment, while jailing individuals seeking to stop such harm through non-violent protest. The draconian
Why a biodiversity market doesn’t work
The spot price for squirrel glider credits in New South Wales last month was $425. That was down a touch from $450 in August, when koala credits were going for $600 – they’d more than tripled since June. These are real market values, reflecting performance and trading activity in a way that’s visually similar to
The economy is slowing as the Reserve Bank hits the brake
The build up of savings during the pandemic is over – now we need strong income growth to keep the economy going as the Reserve Bank tries to slow it.
Australia’s perceptions of strategic risks and policy responses
This presentation to the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network’s European Leadership Network explores Australian perceptions of strategic risk, the country’s heightened sense of threat and the differences between the two. In short, threats come and go, while risk is a constant in a world that is inherently chaotic. Long-term strategic policy needs to be based on analysis of risk and its mitigation, not on perceived threats.
Should flying between Canberra and Sydney be abolished?
If a flight is so short you don’t have time to finish your complementary cheese and biscuits before having your rubbish whisked away for landing, chances are there’s a more environmentally friendly and convenient way of getting to where you’re going. The French Government’s recent decision to ban short haul domestic flights between cities that
Rising transport emissions show the need to end subsidies for high-emitting SUVs and utes
The latest emissions projections reveal that emissions from SUVs will cancel out the reductions that occur due to electric vehicles
In the NACC of Time | Between the Lines
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Passage of Territory Rights Bill Welcome
The Australia Institute today welcomes the passage of the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022, which will restore to the Territories the right to legislate for voluntary assisted dying laws. “The restoration of Territory Rights is a testament to the strength of representative democracy. The Australian Parliament should be commended for recognising that the citizens of
The latest data shows the urgent need for more public housing
As approvals for public sector housing hit 2 year lows, the ambition for more public housing needs to be even greater than the government’s 20,000 in 5 years target.
The Reserve Bank needs to watch that it doesn’t push the economy off a cliff
For most of this year, the warnings and news about inflation have been one of hope for the best but experience the worst. Predictions of future inflation growth have continually been revised upwards and with it has been the suggestion that interest rates need to keep rising.
9 in 10 Believe It’s Governments Job to Ensure Wages Keep Up with Cost of Living: Research Polling
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,001 Australians about their views on wages and cost of living between 1-4 November. The majority of Australians report that their wages have not kept up with the cost of living over the past 12 months. “This research shows most Australians feel like they are falling
November 2022
Retired Judges Welcome Landmark NACC, but Lament Lack of Public Hearings
Today’s passing of legislation to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been welcomed by the Australia Institute’s National Integrity Committee. The National Integrity Committee congratulates the Parliament and, in particular, the Attorney-General on what is a significant achievement. The establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission will change the way politics is conducted in Australia,
Morrison Secret Ministries a Reminder Our Democracy Requires Vigilance
The censure motion against former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his secret ministries is an opportunity to reflect on the vigilance required to uphold democracy and good government, according to leading public policy think-tank the Australia Institute. The Hon Virginia Bell AC’s Ministries inquiry report found that the lack of disclosure of the appointments “was
Deal on IR Reforms Sets Stage for Faster Wage Growth
Industrial Relations Reform Sets Stage for Significant Acceleration of Wage Growth.
Wall-E
What happens when your pet dog has a disagreement with your laptop? You can’t publish this week’s episode last week like you were supposed to! Despite the delay (we’re very sorry, comrades), it’s Wall-E time! And what perfect timing given recent events – Wall-E depicts an idiotic future that only someone like Elon Musk could
A sea of evidence to absorb
Momentum is building to fundamentally improve the way we care for and use our coastal waters, ahead of the Australia Institute’s Tasmanian Ocean Summit today.
Ending Fossil Fuel Finance, Improving Corporate Transparency Would Support Democracy in Pacific: Research Submission
Stronger climate action and better resource sector governance are two ways in which Australia can partner with countries in our region to promote stability according to a research submission by the Australia Institute to the Inquiry into supporting democracy in our region. Key Points: Climate action has languished for the last decade and fossil fuel
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