Australia is one of the richest countries in the world. Our governments act as if we are poor
Australia’s health system is in crisis and, while the tensions over funding between state and territory leaders and the Commonwealth is at an all-time high, people desperately waiting for medical help need real action, not performative posturing.
What can be done to fix the PALM scheme? | PALMed Off, Episode 4
What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours?
Is Australia failing its duty of care? | PALMed Off, Episode 3
PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant?
Workers are people, not commodities | PALMed Off, Episode 2
Where do the thousands of people who have left the PALM scheme, but stayed in Australia, go? How do they survive without a valid visa and, more importantly, what does the future hold for them?
Modern slavery in Australia? | PALMed Off, Episode 1
In this summer mini-series, we examine the Australian guestworker program that could be putting people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery.
December 2025
It’s a time for bravery
Big economic reform probably isn’t as hard as governments think.
Australia dumps its care crisis on the Pacific – new report
Skilled health workers from Pacific Island countries are being poached to plug Australia’s shortage of care workers, leaving the health systems in their home countries on the brink of collapse, according to new research.
The welfare system isn’t just on fire, it’s burning out of control
The problem with having pattern recognition is that you can always see the fires before they start.
Rate hold shows RBA uncertainty
Today’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to keep interest rates on hold shows the RBA doesn’t really know which way inflation is trending.
There’s a simple way to solve Australia’s “gas crisis” … and cut energy bills
With the federal government seeking a new way to fix Australia’s self-inflicted “gas crisis”, Australia Institute research shows a 25% tax on gas exports would solve the problem. The research shows a tax, proposed by the ACTU and supported by the Greens, would increase supply and cut energy bills for Australians. It would also raise around $17 billion
Liberals twist RBA remarks to sell a false narrative on public spending
Last week the Liberal Party shamefully misquoted the head of the Reserve Bank in a weak attempt to justify its criticism of government spending.
The great gas rip off: how the government can stop us all getting burned
The Albanese government could soon intervene to start fixing one of the biggest ongoing public policy fiascos in this country’s history: Australia’s rampant, uncontrolled gas export industry.
Is this growth…good?!
Rooftop solar and data centres are drivers of Australia’s economic growth, but do they really bring the same value to Australian society?
When ‘common sense’ cuts are code for a cruel con job
The greatest trick neoliberalism ever pulled was convincing people government intervention shouldn’t exist.
November 2025
This inequality isn’t inevitable
By offering generous tax concessions to property investors and making it nearly impossible to live on JobSeeker, Australian governments have being making inequality worse.
What have the scientists ever done for us?
Australian scientific discoveries have improved people’s lives and made the economy more productive – so why is the CSIRO being forced to shed workers again?
Australia’s health system is in intensive care, and the GST flatline is to blame
Australia’s health system needs intensive care, and so does the tax system that funds it.
Who needs world-changing, life-saving science when you’ve got rugby league?
If you’ve ever used Aerogard, the announcement this week that CSIRO would cut another 350 jobs should alarm you.
The gas industry’s “huge con”
By taxing Australian resources more effectively, we could not only have a greener economy – but a fairer one as well.
Labor giving billion-dollar cost of COP to Pacific would show genuine climate leadership
The Australia Institute is calling on the Albanese Government to redirect the billion dollars saved by not hosting COP31 to Pacific nations.
Go Home On Time Day 2025. As full timers disconnect, part timers are doing more unpaid overtime
New research by the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute has revealed a disturbing new twist when it comes to unpaid overtime in Australia.
“Anti-achievement” Democrats let pressure off Trump
By negotiating an end to the government shutdown without getting anything much in return, some Democrats have gone back to their old trick of resisting the President by giving him exactly what he needs.
Mike Rann: Gas lobby using “tobacco tactics” to keep polluting, tax breaks
Former South Australian Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann AC, has criticised the “almost tax‑free” gas exports driving billion‑dollar profits for the fossil fuel industry in Australia.
How bad policy created a housing crisis
The capital gains tax concession and negative gearing have worked together to make housing less affordable and exacerbate inequality.
Defending nature with Bob Brown
Protecting Australia’s incredible natural environment from bad policy, spurred on corporate interests and a hostile media, can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But sometimes, people power wins out.
ANZ profit completes obscene $43 billion quadrella
The ANZ bank has today posted an $8.8 billion profit, completing an obscene quadrella from Australia’s big 4 banks.
Coalition offers crash course on staying in opposition for forever
If the Coalition’s aim is to stay in opposition, it’s doing a bang-up job.
Inflation beats employment by the length of the straight (sigh)
On our 100th episode of Dollars & Sense, we discuss why the Reserve Bank always seems to prioritise inflation over employment in its interest rate discussions.
NAB posts a $9.7 billion profit. It’s time to properly tax these obscene results
The National Australia Bank today released its annual report showing a pre-tax profit of $9.7 billion.
A broken university system is letting Australia down
Poor governance, poor policy and decades of neoliberalism have broken Australia’s university sector, with devastating consequences for students and the country.
General Enquiries
Emily Bird Office Manager
mail@australiainstitute.org.au
Media Enquiries
Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor
glenn.connley@australiainstitute.org.au


















