New research from The Australia Institute shows that, while treasurer, Scott Morrison rushed a $260 million deal with the Northern Territory Government through in a matter of days, at exactly the same time that the NT announced it would overturn its moratorium on fracking. The report shows that even under FOI the Government has blocked

The Government program to underwrite new generation investments presents a number of risks that could jeopardise rather than improve the reliability and affordability of electricity, with the key question around whether the Government even has the authority to do so. In a submission to the Department of Energy, The Australia Institute has questioned why the

New analysis from The Australia Institute has shown that the different designs of various anti-corruption bodies at a State level yield significantly different results and has reinforced the need for a proposed Federal body to have adequate resourcing and powers. A panel of former judges that make up The Australia Institute’s National Integrity Committee have

Looking purely at the number of people who use negative gearing in South Australian electorates, rather than who makes the most money from the scheme, is an intentionally misleading way to analyse the impacts of potential changes to the policy, an independent think tank has said. “New research from The Australia Institute has shown that

New analysis from The Australia Institute shows that the biggest winners of negative gearing are high income earners and Liberal Party held electorates, meanwhile it presents a double-hit for under 40s who are the biggest losers. Key results: Those aged over 40 years old receive 71% of the benefit of negative gearing, while those 40

The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit for the electricity sector (The Audit*) covering September 2018. The Audit shows that Australia’s emissions continue to increase, being driven by growing LNG exports, greater diesel use in transport and increases in agriculture and waste emissions Key findings: LNG exports

A potent tool for cleaning up misconduct in the industry is being overlooked by the Royal Commission into financial services.

Dramatic increases in extreme heat days, combined with high humidity and the urban heat island effect present an increasing threat to the health and wellbeing of Gold Coast residents. The Australia Institute’s new HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days (over 35C) experienced on the Gold Coast could

Systematic mismanagement, cover up and maladministration has undermined the proper implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, a Senior Water Researcher at The Australia Institute says. Richard Beasley, Senior Counsel to the Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission, delivered the final submission to the Royal Commission today, which summarized the evidence provided throughout the hearings. “Mr Beasley’s

Offsetting fracking emissions identified by the Northern Territory Fracking Inquiry would reach $4.3 billion in costs per year if fracking in the NT is at full production by 2030 and $53 billion over the decade from 2030-40, finds new research from the Australia Institute. The new analysis released today uses Australian Government modelling of the

Households, businesses, power generators, and public infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast are under increased threat caused by a continuing increase in extreme heat temperatures, finds new research from The Australia Institute. The Australia Institute’s new HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days (over 35C) experienced on the Sunshine

The number of days over 40 degrees could increase almost tenfold in the Roma region by 2050 in the absence of strong policy response to climate change, according to new research from The Australia Institute. The analysis is based on Bureau of Meteorology data and CSIRO climate projections. The Australia Institute’s HeatWatch initiative shows that

The Australia Institute’s exit poll results show the Liberal primary vote collapsed primarily as a result of community concern about inaction on climate change and government support for coal. Key results: Climate change and replacing coal with renewable energy was the biggest single issue motivating voters in Wentworth: 77% of voters said it influenced their

UPDATED The interim results of an exit poll* of 1049 respondents in Wentworth, commissioned by the Australia Institute and undertaken by Lonergan Research, shows the Liberal primary vote collapsed primarily as a result of the community’s concern about the government’s support for coal and inaction on climate change.  “Prime Minister Scott Morrison once brought a

Prominent economists and public service experts will gather in Parliament House for a The Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit on Wednesday 17 October. This initiative of The Australia Institute will see some of Australia’s leading experts discuss new ways Australia could efficiently and equitably increase public revenue to strengthen both our public finances and our future

A television commercial will begin airing on commercial television tomorrow, putting further pressure on the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and its members regarding the BCA’s false emissions reduction claims. The commercial features research from The Australia Institute exposing the BCA’s false claim that a 45% emissions reduction target would be ‘economy wrecking’ and highlights

The repeated nature of the use of the Opera House sails to project night-time images that are potentially inconsistent with the design of the building or its values requires the matter to be referred to the Federal Environment Department under s68 of the EPBC Act, according to analysis by The Australia Institute. The Australia Institute

The Australia Institute’s National Integrity Committee of retired judges and corruption fighters today welcomed Dr Kerryn Phelps announcement of her support for a National Integrity Commission. The National Integrity Committee published a design blueprint for a National Integrity Commission, which includes a broad jurisdiction and strong investigative powers, including public hearings. Former Victorian Court of

Community interests in the Lower Darling are being sacrificed for the profits of big corporations, according to new research by The Australia Institute. The report, Trickle Out Effect, shows the $13 billion dollar Murray Darling Basin Plan is facilitating the flow of money to powerful agribusiness at the expense of local communities, native title holders,graziers, downstream

The process for ABC Board appointments, including the appointment of the Chair, needs reform in order to depoliticise future appointments and protect the ABC’s independence. The Australia Institute has put forward five recommendations on how the appointment of the new Chair of the ABC Board and future Board appointments could be reformed. The report recommends

The Australia Institute’s National Integrity Committee of former judges and corruption fighters is today meeting in Sydney to launch their Implementation Plan for a National Integrity Commission.  In the lead up to the Wentworth byelection, the committee has written to candidates calling for support from all parties of its plan to establish a federal corruption

A television commercial will begin airing nationally from 1 October, which features research from The Australia Institute exposing the Business Council of Australia’s (BCA) false claim that a 45% emissions reduction target would be ‘economy wrecking’. Building on research that shows no evidence to back the BCA’s ‘economy wrecking’ claim, the advertisement identifies that Australia’s electricity

The Government is way off the mark and off-message when it comes to meeting the Paris target, new analysis from The Australia Institute shows. The new report debunks the government’s claims that Australia will meet the Paris target ‘in a canter’, demonstrating total emissions have been increasing since 2014 and without major policy measures or

A majority of Australians believe the Royal Commission into Banks and Financial Services has uncovered more wrong doing (70%) and is most important for Australians (65%) compared to the Royal Commission into Trade Unions, according to new polling from The Australia Institute.  Meanwhile, almost a third of Australians (31%) believe the Royal Commission into Trade

New Australia Institute research shows that extremely hot days (over 35 degrees) could triple in Gladstone by 2070. The number of extreme heat days in Gladstone has already increased from 2.6 days per year in the 1960s to 6.5 days per year this century. This increase has now exceeded extreme heat projections for the year

The number of days over 35 degrees has nearly doubled in Rockhampton over recent years, and is forecast to triple again in the absence of strong policy response to climate change, according to new research from The Australia Institute. The Australia Institute’s Heat Watch initiative shows Rockhampton is expected to endure 29 days over 35

The Australia Institute commissioned ReachTEL to poll the federal seat of Hume (690 respondents) on the evening of 10 September. Key Findings: Liberal primary vote crashes to 39.7% (down from 53.83 at 2016 federal election) 47.8% think the National Energy Guarantee should include an emissions reduction target (39.3% No) 63.7% support a moratorium on building

Over 50 scientists and experts, including former Australian of the Year Professor Fiona Stanley AC, Carmen Lawrence, former Premier of WA, Professor Peter Newman AO, WA’s 2018 Scientist of the Year, and Ian Dunlop, former Chairman of the Australian Coal Association and Shell executive, are urging the Western Australian Government to permanently ban fracking in

The Australia Institute’s Climate and Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit electricity update (The Audit*) for September 2018. The Audit shows the new surge of renewable generation coming online are the only thing currently helping reduce energy prices – with renewables now making up a record breaking 19.7% of the National

The number of Australians concerned about climate change has reached a five-year high, increasing to 73% (up from 66% in 2017) according to a new benchmark report released today. The annual Climate of the Nation report has tracked Australian attitudes on climate change for over a decade. This is the first Climate of the Nation