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

Government is the most trusted source of information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the institution most trusted to lead the world out of the current economic crisis, new research from The Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program has revealed. The Australia Institute conducted surveys of over 1,000 people each in Australia, New Zealand,

The Australia Institute has released a new report looking at how key economic criteria can be used to assess the effectiveness of future stimulus measures in Tasmania. The report has been sent to all Members of the Tasmanian Parliament, some members of the Premier’s recovery taskforce,  industry and community leaders and unions. “As stimulus money

Australia’s Former Ambassador to China, Stephen FitzGerald, is today launching two discussion papers from The Australia Institute’s International and Security Affairs Program, on China and Japan in the COVID-19 pandemic. The papers argue that much of the corona virus ‘blame game’, including the Australian Government’s call for an international independent inquiry into China’s actions, is

The Auditor General has been asked to investigate the Commonwealth Government’s Underwriting New Generation Investment Program (UNGI), which threatens to undermine investment in the essential power sector. New research by The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program reveals the Government’s flagship program to generate more electricity has no legal foundation, formal guidelines, assessment criteria, procurement

New research from the Australia Institute shows the majority (59%) of Australians want company tax for big business to remain the same or be increased. Only a minority (19%) of respondents thought tax rates should be decreased. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,020 Australians about whether the company tax rate for

New research from the Australia Institute shows that 45% of Australians say they will download and use the Government’s COVID-19 mobile app, while 28% say they will not used it and 27% unsure. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,011 Australians about whether they would use the government’s COVID-19 mobile app on

An overwhelming 75% of Australians support increased funding for the ABC to reflect its emergency broadcaster role, as new research by The Australia Institute shows the ABC continues to grow as the most trusted news source in Australia and the proposition of privatising the ABC is opposed by 59%. The Australia Institute surveyed nationally representative

Having spent $200 billion to stabilise the economy during the COVID-19 crisis, new research shows it is now time for the Federal Government to roll out structural supports—projects that are labour intensive, rely heavily on local supply chains and deliver lasting benefits. The Australia Institute has released a new report, detailing key economic criteria to

This year’s pandemic and climate crises mean that debate around national security needs a rethink, according to a discussion paper released today by The Australia Institute. The paper highlights that security in the 21st century is as much about defending the health, safety and prosperity of citizens from pandemics, disasters, pollution and supply shortages as it is about

93 Australian economists and policy experts have signed an open letter, coordinated by the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute, supporting a government wage subsidy to prevent mass unemployment during the coming economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

New research released today by the Australia Institute highlights the significant economic contribution of the creative arts in Australia and the threat that COVID-19 presents to the sector. The research also reveals that a majority of Australians (58%) support a $750 million federal relief package to support the live music sector which has been most

New research from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work reveals the consequences of freezing public service pay, both for public sector workers and for the broader economy.

Analysis by The Australia Institute shows that Victorian Government’s key report used to approve onshore gas mining appears to have underestimated the greenhouse gas emissions from new sites by up to 88%. The Victorian Gas Program Progress Report no.4 does not count emissions from the ultimate combustion of the gas, emissions from methane leakage or

New research from The Australia Institute has found that South Australians only support the creation of a hydrogen energy industry in the state if it uses renewable sources of energy. The research was undertaken between March 3rd and 6th 2020, following a summer of disastrous bushfires across Australia and the state. Key findings: –          Four

A prominent group of Tasmanian individuals and organisations have today called for the establishment of a multi-party parliamentary oversight committee to ensure adequate scrutiny of the COVID-19 response while the Tasmanian Parliament is not sitting. Such a body has already been established in New Zealand to help fill the accountability gap. Known as the Epidemic

The Australia Institute welcomes the establishment of a Senate Select Committee to provide parliamentary scrutiny of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 decisions. “It is a positive sign for our democracy to see MPs from all sides of politics championing such an oversight committee. What started as a call from a group of eminent retired judges to

New polling shows more than eight in ten Australians support extending the wage subsidy, known as the JobKeeper program, to all casual workers, regardless of how long they have worked at their place of employment.

New polling shows more than two in three Australians support Australia setting up a COVID19 response committee modelled on the New Zealand model. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,008 people between 3 and 6 April 2020. Key Findings: More than two in three Australians (68%) support Australia setting up a New

New research from The Australia Institute shows that Australia’s private health insurers are set to enjoy a windfall of between $3.5 billion and $5.5 billion over the next six months. “The takeover of private hospitals by Governments, social distancing and other policies to counter corona virus mean that far fewer services will be provided to

Commercial aviation emissions in Australia could drop by over half in 2020 as a result of the COVID19 pandemic, according to new research from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program. The global effort to rein in the impact of COVID19 has seen an unprecedented and indefinite grounding of commercial aviation fleets in countries across

A prominent group of former Australian judges who have been pursuing a federal anti-corruption watchdog have today called for the establishment of a bi-partisan parliamentary oversight committee to ensure adequate scrutiny of the COVID-19 response while the Federal Parliament is not sitting. Such a body has already been established in New Zealand to help fill

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