Media Releases
Federal Government’s gas policy acknowledges there is no gas shortage
The Albanese Government’s announcement of a gas reserve for Australians is an acknowledgement that there is no gas shortage, and that excessive exports have driven up energy prices for Australians. The Gas Market Review Report acknowledges that unrestricted exports linked Australian prices to world prices, tripling the cost of gas on Australia’s east coast over
Centre For Future Work to evolve into standalone entity
The Centre for Future Work was established by the Australia Institute in 2016 to conduct and publish progressive economic research on work, employment, and labour markets. Supported by the Australian Union movement, the centre produced cutting edge research and led the national conversation on economic issues facing working people: including the future of jobs, wages
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.
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
November 2025
Drowned out in the stream. Australian music is in trouble and needs investment: new report
The algorithms of global music streaming services like Spotify, YouTube, Amazon and Apple are killing Australian music, according to a new report by a former Spotify executive. As Australians celebrate the nation’s extraordinary artists to mark AusMusic T-Shirt Day today, the report reveals that the number of artists featured on music streaming giants has fallen by
The only thing that can save the environment is stopping new gas and coal
The EPBC is a planning instrument and while this bill is stronger with the Greens’ amendments, it will not secure a safe climate and protect biodiversity. The most important contribution Australia can make to stabilising our climate is committing to no new gas and no new coal. It’s time for Resources Minister Madeleine King, Climate
Dubious donations and fake philanthropy. Exposing the exaggerated generosity of Australia’s biggest companies
Australia Institute research into 20 of Australia’s largest corporations has found that over half the value of their reported contributions to the community were dubious, leading to overinflated claims of generosity in the private sector.
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.
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.
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.
Leaked report undermines WA Premier’s claim that LNG exports help Asia’s clean energy transition
The Western Australian government’s claim that its domestic gas production is helping Asia’s clean energy transition has been undermined in a leaked report – which it commissioned.
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.
Australians believe universities are too expensive and not doing their job: polling
New Australia Institute polling research shows most Australians, regardless of who they vote for, think most university degrees are too expensive.
Rate hold shows RBA cares more about inflation than jobs
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to leave interest rates on hold may come as no surprise, but it’s still a huge disappointment for mortgage holders at a time when key indicators show so many are struggling.
Most Australians think politicians’ secret cash-for-access payments are corrupt
New Australia Institute polling research shows most Australians, regardless of who they vote for, think cash-for access payments represent corrupt conduct. Cash-for-access describes exclusive fundraising events where companies and lobbyists pay to meet with senior party leaders.
New polling reveals only 8% of Australians genuinely convinced Australia “shares values” with Trump’s America
In May 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said that Australia and the United States “share values” including “democracy and the rule of law”.
Westpac profits from the pain of regular Australians – but there is a solution
Westpac has today announced a full-year profit of $10 billion before tax for the financial year ending on 30 September, 2025. Westpac is one of Australia’s “big four” banks, which together control 72% of all loans to Australian residents. By market capitalisation, Westpac ranks as Australia’s fifth largest listed company and third largest bank. Westpac
Putting Australia Last. 20 years worth of gas exported in past 5 years, while Australians threatened with shortages.
New Australia Institute analysis shows that over the past five years the Australian government has allowed the export of enough gas to supply Australia for more than 20 years.
October 2025
Every four hours, a gun is stolen in Australia
More than 2,000 guns are stolen every year in Australia, according to new research by The Australia Institute.
Salmon industry review plan falls well short of community expectations
In August, The Australia Institute welcomed the Tasmanian Liberal Party’s promise to conduct an independent study into the salmon industry, pausing marine expansion while the review is carried out. However, the Tasmanian Government’s Terms of Reference were finalised without public consultation. Moreover, the entire study will not provide any recommendations. The Australia Institute has been
What is China really trying to achieve in the South China Sea and do Australian warships make things better or worse?
Ground-breaking new bilingual research by The Australia Institute reveals how tensions in the South China Sea are misunderstood and misrepresented in Australia.
There is no financial crisis at the University of Newcastle: New analysis
New analysis from The Australia Institute shows the University of Newcastle has generated surpluses and seen its net assets grow significantly.
Labor misleads UNESCO to protect destructive industrial salmon farms
A letter from the Australian government to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, obtained by The Australia Institute under Freedom of Information, misleads UNESCO to allay concerns about the damage industrial salmon farming is doing to Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage.
Underfunded and painfully slow – is the Tasmanian government serious about protecting the state’s natural wonders and its people?
After a decade-long delay for a detailed report into the state of the Tasmanian environment, the state government seems to have again pulled the handbrake on protecting the state’s natural wonders.
Progressive patriotism: ACTU’s 25% gas export tax should replace broken PRRT
Analysis by The Australia Institute reveals that replacing the broken Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) with a flat 25% tax on gas exports, as suggested by the ACTU, would raise more than $17 billion a year, enough to quadruple Commonwealth spending on housing.
Adani selling coal to India at mates rates, costing Queenslanders $400 million
Queensland taxpayers have missed out on almost $400 million because Adani sold coal at mates rates to Indian customers, according to new research by The Australia Institute.
Watered-down super tax won’t address inequality
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has today announced a significantly weaker superannuation tax plan than the one he promised two years ago.
Government’s FOI changes could cover up the next Robodebt – new research
Proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) laws would make a repeat of the disastrous Robodebt coverup more likely, rather than less, according to new research by The Australia Institute.
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