Media Releases
ACTU plan would fix gas policy mess and raise $12.5b for Australians
Australia Institute analysis submitted to the federal government’s Gas Market Review shows the ACTU proposal for a 25% tax on gas exports would end the gas shortages being engineered by the gas industry, cut gas prices, and deliver $12.5 billion revenue windfall for Australian industry and households.
SA algal bloom underlines urgent need for National Climate Disaster Fund
The algal bloom wreaking havoc on the South Australian coastline and economy underlines the urgent need for a National Climate Disaster Fund.
New analysis reveals Victoria produces more gas than it uses
New analysis by The Australia Institute reveals Victoria does not have a gas shortage, with the state producing more gas than it uses and consumption at its lowest level since the 1980s.
Three simple, fair steps which would raise 70 billion dollars a year in extra tax
New Australia Institute research has identified three simple tax reforms which would raise an extra 70 billion dollars a year without hurting low or middle-income Australians.
Liberals plan for Marine Environment Act and salmon review a big step in the right direction
The Australia Institute welcomes the Tasmanian Liberal Party’s promise to conduct an independent study into the salmon industry, pausing marine expansion while the review is carried out.
Minister backs foreign commercial fish farms over endangered native species
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has used changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to allow the continuation of commercial salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour.
Climate change the elephant in the room at the Economic Reform Roundtable
New analysis from The Australia Institute underlines the impact of climate change on the economy and productivity ahead of next week’s Economic Reform Roundtable.
Feeling hopeless? You’re not alone. The untold story behind Australia’s plummeting standard of living
A new report on Australia’s standard of living has found that low real wages, underfunded public services and skyrocketing prices have left many families experiencing hardship and hopelessness.
Rate cut welcome – but borrowers are still behind
The Australia Institute welcomes the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut interest rates today, but borrowers are still at least 0.25% behind where they should be.
Paid to pollute – new analysis reveals how big polluters are making a mockery of Australia’s key climate policy
New analysis by The Australia Institute reveals how the nation’s biggest polluters are making a mockery of Australia’s key climate policy, the safeguard mechanism.
Woodside’s Science Week sponsorship risks undermining WA Museum’s scientific integrity
The Western Australian Museum’s decision to allow Woodside Energy’s sponsorship of Science Week risks undermining the museum’s scientific integrity.
Underfunded, toothless and lacking transparency – time for a new era of integrity in Tasmania
As Tasmania’s newly elected politicians jostle to form government, new analysis from The Australia Institute shows that a deal to address integrity would be popular among election-weary voters.
“Right to hunt” laws could backfire on conservation, regional communities and public safety
A Parliamentary Inquiry into proposed “right to hunt” laws in New South Wales has been told that allowing hunting as a means of controlling feral animal numbers could backfire terribly.
ACTU plan to tax gas exports would cut energy bills and allow government to triple spending on housing
Analysis by The Australia Institute shows ACTU Secretary Sally McManus’s call for a 25% tax on revenue from gas exports to replace the “broken” Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) would raise around $12.5 billion annually, enough to triple the Australian government’s housing expenditure.
A smooth move or a tough transition? Protecting workers who’ll lose their jobs when the Eraring Power Station closes
The Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute has urged the federal government to take charge of transitioning hundreds of workers into secure employment when the Eraring Power Station shuts down.
July 2025
Australians want to kick political parties out of postal voting – poll
Australians overwhelmingly want to keep political parties out of the postal voting process, according to new polling conducted for The Australia Institute.
Gas exports have tripled Australian gas prices and doubled electricity prices
New Australia Institute research reveals that gas exports have led to the tripling of wholesale east coast gas prices and doubling of electricity prices, since exports began in 2015.
Australia does not have a “productivity crisis” – new research
New research by The Australia Institute reveals there is little evidence of a “productivity crisis” in Australia, despite claims to the contrary from business leaders and politicians.
Government data confirms Australia doesn’t need more gas
Projections released by the Albanese Government show Australia’s gas consumption is in long-term decline — undermining claims by the Prime Minister that more gas is needed to support the renewable energy transition. Analysis by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) confirms that Australia’s gas use peaked years ago and will continue
NSW court blocking largest coalmine expansion in state a big win for the environment
The Australia Institute welcomes reports that the New South Wales Court of Appeal has overturned the approval of one of the largest coal mine expansions in the state.
ICJ ruling confirms states have a legal duty to act on climate — Australia now faces a clear choice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has confirmed that states have binding legal obligations under international law to prevent climate harm and protect present and future generations.
Oil and gas export rip-off gets worse as Australian governments hand back royalties to Big Gas
Reporting in Boiling Cold confirms the Australian and Western Australian governments will hand back almost half of the royalties collected from the Chevron-operated Barrow Island joint venture oil facility in WA. The deal between Chevron and the Australian and WA governments means taxpayers will pay Chevron and its joint venture partners, Santos and Exxon, at least $500 million.
New analysis reveals the devastating truth behind Australians’ poker machine losses
New analysis by The Australia Institute reveals that the vast majority of the money Australians lose on poker machines each year is money they simply cannot afford to lose.
WA and federal governments allowing Woodside to export large amounts of WA’s domestic gas reserves
Reporting today confirms large quantities of Western Australia’s domestic gas reserves are being exported via Woodside’s North West Shelf project, and the federal and Western Australian governments are letting it happen.
Election result shows Tasmanians want a power-sharing government
This weekend saw Tasmania’s second election in just over a year, and the result means whoever forms government will need to work with the Greens or Independents if they want to govern.
Company tax cuts would do little to boost investment and hurt everyday Australians – new analysis
When Treasurer Jim Chalmers brings the nation’s economic leaders together next month, don’t be surprised if big business pushes – yet again – to cut the company tax rate.
Just 3% of Australians support the sale of Santos to foreign investors
New polling, commissioned by The Australia Institute, reveals just 3% of Australians want the federal government to approve the sale of Australian-based oil and gas company, Santos, to foreign investors.
What is the government doing to protect the World Heritage-listed Murujuga rock art?
The ancient Indigenous rock art on Western Australia’s Burrup Peninsula has been deservedly listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register.
Time to debate the benefits of collecting more tax – doing so would make Australians feel a lot richer
This morning, the media is reporting that the federal government has been advised that the budget cannot be fixed without raising taxes and cutting spending, and that its housing target is unachievable.
Two-thirds of Australians want a review of AUKUS, while less than half think it will make us safer: poll
66 per cent of Australians support a Parliamentary Inquiry into the AUKUS security agreement, according to new polling commissioned by The Australia Institute.
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