Articles
Commonwealth Budget 2025-2026: Our analysis
The Centre for Future Work’s research team has analysed the Commonwealth Government’s budget, focusing on key areas for workers, working lives, and labour markets. As expected with a Federal election looming, the budget is not a horror one of austerity. However, the 2025-2026 budget is characterised by the absence of any significant initiatives. There is
Budget 2025 Winners and Losers – The Australia Institute
Some quickfire analysis from Greg Jericho, Chief Economist
Commonwealth live music inquiry: sing along with the chorus now…
The Australian Government’s latest report into the state of live music – “Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?” – makes some great recommendations, including for: tax offsets to be given to venues that host live music; training and education programs to help foster a love of music among young people; a rebate or
Analysis: Will 2025 be a good or bad year for women workers in Australia?
In 2024 we saw some welcome developments for working women, led by government reforms. Benefits from these changes will continue in 2025. However, this year, technological, social and political changes may challenge working women’s economic security and threaten progress towards gender equality at work Here’s our list of five areas we think will impact on
February 2025
Small Islands making waves of change: Legacy of AOSIS – Ilana Seid | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Multilateralism plays a vital role in advancing climate justice. The representation of Small Island Developing States in the United Nations – both individually and through alliances such as AOSIS – has played a transformative role in advancing global climate justice and action.
Holding Leaders to Account – Richard Denniss | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
“Demanding better from our leaders is often met with threats like ‘well if you push too hard then you’ll get nothing’.” “Ignore this. It shows you’re winning.” Watch: In his opening remarks, Richard shows how far we have come since the Australia Institute’s first Climate Integrity Summit 3 years ago. Wrapping the Summit up, Richard
Beyond the Energy Security Myth: Japan-Aus LNG – Yuki Tanabe | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
This session exposes the myth that Japan’s energy security depends on Australian LNG imports and reveals that the energy “security” narrative by policymakers serves commercial interests rather than reflecting genuine energy vulnerability or regional instability.
The Shifting Geopolitical Order – Dr Emma Shortis | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Dr Emma Shortis will examine the United States’ changing influence and the broader reconfiguration of the global geopolitical landscape.
Redefining Global Security – Dr Helder da Costa | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Representing conflict-affected countries, the g7+ advocates for sustainable, inclusive solutions to address the interconnected challenges of climate resilience, peacebuilding, and development.
Real Zero. Real corporate leadership – Dr Shanta Barley | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Too many corporate and government climate strategies continue to rely on offsets, carbon capture and storage and the land and ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon.
Integrity at home shapes global outcomes – Polly Hemming | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Despite frequent claims that Australia is ‘too small to make a difference,’ historical evidence demonstrates our nation’s outsized role in influencing international norms and policies.
Communicating with integrity: Building foundations for climate action | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Robust, science-based climate action depends on the integrity of communication—including in journalism, advocacy, and the regulation of information.
Intergenerational Climate Equity – Senator David Pocock | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
As we face the escalating impacts of climate change, the decisions we make today define the opportunities, rights, and wellbeing of future generations.
Creating jobs and building a good society while meeting the global warming challenge – Doug Cameron | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Far from costing Australians, decisive climate action will, in fact, strengthen Australia’s economy, security, community wellbeing and international influence.
Australia and the Pacific ‘Family’ – Savenaca Narube | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
As economic challenges in Pacific Island Countries are compounded and exacerbated by the climate crisis, the strength of what the Australian Government calls ‘the Pacific family’ is being tested.
“Stitch up” Labor and Coalition Deal on Electoral Reform
Last night, Liberal Senator Jane Hume announced they’d done a deal with the Albanese Labor Government on electoral laws – and some twelve hours later, it became law, having been rushed through both houses of Parliament. Labor’s compromises with the Coalition have worsened the bill even further: Instead of a disclosure threshold of $1,000, which
December 2024
Mapping how extreme heat exacerbates inequality
Extreme heat is the number one cause of weather-related illness and death in all parts of Australia, except Tasmania. Older, poorer, and sicker people are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. Our new report identifies the locations around Australia in which the greatest number of vulnerable people will be affected by extreme heat. Targeting these areas for support will ensure the greatest number of vulnerable people are helped during periods of extreme heat.
In worrying about productivity growth, the RBA has strayed beyond its remit
It’s official: the Reserve Bank of Australia will have its board split in two, and two new appointees will join the reconfigured monetary policy board, whose job it is to make decisions on interest rates. The move was recommended by an independent review panel in 2023. The new members of the monetary policy board, one
Japan and Australia’s gas-fuelled obsession endures under Asia Zero Emission Community
Japan and Australia enjoy a long-standing relationship when it comes to energy trade. According to Japan, “(t)he energy and resources sector is the bedrock of the Japan-Australia economic partnership”. But the two countries’ efforts to decarbonise their economies to reach their respective emissions reduction targets have been threatening to jeopardise this gas-fuelled obsession. Japan has
Coal royalties are a tiny part of the NSW Budget
The people of Australia collectively own all the resources under the ground. This means that the coal in NSW is the property of the Australian people too. Because of this, mining companies have to pay the NSW Government a “royalty” if they want to dig up and sell coal. Royalties are not taxes. They are
Gardening for a healthier life and a healthier planet
Australians are hungry to grow their own food and the reasons are simple: growing your own food is healthier and better for the planet. Whether it’s herb pots on a windowsill or a rambling backyard veggie patch, Australians say that growing some of their own food makes them feel better, eat better and tread lighter on the planet.
Australia’s traffic fine system is unfair – is it time to implement proportional fines?
How is Australia’s system unfair? If you get caught speeding in Australia, you will be fined with a flat-rate traffic fine. Exceeding the speed limit by 12km/h in New South Wales earns you a $361 fine, whether you are on government benefits or a billionaire. This is not a fair system. What about the principle:
Tasmanian MPs rate of pay
Tasmanian MPs have not had a pay increase since 2018.
November 2024
Shortlist for the Australia Institute Climate Cartoon Award
We are delighted to sponsor this year’s Australia Institute Climate Cartoon Award, organised by the Australian Cartoonists Association. The winner will be announced on Saturday, 30th November at the 40th Annual Stanleys Awards at Old Parliament House. This year’s shortlisted cartoons are as follows: Megan Herbert Judy Horacek Glen Le Lievre David Pope David Rowe
Eight things you need to know about the Government’s plan to change Australian elections
And eight ideas to improve it
Pacific Labourers overtaxed and exploited in Australia
The Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is often presented as being beneficial to all parties—Australia, Pacific workers, and those workers’ home countries. In reality, the benefits are weighted in favour of Australia.
Secretive and rushed: Unpacking SA’s new electoral laws
As dramatic changes to South Australian electoral law pass the house of review (Legislative Council), voters could be forgiven for wondering “what just happened?”
A week ago, no one had seen the government’s revised Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Bill 2024. Now, it’s set to become law.
Amy Remeikis and the Director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy and Accountability Program, Bill Browne, unpack how we got here … and what should happen next.
A Time for Bravery
Welcome to The Australia Institute, Amy Remeikis
Amy is one of Australia’s most respected political observers.
She proudly swims against the tide of spin which swirls around the Canberra bubble.
This is her first column for The Australia Institute.
Corporate profits increase inflation | Fact Sheet
The prices of many goods and services have increased dramatically across Australia since 2021. This has resulted in hardship for many households—along with $100 billion in increased profits for major companies. These corporate profits have been a key factor driving inflation.
Climate change driving insurance premiums, adding to cost of living pressure and inflation
Climate change is driving an enormous increase in the cost of insurance with premiums massively outpacing price rises for nearly all other goods and services, making it unaffordable for many Australians.
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