May 2025
The opportunity of a lifetime. The first big test for the newly elected government.
Dozens of Australia’s leading climate and conservation groups have written an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urging him to put a more ambitious climate policy at the heart of his government’s plans for its second term.
Election result shows the Tasmanian salmon industry is still on the nose
Labor and the Coalition went to the election with the same policy position on Tasmania’s salmon industry: support at any cost.
Trashing a treasure. 28 days after the election, the Australian government faces a critical test of its priorities
Just 28 days after tomorrow’s federal election, the government faces a critical decision, which will send a message to the world about its priorities.
Gas drilling off Great Ocean Road dangerous and unnecessary
A gas exploration drilling rig has appeared within sight of one of Australia’s most loved and iconic natural wonders, the 12 Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
April 2025
Circuit breaker needed as fossil fuel export surge risks further climate harm
New Australia Institute research shows coal exports have reached record highs and new coal and gas projects continue to be approved.
Australia approves massive new gas export project
In the middle of an election campaign with a major focus on gas exports, Australia has just approved another massive new gas export project.
Big Gas taking the piss: New research on Japanese gas giant, INPEX
New research by The Australia Institute highlights that Australia has a gas export problem, reinforcing the cross-party consensus that has emerged during the election campaign.
Australian gas for Australians first a big winner for Dutton – especially among conservative voters
Peter Dutton’s insistence that Australia does not have a shortage of gas and that the Coalition is “not here to line the pockets of big gas companies” is a big hit with voters, particularly conservative voters, according to new polling released by The Australia Institute.
All sides of politics agree – there is no gas shortage
Chris Bowen’s acknowledgement that Australia exports a lot of gas brings Labor into line with what everyone has long known – Australia does not have a gas shortage.
Australians have never received their fair share of mining export profits, but Peter Dutton’s sovereign wealth fund won’t work
Australia is one of the largest exporters of mineral resources in the world, but Australians have never received their fair share of the profits from selling those resources.
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.
March 2025
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.
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.
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.
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
60 jobs: The salmon industry finally comes clean
Ever since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s letter pledging to protect the foreign-owned salmon industry at the expense of world heritage wilderness, an ecological disaster has unfolded in Tasmania.
February 2025
Australians must be protected from diseased salmon
With an unfolding ecological disaster in Tasmania, salmon farmers have a duty to protect Australian families from diseased, dying or dead fish.
Woodside’s North West Shelf gas export project: a disaster on five fronts
Australia Institute analysis reveals Woodside’s North West Shelf gas export project is driving up WA energy prices, threatening the state’s domestic gas reserves, paying even fewer royalties, corroding one of the world’s greatest artistic treasures, and wrecking the climate.
Secrecy, Prime Ministerial promises, now mass deaths – time to clean up Tasmania’s salmon industry
Australia’s Administrative Review Tribunal has ordered the federal government to release a ministerial brief on the prospective extinction of the Maugean skate, recognised for its World Heritage value, in a win for government transparency over a culture of secrecy.
PM’s move to protect foreign companies undermines democratic process
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s letter to the Tasmanian salmon industry, promising new federal environmental laws to protect the foreign-owned businesses, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines government process.
Something fishy about PM’s reported pledge to salmon industry
There are reports today that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to the Tasmanian salmon industry, assuring its future in Macquarie Harbour.
Australian Government urged to release response to UNESCO concerns about Maugean Skate
The Australia Institute and 13 other organisations have written to UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to highlight the plight of the endangered Maugean skate and request their assistance to prevent its extinction.
Private sector demands ‘real zero’ policies and an end to fossil fuels
Some of Australia’s best-known and most respected industry, business and community leaders have written an open letter to state and federal MPs calling for an end to the “net zero smokescreen” to “secure Australia’s prosperity”.
95 top Australian and international artists unite to stop the destruction of one of the world’s greatest artworks
Many of Australia’s most renowned artists, writers and musicians are calling on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to stop the destruction of one of world’s most important artworks and cultural heritage sites, the Murujuga petroglyphs in Western Australia.
January 2025
Political Candidates Urged to Pledge Support for Protecting Endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour
The Australia Institute is inviting politicians and candidates to show they are willing to listen to the science and pledge their support for protecting the critically endangered Maugean skate. Several politicians and federal election candidates have publicly endorsed the petition, including: Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark Senator Nick McKim, Australian Greens Peter George,
$10,000 fine manifestly inadequate for Santos oil spill
A $10,000 fine issued to Santos for a large oil spill off the coast of Western Australia is little more than a slap on the wrist for the multi-billion-dollar gas company. But it’s a slap in the face for anyone concerned with protecting Australia’s natural environment.
General Enquiries
Emily Bird Office Manager
mail@australiainstitute.org.au
Media Enquiries
Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor
glenn.connley@australiainstitute.org.au