A study purported to be from the CSIRO that showed that fracking was “safe for the environment” was actually overseen by the gas industry, and was based on just six of Queensland’s 19,000 coal seam gas wells, according to new analysis by The Australia Institute. The report was published by the Gas Industry Social and

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has announced that it will delay the implementation of its crucial ‘five minute settlement’ rule by just three months, due to COVID-19. The Australia Institute has opposed any excessive delays to the implementation of this rule, such as those proposed by incumbent energy generators, and welcome this decision from

Research published today by The Australia Institute highlights that employment in gas-related manufacturing declined while gas in the Northern Territory was very cheap. Fracked gas will be far more expensive, making petrochemical manufacturing in the Territory unviable without massive taxpayer subsidy. Key findings: The NT Government’s Power and Water Corporation had large surpluses of gas

Consumer and citizen groups have significant concerns that Google’s proposed takeover of wearables manufacturer Fitbit would be a game-changer not only for how people interact with the online world but also for digital and related health markets. Regulators around the world – in particular those concerned with antitrust compliance and data privacy – must therefore

Research published today by The Australia Institute shows that fossil fuel stocks have been the worst performers in the Australian stock market over the last decade. Fossil fuel stocks have lost around half their value in the first quarter this year with the COVID crisis compared to 23% for the wider market, continuing a decade-long trend of

New research shows that Australia’s pandemic response has reduced transport emissions by over 3,000,000 tonnes (3 Mt CO2-e), due to an unprecedented drop in the consumption of petroleum fuels during April—falling by 77% for domestic aviation, and a combined 36% drop for petrol, LPG and retail diesel. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has

New research from The Australia Institute has found that nearly two thirds of voters in the electorate of Eden-Monaro want the Government’s JobKeeper program extended for some or all industries beyond its current September expiry date. The Australia Institute commissioned uComms to conduct a survey of 643 residents across the New South Wales federal electorate

In a disrupted world, how Australia manages its relationship with the dominant regional, and potentially global, power of China matters—however new research reveals the slender resources devoted to China analysis and research is preventing Australia from realising the opportunities a well-managed relationship can bring and from avoiding the pitfalls of over-reaction. The report shows that

The Government’s decision to end free childcare come July is at odds with its own economic goals, as new research by The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre reveals policies that make it easier for women to choose to go back to work will see the country recover faster from the COVID-19 economic crisis while also reaping

A new discussion paper from The Australia Institute has outlined how Australia could emerge from the COVID-19 crisis as one of the richest countries in the world while gaining long-lasting benefits from economic stimulus projects and a renewed faith in the effectiveness of democratic governance. “The response to COVID-19 will cost hundreds of billions of

Research published today by The Australia Institute shows strong support for government support for the arts and entertainment sector in the Eden-Monaro electorate, which will have a by-election on 4 July. Key findings: Almost 1,000 people work in arts and entertainment in Eden-Monaro, the highest of any regional NSW electorate. 58% of Eden-Monaro voters support

While the coronavirus pandemic has reduced energy consumption in sectors such as transport and aviation, new research shows that in Victoria gas use during April was higher than in any of the preceding ten years, resulting in about 200 thousand tonnes more emissions. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National

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

New polling released today by The Australia Institute shows that Australians see natural disasters, economic collapse, climate change and chronic disease as the biggest threats to security. Between 49% and 42% of Australians nominated these issues as threats, twice as many as terrorism (23%) and five times as many as war (9%). This polling and

New research from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program has shown that an orderly approach to phasing-out thermal coal would shield Australian workers, communities and the economy from the negative consequences of an unmanaged transition. The study, written by John Quiggin, Professor of Economics at The University of Queensland, found that a managed transition

An open letter co-ordinated by the Australia Institute and signed by 29 prominent Australians calls for Parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech. Signatories to the open letter include former political party leaders and politicians, Dr John Hewson, Cheryl Kernot and Michael Beahan; former

The Australia Institute has been joined by energy and technology leaders in opposing proposed delays to energy market reforms, including the determination on ‘Five Minute Settlement’ (5MS). The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is currently considering whether to delay the implementation of this important market modernisation measure by 12 months, from July 2021 to July

The Australia Institute, Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Total Environment Centre today welcomed a ‘demand response’ reform of Australia’s electricity market that will improve reliability and reduce prices for consumers. The groups also welcome the AEMC’s decision to maintain the early, 2021 implementation date for the rule which they had advocated for. The three organisations,

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

Incumbent energy generators and retailers are attempting to use the COVID-19 pandemic to delay essential market reforms that would improve reliability, reduce emissions and put downward pressure on prices for Australian energy consumers, The Australia Institute has said. New research from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that, instead of delaying energy market

National Covid-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) Chief Executive Officer Peter Harris appeared to push back or was unable to answer Senate Select Committee questions regarding the appointments, actions and conflicts of interest of NCCC Commissioners and ‘special advisers’. Key points from the hearing: NCCC CEO Peter Harris admitted the Commission process is “opaque” and stated “I’m

The Australia Institute has called for close scrutiny of the Prime Minister’s gas-industry linked National COVID-19 Coordination Commission. It follows news that Nev Power, handpicked Chair of NCCC, is not scheduled to appear for questioning by Senators at the oversight committee hearing on Wednesday. Senators’ questions will go instead to a public servant. “There is

While the COVID-19 pandemic response has led to massively reduced emissions by the transport sector, new research shows the same cannot be said for the electricity sector—which has only seen a slight decrease in emissions over the past month—confirming the need for strong structural and legislative reforms to reduce emissions in the electricity sector. The

Research published today (Tuesday May 12) by The Australia Institute highlights the extent of taxpayer assistance to the onshore oil and gas industry in the Northern Territory.  NT Government budget papers reveal that over the last decade $94 million in subsidies and assistance measures have benefited the industry.  Key findings: The NT Fracking Inquiry recommended