Media Releases
April 2025
Reversing years of lost power: the real reason behind Australia’s dismal wage growth
New research has revealed that real wages have been held back in Australia in recent decades because workers’ power to negotiate has been persistently and consistently eaten away.
Peter Dutton’s gas export tax is a good idea – and a turning point
The Coalition’s plan to impose a levy on gas companies which prioritise exports over Australian businesses and households marks a turning point for energy policy in Australia.
Coalition’s proposed gas levy could raise billions of dollars
The Coalition’s proposal to introduce a new tax on gas exports, designed to divert gas production away from exports and towards Australian households and industries, could raise billions of dollars, according to Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.
Are Australians eating diseased salmon? Sickening new revelations from Tasmania
Shocking new revelations about Tasmanian salmon should leave all Australians feeling sick to the stomach.
RBA should call urgent meeting to cut rates now in the wake of Trump tariff chaos
The Australia Institute calls on the Reserve Bank of Australia to reconvene its monetary policy board immediately, rather than wait until May, to deliver the rate cuts Australians need now.
Newspapers are dying. News diversity died years ago.
New research by The Australia Institute has found the slow death of newspapers in Australia has led to a plunge in media diversity and local storytelling.
The continuing irrelevance of minimum wages to future inflation
Minimum and award wages should grow by 5 to 9 per cent this year
Our PBS is a national treasure, not an international trade barrier
Extraordinary new analysis from The Australia Institute reveals the prices Australians would pay if the US had its way and dismantled our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Minimum wage increase would not impact inflation
The Australia Institute supports the call for a real wage increase for those on the minimum wage and award wages.
Albanese Government policies popular, but not well known
Most Australians fail to recognise some of the key policy measures introduced by the Albanese government, new polling research shows.
Rate hold more political than the cut we should have had
Today’s decision to keep interest rates on hold is more political than if the RBA had cut rates.
Gas giveaway: $170 billion for gas companies to 2030, $0 for Australians
Australia Institute analysis of the latest Australian Government commodity forecasts shows that, to 2030, multinational gas companies are expected to export $170 billion worth of liquified natural gas, made with gas that attracts zero royalties.
March 2025
Coalition, independents and Greens all agree: There is no gas supply shortage in Australia
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has confirmed what Australia Institute research has long shown – there is no gas supply shortage in Australia.
Peter Dutton confirms excessive gas exports hurt Australia
In his budget reply speech, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton confirmed what Australia Institute research has long shown – the gas export industry is hurting Australians.
Dutton’s gas plan won’t solve manufactured “shortages” – or bring down prices
Peter Dutton’s plan to force gas giants to divert gas to the domestic market won’t solve the manufactured shortages we have in this country – or bring down prices for local households or consumers.
Sydney smells the stink from Tasmania
Sydney voters care about fish deaths and the impact of commercial fishing in Tasmania, according to a new poll.
A dark day for the environment – and democracy
This is a dark day for two of Australia’s greatest treasures: the environment and our democracy.
Epic Fail. Dutton’s National Interest Test would snuff out his gas plan
Peter Dutton says he’ll approve the North West Shelf (NWS) gas expansion within 30 days if he wins the election.
Harmless budget of missed opportunities
This pre-election budget is designed to annoy as few people as possible.
The Prime Minister should take his own advice
Ten years ago, Anthony Albanese launched a passionate defence of the laws which are designed to protect Australia’s environment.
Fossil fuel subsidies hit $15 billion, as crossbench seeks reform
New research from The Australia Institute has found that state and federal governments have given $15 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel producers and major consumers in the 2024-25 financial year.
Undemocratic environment laws to silence the public
The Federal Government and Opposition are proposing to weaken environmental protections and stop community groups from protecting nature.
Time to clean up Australia’s failing, scandal-plagued universities
Australia’s universities are plummeting down international rankings while charging students more than ever for their degrees.
5 ways and 63 billion reasons to improve Australia’s tax system
With a federal election just around the corner, new analysis from The Australia Institute reveals 63 billion reasons why our next Parliament should improve the nation’s tax system.
Bombshell FOI reveals fish farms have been inadequately assessed for impact on threatened species and World Heritage
Documents released today under Freedom of Information reveal advice to the federal government that salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour should be comprehensively assessed under national environment law, for its impact on the endangered Maugean skate and the harbour’s World Heritage value. The advice was provided in November 2023 as the ‘likely outcome’ of reconsidering a 2012
Mythical shortages and a manufactured “crisis” – How the gas industry uses AEMO data to trick Australians
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will this week release its annual Gas Statement of Opportunities.
Bad advice – which hasn’t aged well
Ten years after former Treasurer Joe Hockey advised Australians to get “a good job that pays good money” to buy a house, new analysis by The Australia Institute reveals just how bad that advice actually was.
Implications for ACT of High Court decision on Commonwealth v Yunupingu
On Wednesday 12 March, the High Court of Australia is scheduled to hand down a decision on the case Commonwealth of Australia v. Yunupingu (on behalf of the Gumatj Clan or Estate Group) & Ors.
Coal and gas exporters are causing this mess. They should help clean it up.
Ordinary Australians are paying the massive costs of more frequent and extreme floods caused by a handful of global fossil fuels corporations, including the coal and gas export giants operating in Australia.
International Women’s Day 2025: Five key issues facing working women in Australia
To mark International Women’s Day, The Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work has identified five key issues facing working women in 2025.
From debt to diversity, AI to pay … Program Director Fiona Macdonald and Senior Researcher Lisa Heap tell us what to expect following sweeping changes to policies impacting women in the US and the looming election here.
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