News & Analysis // New South Wales
November 2024
Unplugged: NSW government EV Strategy failing, as sales fall
The NSW government’s latest push to get motorists to buy electric vehicles is failing, according to new research from The Australia Institute.
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
Federal funding for private schools
In 2024, the Commonwealth Government will spend an estimated $29.1 billion on schools in Australia. More than half of this – $17.8 billion – will go to private schools.
Video Report: The Carbon Credit Grift Destroying Koala Habitat
Despite a decade-long commitment to establish the Great Koala National Park, the NSW Labor Government is delaying its creation so that the forests can be exploited for carbon credits. It’s a decision with disastrous consequences for the koalas, and the climate.
Incumbent NSW MPs enjoy $2 million in incumbency advantages, on top of head-start from the state’s political finance laws
Research from the Australia Institute demonstrates that the NSW electoral system’s donation caps, spending caps and public funding benefit established parties and incumbent MPs at the expense of new parties and independent candidates.
NSW government dragging its feet on koala park for “sham” carbon credits
By waiting for a carbon credit scheme to be established before delivering its Great Koala National Park, the New South Wales Government is putting the species at risk, says Stephen Long.
Not seeing the koalas for the carbon credits
Rather than delivering on their election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, the New South Wales Government is sitting on its hands until it can earn carbon credits from forests.
September 2023
Consulting firms a corrosive and conflicted influence on NSW Government
New research from The Australia Institute reveals the corrosive and conflicted influence of consulting firms on NSW Government processes.
NSW Government Coal Royalties Decision to Raise $2.7 Billion
The Australia Institute congratulates the NSW Government on increasing coal royalties, potentially raising an extra $2.7 billion over four years. “This is a good move by the NSW Government that will benefit the NSW economy and community,” said Rod Campbell, research director at the Australia Institute. “Collecting more royalties from the fossil fuel industry allows
May 2023
Consultancy firms boast of action on climate change while advocating for more coal mines
Consultancy companies like to boast they are committed to action on climate change, but they much prefer overstating the benefits of coal mines
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
March 2023
Ignore the fears from the gas industry, Australia has more than enough gas
Once again the gas industry is crying wolf and telling us we need more gas to prevent shortages. But if you read beyond the scare quotes today’s report from Australia’s Energy Market Operator report shows we already have more than enough gas.
February 2022
Basic carbon price makes Narrabri coal mine uneconomic: research
New research reveals the economic benefits of the proposed Narrabri Whitehaven Coal Mine would be reduced to zero in the event a basic carbon price was included in its assessment. In a submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the Australia Institute details how Whitehaven corporation have overstated the economic benefits of the proposed mine,
Largest coal plant to close early, but where is the national roadmap to manage the rest?
Australia’s largest power station is shutting down in 2025, seven years early. Origin Energy, having bought the power station from the New South Wales government less than 10 years ago, now wants to retire its last remaining coal asset. Upon announcement, the Origin Energy CEO stated “the reality is the economics of coal-fired power stations
HeatWatch: Penrith Could Face Nearly Two Months of Extreme Heat Per Year
Extreme heat days over 35 degrees are projected to increase five-fold in Western Sydney, where areas such as Penrith could experience up to 58 days (almost two months) of extreme heat per year. This landmark HeatWatch report is by the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program is in partnership with Sweltering Cities. HeatWatch uses CSRIO-BoM
June 2021
The giant gap in our federal integrity systems
Australia still has no federal anti-corruption commission, more than 2 years after the Coalition government promised to enact one. Worse, there are several serious flaws with the government’s proposed model for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission. Join two former judges, the Hon Anthony Whealy QC and the Hon David Harper AM QC as they explain why
The fight for a healthier Murray-Darling must continue
I’m a fifth-generation farmer. My family have run properties alongside the Darling/Baaka River for almost a century. We have watched as the once mighty river system that runs through the heart of our nation has suffered due to government mismanagement and over-extraction upstream. I’ve always said the red dirt of home runs through my veins,
May 2021
Statement from The Australia Institute
Statement from The Australia Institute regarding Minister Pitt’s claims that the 1200 Bridges Too Far report by Kate McBride, Australia Institute fellow and fifth generation farmer, into the Murray Darling Basin Plan is ‘full of claims based on false assertions.’ “The Australia Institute stands by its 1200 Bridges Too Far report by Kate McBride, Australia
Murray Darling Basin: Billion Dollar SA Water Fund Earmarked for Bridges and Water Storage in NSW
New research from The Australia Institute and Conservation SA shows that money previously earmarked to return 450 gigalitres (GL) of water to the environment in South Australia may be used to upgrade over 1200 bridges and increase water storage capacity in New South Wales irrigation districts. The report investigates the current project proposals under the
Hunter mines running at 62% of approved capacity
Coal mines in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley extracted 150 million tonnes in 2020, 91 million tonnes less coal than their approved capacity of 241 million tonnes, according to new research released by the Australia Institute. The Australia Institute report also estimates the cost of filling in the Hunter’s mine voids at between $11 billion
April 2021
Why we should pause approvals of new coal mines
Why are new coal mines like melting ice cream? In today’s episode, Richard Denniss explains the economics of coal, why Malcolm Turnbull has been in trouble with the Liberals and why we need to pause approvals of new coal mines. Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Guest: Richard Denniss, chief economist,
Upper Hunter Polling: Majority of Voters Agree with Turnbull Call for Moratorium on New Coal Mines
The majority of voters (57.4%) in the NSW state seat of Upper Hunter support former PM Malcolm Turnbull’s call for a moratorium on new coal mine approvals and a remediation plan for existing mines for the Hunter Valley. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 686 residents in the NSW state seat of
NSW’s $10 Billion Annual Climate Bill: Coal Exporters Should Pay, Not Households & Business
The Australia Institute is calling on the NSW Government to support a National Climate Compensation Fund, funded by a levy on fossil fuel exports, to help cover the crippling costs of climate change on the state. Today’s NSW Treasury Intergenerational Report on Climate Risk shows the average annual costs of climate change for NSW to
December 2020
3 in 4 NSW Voters Back Victorian Style Euthanasia Laws, Including 76% of Coalition Voters
New research from The Australia Institute has shown that a significant majority of New South Wales voters support the introduction of voluntary assisted dying laws, modelled on Victorian legislation that was passed last year. The Australia Institute surveyed 1,038 New South Wales residents between 10 and 16 December 2020. Key results: Seven in 10 NSW
Leaked Government Paper: EV Tax Will ‘Discourage Uptake’, ‘Face Strong Opposition’
Putting a new tax on electric vehicles without related concessions, as has been proposed in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, would likely face strong opposition and discourage Australians from purchasing zero and low emissions cars, a leaked intergovernmental document has shown. The analysis of potential models for state based Road User Charges for
November 2020
Statement in response to Narrabri Gas Project Federal Approval
“The Federal Government’s decision to approve the Narrabri gas project not only endangers water and the environment, but will permanently lock NSW manufacturers into high gas prices,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Director at the Australia Institute. “Australia Institute research shows high cost gas from Narrabri ($7.40 GJ at the wellhead) will displace lower
October 2020
Key to Reforming National Electricity Market: Build On Demand Response
Australia’s electricity sector is being revolutionised by the rise of renewable energy and storage, but new analysis from the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows the current energy market framework is holding these technologies back. In 2018 the Federal and State/Territory Governments tasked the Energy Security Board with designing a new National Electricity Market
August 2020
Key ‘independent’ data in last-minute Narrabri gas modelling provided by Santos itself
Economic modelling suggesting Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project would reduce gas prices is based on cost estimates from Santos itself, not independent analysis from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as claimed by Santos. If the independent production cost estimates commissioned and published by AEMO in February this year are used, rather than the figure supplied
Narrabri CSG assessment riddled with errors
New analysis by the Australia Institute shows that the NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment’s (DPIE) assessment of the Narrabri Gas Project, downplays environmental impacts and overstates economic benefits of gas development to the region, relying on modelling commissioned by the proponent of the project while ignoring research and experience from previously failed coal
July 2020
Gas Fired Recovery Only Benefits Gas Industry
New analysis by the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program finds that using the COVID-19 recovery funding to subsidise the gas industry would create few jobs, increase emissions and lock in higher energy prices. Key Findings Despite being the world’s largest Liquified Natural Gas exporter, less than 0.2% of Australia’s workforce works in the gas
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