The Australia Institute welcomes the ALP Campaign Review recommendation for “truth in political advertising legislation based on the South Australian model be investigated and pursued in the Australian Parliament” (pp 64). In the Australia Institute’s submission to JSCEM highlighted the South Australian model as a demonstration of how Truth in Political Advertising legislation currently works in other jurisdictions, and noted

The fight to protect NSW climate laws has stepped up, with experts launching a statewide television commercial today to send Premier Gladys Berejikilian a clear message – don’t put coal over climate. Under unprecedented pressure from the coal industry, the Berejiklian Government is moving to amend the NSW laws that require the full climate change

New research shows that an increase in diesel combustion emissions during FY11 to FY18 almost completely cancels out the decrease in emissions from electricity generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the same period. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over

A Ucomms poll commissioned by the Australia Institute of 1,136 residents across Tasmania on the evening of 22nd October, found almost two thirds of Tasmanians want to see takayna/Tarkine protected rather than logged. Despite state government plans to log old growth and rainforest in takanya/Tarkine, support for preserving the forests in a national park remains

47 scientists and experts have signed an open letter urging the NSW Government not to overrule NSW laws that require climate change impacts to be considered in the assessment of new coal mines. The NSW Government is reportedly set to legislate restrictions on its own Independent Planning Commission preventing it from considering downstream greenhouse gas

New research shows active strategies to directly link university degrees to a job are needed, to better support university graduates as they negotiate a rapidly changing labour market. The report, by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work, shows that employment outcomes for university graduates have deteriorated significantly since the Global Financial Crisis, with only

The claim that Australia ranks first globally per capita on renewable energy investment is both misleading and incorrect, according to new research from the Australia Institute. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister Morrison claimed Australia has the highest per capita investment in clean energy in the world. This claim was

New research has revealed that financial services in Australia will not insure against nuclear accidents, and if developers of nuclear power stations were forced to insure against nuclear accidents, nuclear power would be completely uneconomic. The Australia Institute’s submission to the Inquiry into the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia, shows that establishing a nuclear

The state government’s bid to allow multi-year contracts for reserve power in Victoria would help improve reliability, lower the cost of electricity and encourage innovation in demand response. “Longer-term contracts give the right price signal to large industrial users such as gas producers, smelters, cement pulp and paper to offer demand response and other types

The Australia Institute’s submission to the Senate inquiry into the adequacy of Newstart has shown that, currently, the unemployment benefit is neither sufficient nor transitional, as the Government claims. The single rate of Newstart would need to be increased by more than $180 a week to reach the Henderson poverty line and the average length

Several market and physical challenges exist for a new proposed coal development in Tasmania’s southern midlands, according to a new briefing paper released by the Australia Institute Tasmania today. The company seeking to develop the project, Midland Energy, is looking to raise capital in the U.S.A. where it is claiming coal demand is “rampant” in Asia

Research released by The Australia Institute today contradicts claims by federal and state government ministers that new dams are not being built in Australia. The report, Dam shame: The hidden new dams in Australia, shows that 20 to 30 large new dams have been recently constructed, funded at least in part by the taxpayer. At least

The Australia Institute’s submission to the State Government’s review of the draft Land Tax (Miscellaneous) Amendments Bill 2019 supports the idea of aggregating land portfolios for taxation purposes but raises concerns about the lost revenue that will result from deep cuts to the state’s top rate of land tax. “The proposed changes to land tax

New research shows Australia is not on track to meet the aims of the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), warning that poor energy productivity is a major cause of both rising emissions and energy costs. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over

Monetary policy in Australia is no longer effective and the task of stimulating the economy should be taken up by a more active fiscal policy, shows new research by The Australia Institute. The report, Monetary Policy is Spent: It’s Fiscal Policy or Bust by David Richardson senior research fellow at The Australia Institute, shows that

Research released today by The Australia Institute shows that preparations have not begun on parts of the Adani royalty deal, which is due for completion on Monday 30 September. Key findings The Adani royalty deal allows Adani to defer royalty payments and pay them back at discount interest rates. Estimates for the value royalty-related subsidies to Adani range from

The Australia Institute has found that the Federal Government’s gas policy actually keeps prices high for Australian consumers and recommends a cap on LNG exports in its submission to the review of the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM). The submission finds that the Government’s export gas trigger entrenches high gas prices by allowing LNG

New research from The Australia Institute has shown that more than half (51%) of South Australians want Adelaide to host a fully electric Formula E Championship race, while just 11% of people oppose the idea. Formula E is an electric motor sport series, similar to Formula 1, which has grown in popularity since its inaugural

The Australian Capital Territory is set to become the first major jurisdiction outside Europe to transition from a fossil fuel-based supply to 100% renewable electricity, according to a new report released to by the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program. The new research finds that on 1 October 2019, an energy offtake agreement with Hornsdale

Eight in ten Australians (81%) are now concerned about climate change resulting in more droughts and flooding according to a new benchmark report released today by the Australia Institute. The annual Climate of the Nation benchmark report has tracked Australian attitudes on climate change for over a decade. This is the second Climate of the

New research shows seven in ten Australians (72%) think that, if Australia is at risk of a recession, the Government should prioritise economic stimulus over the budget surplus. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,464 Australians about their economic priorities. Key Findings: 72% of Australians say that, if Australia is at risk

New research released today by The Australia Institute shows that the vast majority of Australians prioritise production of food for Australian consumption, and support for family farms in the Murray Darling Basin. When respondents were asked to rank agriculture and water policy goals: Top water policy priorities for the Murray-Darling Basin include: Three quarters of

New research shows South Australia’s success in managing the electricity grid while simultaneously bringing a large volume of renewables into the energy mix, has positioned the state as a world leader in managing renewables transitions The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over

New research presented in Sydney today looks at how Nordic countries have a long history of placing emphasis on policies providing both mothers and fathers with the opportunity to work and care. Visiting Icelandic academic Ásdís Aðalbjörg Arnalds is in Sydney today to present her new research on Icelandic paid parental leave – and in

New research from The Australia Institute has shown that more than 27,000 jobs in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania would be put at risk if drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight is allowed to go ahead and a catastrophic spill occurs. New polling has also revealed that a majority of Australians, while hopeful

The AEMO Energy Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) released today confirms Australia Institute Gas & Coal Watch analysis that shows that Victoria’s dependence on brown coal and gas is a serious risk to the state’s energy supply this summer. Key points from AEMO Energy Statement of Opportunities: Based on operational experience, AEMO’s modelling assumed There is

The climate impact of Australia’s fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas) exports ranks behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia exports in terms of global emissions, according to a major new report from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program. The new research also finds that in absolute terms Australia is the world’s fifth largest miner of

New research from The Australia Institute shows that the vast majority of Australians (84%) support the introduction of rigorous truth in political advertising laws, which could force untruthful claims to be removed or retracted during election campaigns or see political parties that breach the law hit with fines or reductions in their public funding. That

“More than any other state, Tasmanians live in and on the edges of the bush,” said Leanne Minshull, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania. “As the severity of fires increase, so does the impact on our homes, our communities and our economy, we need to look at this problem holistically to have any chance of

“The Business Council of Australia proposal for an Investment Allowance deserves support,” said Ben Oquist, Executive Director of the Australia Institute. “Given the weakness of the Australian economy, with interest rates heading towards zero and monetary policy effectively being exhausted, other measures to stimulate the economy deserve support. “The BCA proposal should be supported at