IMF confirms — tax concessions distorting Australia’s housing market
Findings released today from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) align with existing research from the Australia Institute that tax concessions are distorting Australia’s housing market. The IMF noted that “tax breaks, including from capital gains tax discount and superannuation concessions, could be phased out to generate a more equitable and efficient tax system”. Supporting the
Big Super is still investing in nuclear weapons
A new report has found that despite claiming not to invest in ‘controversial weapons’ 13 of the top 14 Australian super funds are still investing in nuclear weapons companies, in some cases even in an option described as ‘responsible’, new research from The Australia Institute and Quit Nukes has found. Key results At least $3.4
Negative gearing and capital gains tax discount driving up house prices
Restricting negative gearing and scrapping the capital gains tax discount would make housing more affordable and increase home ownership rates, the Australia Institute has said in a recent submission. Key Findings: A major cause of rising house prices has been increased demand from investors. Restricting negative gearing to newly built housing and scrapping the capital
September 2024
Report: Fire ants to kill 6 Queenslanders and cost households $188 million annually if not eradicated
As fire ant numbers surge across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, new research shows Queensland households could be hit with an annual bill of $188 million, if they are not eradicated. The report, released by the Australia Institute, estimates that, if fire ants are allowed to spread, every year they could cause six deaths, trigger 116,000 medical visits and
Coles, Woolies’ Secret Pricing Deal Undercuts Inflation Claims
Coles and Woolworths seem to take turns offering items on sale, showing that they are more concerned with protecting their market power than competing against each other, Australia Institute research has revealed. The ACCC this week launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of products at
Open Letter Calls on Government to Set Timeline for End of New Fossil Fuel Projects
A group of Australia’s leading climate and environment organisations have signed an open letter, coordinated by the Australia Institute and published today in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times, calling on the federal government to tell Australians when it will stop approving new coal, oil and gas projects. The open letter
ACCC Suing Supermarkets as Price Gouging Drives Inflation, Rate Hikes
The ACCC launching legal action against Coles and Woolworths today for misleading consumers reinforces the findings of Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work research, that showed inflation is higher because of big businesses price gouging. Key Points: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading
Overdue report delivers scathing assessment of Tasmanian Government’s environmental record
The State of the Environment Report released today shows that Tasmania’s unique environmental assets have been severely impacted by years of neglect from the state government, the Australia Institute has said. Key Findings: The Tasmanian Government has released the first State of the Environment Report in 15 years. The report shows that the Government has
Analysis: 95% of Government Revenue not from Mining Industry
Claims from the mining industry that they are significant funders of public services in Australia are overblown, ignore the fact that their profits are made off the back of public resources, and are heavily publicly subsidised, the Australia Institute has said. Key Points: Taxes and royalties paid by the mining industry make up just 5 cents
Scrap fuel tax rebates for mining industry, not farmers
The Fuel Tax Credits Scheme should be scrapped for the mining industry, not farmers, the Australia Institute has said in response to calls at today’s National Farmer Rally to keep the tax rebate for the agricultural industry. Key Findings: The Fuel Tax Credits Scheme, also called the Diesel Fuel Rebate, is a subsidy for fossil
GDP Figures Show Per Capita Recession Entrenched Amid Inequality Crisis
Today’s national account figures show that GDP per capita fell by 0.4% during the June quarter. This is the 6th consecutive quarter of negative GDP per capita growth, showing that Australia is in a per capita recession amid an ongoing inequality crisis. Key Points: GDP per capita growth of –0.4% represents the 6th consecutive quarter of
August 2024
Tax System Turbocharging Wealth Inequality in Australia
The wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people nearly tripled as a share of GDP over the last two decades, as inequality grew to new record levels in the country, the Australia Institute has shown.
$41 billion of new fossil fuel projects are gobbling up construction supply chain
$41b of committed resource and energy infrastructure projects is soaking up construction capacity that could otherwise be used to build essential infrastructure, such as housing and roads.
NT motorists pay 32 times more in rego than the gas industry pays in royalties: New research
Motorists pay almost 32 times more in vehicle registration than the gas industry pays in royalties in the Northern Territory, according to new Australia Institute research.
Off-Peak Hot Water: One Simple Change to Support Renewable Rollout
Australia’s off-peak hot water systems should be reconfigured to consume electricity in the middle of the day, rather than at night, according to new research from the Australia Institute and Buildings Alive.
July 2024
Big ute loophole cost taxpayers over $250 million in 2023
Tax breaks for huge, American-style utes cost Australians over $250 million in foregone revenue in 2023, according to a new report from the Australia Institute.
Dutton’s divestiture plan would help with cost-of-living, keep lid on inflation
The Coalition’s proposed divestiture powers to break up major hardware and grocery retailers could help keep inflation down and assist with cost-of-living pressures. “The introduction of divestiture laws is a sensible tool to stop large companies like Woolworths and Coles misusing their market power. It would be good for prices at the checkout and help
New union rights to boost workplace cooperation
New rights for volunteer union delegates are set to make workplaces more, not less, cooperative, according to a new analysis by the Australia Institute.
June 2024
Majority of Australians Back Action to Track and Address Child Poverty
Four in five Australians (83%) want the Federal Government to officially define and measure poverty levels, and for income support payments to be boosted to prevent children from living in poverty, according to new research by the Australia Institute.
Momentous budget and planning decisions must be based on current environmental data
Leading environment and policy groups are calling on the Tasmanian Government to make the decade-long-delayed State of the Environment Report public before several key financial and planning decisions are made by the government and the parliament later this year.
Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz Australian Speaking Tour: July and August 2024
Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate, former World Bank Chief Economist, and best-selling author and professor at Columbia University, will visit Australia from late July 2024 for a national speaking tour to discuss Australia’s growing inequality, the levers available to governments to address it, and his latest book, ‘The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society’.
Superannuation tax concessions entrench income and gender inequality
Australia Institute research finds women and low-income earners are being left behind by a superannuation tax concession system that disproportionately benefits high-income earners and men.
Majority of Australians back digital free-to-air sports coverage
Australia Institute research has found a majority (56%) of Australians want free-to-air sports coverage to be available on the internet.
Zero royalties charged on $111 billion in WA gas sales
Australia Institute research has found that 73% of gas exported from WA attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational gas corporations for free.
Privatised Profits, Services Failure: Consumers Worse Off After Three Decades of Competition Policy
New analysis from the Australia Institute shows that the privatisation, deregulation, and outsourcing of public services has failed to provide economic or social returns to Australians.
Minimum wage increase fails to erase post-pandemic losses
Today’s 3.75% increase in the national minimum wage and Modern Awards provides a badly needed income boost for Australia’s lowest-paid workers, and will help to prevent a possible recession by supporting stronger consumer spending.
May 2024
Gas exports: 56% given to corporations royalty-free
Australia Institute research has found that 56% of gas exported from Australia attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational gas corporations for free.
Australians revealed as world’s biggest fashion consumers, fuelling waste crisis
Australians buy more clothes per person than any other country which is fuelling a fast fashion waste crisis, according to new Australia Institute research.
“Perverse Incentive” NSW Government Continues Native Forest Logging to Keep Carbon Credits Plan Alive
An investigative video report by the Australia Institute has found taxpayer subsidised native forest logging is destroying hundreds of hectares of the future Great Koala National Park each week, despite the NSW Government’s election commitment to put the land aside for protection.
WA Gas Royalties Set to Plummet: Budget Analysis
Australia Institute analysis of the 2024 WA Budget shows the meagre contribution of gas royalties to state government revenue will plumet to just 0.6% over the next 4 years.
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