A review into the Federal Government’s Climate Solutions Fund has dismissed calls by coal lobbyists to water down provisions for high-polluting facilities, like coal-fired power stations, to access dedicated climate funding for upgrades. The facilities method review by the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) considered and dismissed removing the threat of criminal sanctions on coal executives who access

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

The Australia Institute welcomes the Victorian Parliament passing Government legislation giving the Minister for Energy the power to fast-track the building of transmission infrastructure necessary to ensure reliability of supply. “Last night the Victorian Parliament gave the Energy Minister the power to lead where COAG Energy Council is too slow and quickly upgrade Victoria’s electricity

As the Victorian Government announces it will allow over 100 gas wells on some of Victoria’s prime farmland, Australia Institute analysis of the Government’s own Victorian Gas Project Progress report finds the decision is based on misleading claims that exaggerate benefits, understate costs and ignore alternatives. The Government’s Victorian Gas Project Progress report reveals only

“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 technologies that deploy Artificial intelligence should be assessed for their social impact on citizens before they are allowed to be deployed, according to The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology. In its submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) discussion paper on human rights and technology, the Centre argues that a formal regulatory regime, rather

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

The NSW Upper House Planning and Environment Committee has recommended rejection of a NSW Government bill on coal mines and their downstream, or ‘scope 3’ greenhouse emissions. The Committee’s report finds that “considering downstream greenhouse gas emissions supports international agreements aimed at reducing emissions and combating climate change”, including the Paris Agreement ratified by Australia

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

The Australia Institute welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement to invest into the hydrogen industry. ‘Green’ hydrogen is produced by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen through a process of electrolysis. “Hydrogen has been touted as a renewable energy source, but that is only true if the energy used to create it in the first

New research from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program shows that the Australian Summer is getting longer and Winter is getting shorter, due to global warming. The Australia Institute analysis uses Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) data to track changes in daily temperatures that mark the beginning of each season over the sub-tropical and temperate

New Australia Institute analysis shows NT fracking emissions under the NT Government’s own Fracking Inquiry’s high production scenario would be worse than the emissions of Australia’s coal fleet across the National Energy Market (NEM) in 2030, and require more offsets each year than have ever been issued in Australia to date. Key findings: Government documents

“It is disappointing the Government intends to continue using unsuccessful technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage as a smokescreen for the expansion of high-polluting fossil fuel production in Australia,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director at the Australia Institute. “The Minister has claimed an indicator of the success of a technology is private

The hack of billions of photos from an Australian start-up, Clearview AI, which harvests photos from social media and bundles the information for law enforcement agencies, reinforces the need to place a moratorium on facial recognition technology. The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology is supporting the Australian Human Rights Commission’s proposal for a moratorium

New research shows there is no strong case for building more gas generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM), as the existing fleet of gas power stations are operating below capacity and planning by the Energy Market Operator shows gas generation is likely to decline in coming years. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program

Some of the Murray Darling Basin’s best managed waterways would be damaged by water infrastructure projects that benefit major corporate irrigators, according to a new report by water consultants Slattery & Johnson and think tank The Australia Institute. The Yanco Creek System, which links the Murrumbidgee and the Murray rivers, is declared a “jewel” of

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

The Australia Institute has welcomed reports that Norwegian oil giant Equinor is withdrawing from its plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight and has said that the Federal and South Australian governments should now move towards permanent protection and World Heritage listing for the Bight. Australia Institute research has previously shown that

“A net-zero target by 2050 provides Australian communities and businesses with long-term certainty and direction. The Australia Institute welcomes the announcement, which aligns with the targets of every Australian state and territory,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director at the Australia Institute. “More policy will of course be needed to work out how

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

The Australia Institute and National Integrity Committee has welcomed Independent MP Helen Haines’ Beechworth Principles as a positive step towards the legislation of a proper Federal Anti-Corruption watchdog with teeth. “After joining the crossbench’s strong call for a federal anti-corruption watchdog, it is encouraging to see Helen Haines backing those sentiments with action with the

New analysis from the Australia Institute reveals that while the Federal Government is considering taxpayer support for a new coal power station to be built in Queensland, there are currently no coal power plants under construction anywhere else in Australia or North America, and only one plant being built in the Western Europe. Key Findings: 

New research from The Australia Institute has revealed that Victoria’s ageing fleet of coal fired power stations are breaking down more often than power stations anywhere else in the National Energy Market (NEM), jeopardising energy security and pushing up prices. Covering a two-year period from December 2017-2019, the report from the institute’s Gas & Coal

The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology has called for an extension in the way computer games are classified, to capture design architecture that exposes children to addictive, gambling-based content in many common games. In a submission to the Department of Communications review into the classification system, the Centre for Responsible Technology argues that the

New research from The Australia Institute shows that the New South Wales Government’s attempts to force planners to ignore the carbon emissions of the state’s coal exports contradicts NSW climate policy, the Paris Agreement, corporate expectations and economic opportunities for growth. Key findings NSW coal emissions are bigger than direct emissions from France and the

An urgent, two year extension of funding for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is required to maintain its critical role in improving energy reliability and reducing costs as Australia transitions to low-carbon sources, The Australia Institute has said. The proposal to provide ARENA $230 million per year for 2022-23 and 2023-24 is outlined in a report and

New research by The Australia Institute finds that the Commonwealth’s ‘call-out’ of Army Reserves for bushfire relief served political rather than practical purposes, raising serious legal questions around the use of the military. The Prime Minister today announced the call-out of Army Reserves for bushfire relief would end on February 7, with some reservists ending their

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