Secret research undermines democracy
This month, the Australian economic debate was hijacked by a report from the world’s most powerful consulting firm: McKinsey & Co. The consulting firm apparently found that declining living standards represent a “national emergency” – and the care economy, regulations and Australia’s corporate tax rate are to blame for low productivity growth. The only problem?
An Australian whistleblower rewards scheme could reduce white-collar crime while raising billions in revenue
It is not often we can look to America for good public policy – but they have one good idea about helping encourage corporate whistleblowers while also raising revenue.
November 2024
The time taken to pay off HECS is worsening the inequality between the states
The increased cost of university degrees has amplified the difference in time it takes to pay off a degree in each state – and can make it more attractive to work elsewhere.
October 2024
Australia can make speeding fines fair with proportional model: Report
Making traffic fines proportional to drivers’ incomes, as is done in Finland, is a fairer system according to a new report from The Australia Institute, supported by Uniting Vic Tas and Financial Counselling Victoria.
April 2024
People are starting with much larger HECS/HELP debts than in the past – and it is only going to get worse
Australians in their 20s have HECS/HELP debts more than $10,000 greater in real terms than did people 20 years ago
What is the PRRT?
Gas extraction is often lauded by the industry as the ‘backbone of the Australian economy’, but the actual revenue collected from one of the main taxes on the industry falls staggeringly short of what most people would expect. Find out why this is the case – and what we can do to fix it.
February 2024
New data shows many businesses are now using non-compete clauses – and that’s bad for workers.
Non-compete clauses limit the ability of workers to seek better pay and conditions and not surprisingly employers love them.
The capital gains discount and negative gearing benefit the rich and destroy housing affordability
We need to stop giving billions to high income earners that just exacerbates the housing crisis
Yes, the government collects more money from HECS than it does from the petroleum resource rent tax.
We need to tax things we want less of and subsidise things we want more of. Right now with PRRT and HECS, we’re doing it the wrong way round.
January 2024
SUVs and utes are no longer just work vehicles, but tax-subsidised behemoths
It is clear the massive increase in SUVs and utes is not due to more tradies or those using them on weekends, but because out tax system encourages the purchase of these behemoths to the detriment of our roads, our safety and the climate.
December 2023
The Wellbeing Framework needs a better measure of living standards
The Wellbeing Framework suggests Australia’s prosperity is linked with company profits, but it wrongly suggests this also measures people’s living standards.
..The Wellbeing Framework’s measure of innovation misses the mark
The Wellbeing Framework aims to measure what matters, but its measure of innovation has little to do with research or development
‘No one left behind’: Why doesn’t the Wellbeing Framework measure poverty?
According to Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the new Wellbeing Framework “helps us put … fairness and opportunity at the very core of our thinking”, but (astoundingly) lacks any substantive measure of poverty.
..August 2023
When it comes to jobs, sport kicks fossil fuels out of the park
We often hear how important fossil-fuel mining is for jobs, but the reality is sport is a much greater employer.
The Intergenerational Report shows a massive shift towards supporting wealthier individuals’ retirements
Jim Chalmers suggests the superannuation system is the intergenerational “genius” but it really means providing more support for wealthier people who do not need it.
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