New research from The Australia Institute has found that the economy and climate change are the two most important issues for voters in the seat of Eden-Monaro, with a majority of voters saying economic stimulus following the COVID-19 crisis should also address and build our resilience to climate change. The Australia Institute commissioned uComms to

Australians can lay to rest concern over incurring and repaying government debt, as new research shows urgent spending required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will not create a debt burden, and therefore should not provoke future austerity measures to ‘repay the debt’. The report, released today by the Australia Institute, reveals misunderstanding around how

Despite the fact that women have disproportionately lost their jobs and hours of work in the recession the Government’s stimulus measures have been disproportionately focussed on male-intensive industries according to new analysis by the Australia Institute. “Between March and April the number of women employed fell 5.3 per cent compared to 3.9 per cent for

The NSW Government plan to cut the pay of public servants and spend more money on capital works will likely lead to a reduction of 1,100 jobs according to a new analysis by the Australia Institute. “While spending money on new construction projects will likely create some jobs in some parts of New South Wales,

New research from The Australia Institute has found that more than three in four Australians (77%) support states closing their borders to interstate travel. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Australians about their view on state border closures on 27-28 May. Key Findings: More than three in four Australians (77%) support

A new report from The Australia Institute has found the Tasmanian State Government has spent a far larger proportion of its Gross State Product (GSP) than any other Australian state. The new analysis collates publicly available data, with at least some traceability, on state responses to the COVID-19 induced economic emergency, between March 23rd and

New research from The Australia Institute has found that a majority of voters in the seat of Eden-Monaro want the JobSeeker payment to be permanently increased from its pre-pandemic level of $283 per week. The revelation of the $60 billion JobKeeper hole raises pressure on the Government to increase JobeSeeker. The Australia Institute conducted a

New research from The Australia Institute has found that more than one in two Australians agree that the Government should double funding for the Australia Council for the Arts to help support the arts during COVID-19, and the majority of Australians (62%) agree that online streaming services should be subject to similar Australian content obligations

Government is the most trusted source of information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the institution most trusted to lead the world out of the current economic crisis, new research from The Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program has revealed. The Australia Institute conducted surveys of over 1,000 people each in Australia, New Zealand,

The Australia Institute has released a new report looking at how key economic criteria can be used to assess the effectiveness of future stimulus measures in Tasmania. The report has been sent to all Members of the Tasmanian Parliament, some members of the Premier’s recovery taskforce,  industry and community leaders and unions. “As stimulus money

New research from the Australia Institute shows the majority (59%) of Australians want company tax for big business to remain the same or be increased. Only a minority (19%) of respondents thought tax rates should be decreased. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,020 Australians about whether the company tax rate for

New research from the Australia Institute shows that 45% of Australians say they will download and use the Government’s COVID-19 mobile app, while 28% say they will not used it and 27% unsure. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,011 Australians about whether they would use the government’s COVID-19 mobile app on

Having spent $200 billion to stabilise the economy during the COVID-19 crisis, new research shows it is now time for the Federal Government to roll out structural supports—projects that are labour intensive, rely heavily on local supply chains and deliver lasting benefits. The Australia Institute has released a new report, detailing key economic criteria to

93 Australian economists and policy experts have signed an open letter, coordinated by the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute, supporting a government wage subsidy to prevent mass unemployment during the coming economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

New research from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work reveals the consequences of freezing public service pay, both for public sector workers and for the broader economy.

New polling shows more than eight in ten Australians support extending the wage subsidy, known as the JobKeeper program, to all casual workers, regardless of how long they have worked at their place of employment.

New research from The Australia Institute shows that Australia’s private health insurers are set to enjoy a windfall of between $3.5 billion and $5.5 billion over the next six months. “The takeover of private hospitals by Governments, social distancing and other policies to counter corona virus mean that far fewer services will be provided to

The Government’s second economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus is a package of positive small short-term measures but provides no long-term secondary benefit.  However, better measures will also need to be put in place to ensure the stimulus gets out more quickly. Furthermore, there is a real risk effected employees will not receive

New research shows an overwhelming majority of Australians (82.5%) support the ACTU proposal that the Government guarantee two weeks paid leave for all workers who are forced to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19.  The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,723 Australians on the night of 18 March 2020. Key Findings: An overwhelming

New research from The Australia Institute has found that a majority of Australians (52%) want to see Newstart boosted to the rate of the Age Pension for the course of the Coronavirus crisis, while one in three Australians (34%) oppose the idea. Key findings: –          The maximum single rate of Newstart is currently $559 per

“Looking at the Government’s coronavirus stimulus announcement, one thing stands out: the size is right for the initial response but the shape is wrong. The most effective form of stimulus makes up less than a quarter of the total package,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute, responding to the Morrison government’s stimulus

New research by the Australia Institute shows the Government’s objective of achieving a budget surplus ignores the consequences of such an economic strategy—leaving Australian taxpayers to bear the burden of less government services, despite paying their taxes. The report reveals that the present Government commitment to return to a surplus of at least one per

Today’s announcement by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that GDP grew by 0.5% seasonally adjusted for the quarter and 2.2% over the last year shows the Australian economy remains sluggish. “Today’s figures confirm that GDP in Australia is still stuck in the slow lane. The last time the Australian economy grew above its long run

An open letter signed by Australian and international forestry and climate experts, published by the Australia Institute today, has called for the immediate nationwide cessation of all native forest logging in response to the climate, fire, drought and biodiversity loss crises currently facing Australia. The letter, signed by scientists from countries including Australia, USA, Canada, New

New analysis from the Australia Institute shows that superannuation tax concessions are almost as large as the cost of the aged pension and growing at twice the rate. Key Findings: According to the latest Treasury release of the Tax Benchmark and Variations Statement, superannuation tax concessions are expected to reach $41.3 billion in 2019-20 and

New national survey research from The Australia Institute reveals most Australians have been personally impacted by the bushfires and smoke, including millions missing work or suffering health impacts. Additionally, the research shows concern about the impacts of climate change are especially high among those directly affected by the fires, as is the wish for the

The Australia Institute wishes Premier Will Hodgman, one of Tasmania’s most popular premiers, all the best for his future endeavours. The Premier can be proud of many of his achievements, particularly leading the government into a pro-renewable energy stance. Will Hodgman’s retirement will present both a challenge and opportunity for the Tasmanian Government, The Australia

New research from The Australia Institute has revealed that nearly one third of Australians (30%) are expecting to receive a gift that they will never use this Christmas.  Three in ten (30%), or approximately 7.3 million Australians will receive gifts they expect they will never use or wear this Christmas, representing a total value of

New Research from The Australia Institute has revealed that a majority of Australians would like to see Newstart recipients receive a bonus payment to help meet the increased costs of the holiday period. Key findings; Two in three Australians (63%) support a holiday supplement for Newstart recipients. Only 25% oppose a supplement A majority of

New research released today by the Australia Institute shows that airports in Australia are exploiting their monopoly power to make excessive profits, and that this major issue is being overlooked by the Productivity Commission. Over the Christmas holiday period, Australia’s airports are likely to be busier than ever. And as a result, passengers are going