Australia could introduce a paid parental leave scheme that pays for itself, creates nearly 9,000 new jobs and boosts the economy. The flow-on effect of paid parental leave on women’s participation in the labour market is likely to generate additional GDP of at least $2.5 billion and additional Government revenue of $625 million. This means

An analysis of new Australian Bureau of Statistics data by The Australia Institute reveals that in September 2008 there were 780,900 people who did not have a job, wanted to work but were not included in the unemployment figures. Taking account of these ‘hidden unemployed’ brings Australia’s real rate of unemployment to 11.7 per cent,

The number of Australians out of a job is significantly more than widely reported. An analysis of new Australian Bureau of Statistics data by The Australia Institute reveals that in September 2008 there were 780,900 people who did not have a job, wanted to work but were not included in the unemployment figures. Taking account

The announcement of a $42 billion stimulus package, which provides thousands of dollars to families earning up to $200,000 and almost nothing to the long-term unemployed, is evidence that the Rudd Government like the Howard Government before it is distinguishing between ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ recipients of government assistance.

The new solar rebate announced by Peter Garrett will not reduce Australia’s emissions by one kilogram below the five per cent emissions target announced in the White Paper because, under the CPRS, the unfortunate reality is that every time households reduce their energy use or install solar panels, all they will be doing is freeing

The Choice of Fund Policy has failed to resolve widespread consumer disengagement with superannuation. As few as four per cent of workers switch super funds each year and around half of this is ‘passive’ choice due to job change or fund closure. Choice of Fund has also been largely unsuccessful in lowering the number of

The proposed CPRS announced by the Prime Minister is one of the most generous industry assistance packages in Australian history and should be known as the Carbon Polluter Rescue Scheme. What began as a scheme designed to make polluters pay has evolved into a scheme in which the polluters get paid billions of dollars.

The value of time wasted on unsolicited telemarketing calls in Australia amounts to $1.58 billion annually. Two in three Australians believe that telemarketing should be banned altogether.

The introduction of an Australian emissions trading scheme in 2010 makes it pointless for households to reduce their energy use.

The Rudd Government hopes to incorporate agriculture into its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) in 2015 but this initiative is unlikely to be successful.

The Treasury modelling of the economic cost of tackling climate change shows that, despite all the scaremongering by some industries, the economic costs associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions are trivially small.

High-income earners in Australia have enjoyed significant growth in their incomes over the past decade but the tax system has not kept pace.

Calls for the introduction of accelerated depreciation provisions for investment in clean energy. Because the price of this equipment is likely to fall sharply in the coming years, firms which invest today will experience ‘first mover disadvantage’.

The electricity industry generates around 45 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions so it is surprising to see so little R&D in this industry. The electricity industry should be at the forefront of exploring lower emissions and renewable technologies, but the figures suggest the industry is not serious about doing so.

Calls for the introduction of accelerated depreciation provisions for investment in clean energy. Because the price of this equipment is likely to fall sharply in the coming years, firms which invest today will experience ‘first mover disadvantage’.

While 56 per cent of Australians living in households with incomes of less than $40,000 per cent per year were willing to pay higher taxes to fund an increase in the aged pension, only 34 per cent of those with household incomes above $150,000 agreed.

Highlights how the Australian Government has increasingly been making judgments about the character of individuals in migration and other areas over the last decade.

Discusses the extent of the profits banks will generate by not passing on the full cut in official interest rates to their customers.

Australian banks should pass on the full cut in the interest rate to their customers. The Reserve Bank is trying to stimulate the economy, not the profits of Australia’s big banks.