Media Releases

February 2015

Can you eat the family home?

Both major parties are right to say pensioners can’t eat their homes – but only because the government won’t let them, argues The Australia Institute. The new Social Services Minister Scott Morrison is concerned about retirees who are cash poor but asset rich. Labor Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek raised similar concerns, saying: ‘You can’t eat

Solar boom ready to go with RET commitment

A new report identifies huge potential investment in solar power, not just wind, is dependent on a stable, strong large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET). The Large Scale Solar and the RET report also suggests that a 40% target would provide an earlier tipping point to trigger major solar investment. “Since coming to office, the Abbott

Corruption experts call to close “cavernous loophole” in lobbying register

Leading anti-corruption experts say that the lack of proper regulation of lobbying is a major corruption risk. They called on whoever forms government in Queensland to ensure that all lobbyists are included in the lobbying register, and for full disclosure of lobbying meetings.  Corruption fighting heavyweight, former ICAC Commissioner the Hon David Ipp AO QC,

January 2015

Accountability push ahead of Queensland poll

Twenty two prominent QLD legal and civil society organisations have taken out a full page add in today’s Courier Mail newspaper calling on all parties elected to the new parliament to their election commitment to honour their the principles of accountability and good governance put forward by The Honourable Tony Fitzgerald AC QC. The letter

NSW Gas Demand Could Halve Within a Decade: Report

A new report commissioned by The Australia Institute shows gas demand in NSW could halve within a decade and questions the need for a gas network in NSW. The report, “The Dash from Gas. Could demand in New South Wales fall to half?” by the University of Melbourne’s Energy Institute synthesises recent important research by

Mature Debate on GST should include Health and Education Exemptions

Research by The Australia Institute, including modelling commissioned from NATSEM has shown that ending the GST exemptions for private education and health, both of which overwhelmingly benefits higher income earners could net the Government up to $2.3 billion per year. There are a number of ways for the Government to increase revenue, such as winding

December 2014

Continuing mental healthcare critical for smooth reintegration after prison and less crime

New research finds that improved connections with health services for people leaving prison and their families is a critical first step in addressing mental distress and ensuring smooth reintegration into the community.  Unlocking Care, a new report from The Australia Institute, finds that the incidence of moderate and severe mental health issues increases after release

Majority of Australians favour solar and wind-powered future

New research from the Australia Institute finds that the health and environmental impacts of wind and solar technologies are far less detrimental than fossil fuels.  Two reports were released today, examining the impacts of, and broad public attitudes toward, wind power and solar energy. They find Australians are overwhelmingly more interested in a future fuelled

November 2014

Leyonhjelm’s plan for a State Government electricity tax

The latest plan to renege on the 41,000 GWh renewable energy target (RET) is even worse for consumers than the plans modelled by Dick Warburton’s recent inquiry, according to an analysis by The Australia Institute. A new proposal from NSW Senator David Leyonhjelm recommends existing hydro electricity generators built before the RET become eligible for

Work/life balance worsens under burden of unpaid overtime

Work/life balance worsens under burden of unpaid overtime Millions of Australian workers are losing the battle for better work/life balance due to excessive unpaid overtime and feel they have little control over how to change the situation, new research by The Australia Institute reveals. Released to coincide with today’s national Go Home on Time Day, Walking the

October 2014

Countdown to Go Home on Time Day begins!

On any given day, 2.8 million Australians have little certainty around what time they will finish work.  That’s the equivalent of one in four workers regularly having to juggle their other commitments such as child care, social activities or important appointments, because of the unpredictability of their job. Go Home on Time Day, an initiative

September 2014

Economists’ Statement on Commonwealth Budgetary and Economic Priorities

The austere measures contained in the proposed Commonwealth budget have been justified by fears that Australia’s public debt is expanding rapidly and dangerously, and must be arrested through a dramatic change in fiscal policy. These fears are misplaced. Australia does not face any present or imminent debt crisis. Australia’s deficit and accumulated debt are both

MR: Australia Institute calls on the Minerals Council members to come clean and apologise

The Australian Institute says the Minerals Council members – the large, mostly foreign-owned, mining companies – should explain the attacks on The Australia Institute. The Minerals Council has claimed that The Australia Institute is being directed by a political party. This is untrue and defamatory. The Minerals Council should immediately desist from making such claims

July 2014

What to make of Palmer’s gambit – A message from Ben Oquist

Last week was another big week for The Australia Institute. You might have seen that we launched another major research report, Mining the Age of Entitlement, this time on the $17.6 billion worth of  taxpayer support that State governments have given the mining industry. You might have seen Ben Oquist’s name mentioned in relation to

June 2014

Age of entitlement lives on: Report exposes billions in government handouts to mining

Age of entitlement lives on: Report exposes billions in government handouts to mining State governments are providing billions of dollars in subsidies to the minerals and fossil fuel industries, a new report by The Australia Institute (TAI) has revealed. The report exposes the massive scale of state government assistance, totalling $17.6 billion over a six-year

May 2014

MR Auditing the auditors: The People’s Commission of Audit

National Party constituents will be amongst the hardest hit if the federal government adopts recommendations by the Shepherd Commission of Audit, a new analysis by The Australia Institute has found. While the Commission of Audit suggests that people are visiting the doctor too often, it does not take account of regional circumstances. Despite evidence that

April 2014

March 2014

MR: TAI Coal Submission Censored

The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has censored parts of The Australia Institute’s submission on the Terminal 4 coal project. The Institute’s submission focuses on the economic assessment of the project and highlights a number of flaws in the economic modelling. Almost a page of text showing the relationship between an “independent” reviewer of

MR: Fossil fuel stocks increase risk, not returns

Investments in coal, oil, and gas increase financial risk without increasing returns, according to the new report Climate proofing your investments: Moving funds out of fossil fuels published by The Australia Institute. To meet the internationally-agreed two degree global warming limit, fossil fuel businesses must leave in the ground two-thirds of the reserves currently on

General Enquiries

Emily Bird Office Manager

02 6130 0530

mail@australiainstitute.org.au

Media Enquiries

Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor

0457 974 636

glenn.connley@australiainstitute.org.au

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