Media Releases
March 2024
Government approves Santos Barossa pipeline and sea dumping
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Department has approved a major part of Santos’ controversial Barossa gas export project, the Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project.
Increasing minimum wage would not drive inflation up: new report
A significant increase to the minimum wage, and accompanying increases to award rates, would not have a significant effect on inflation, according to new analysis by the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute.
Reforms needed to tackle greedy academic publishers
Hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money intended for research and education is being funnelled to giant international academic publishers each year, new research from the Australia Institute identifies.
Pledge results show widespread independent and crossbench support for an end to native forest logging
Fifty-seven independent and minor party candidates across all five electorates have signed Sophie Scamps MP’s Forest Pledge ahead of the Tasmanian election, setting the stage for the next parliament to end native forest logging in Tasmania.
More key independents pledge to end native forest logging
Independent candidates Craig Garland and Lara Alexander MP signed The Forest Pledge this Saturday, 16 March 2024, increasing pressure to end native forest logging in Tasmania.
Aged care wage rise decision crucial for elderly Australians
The Australia Institute says wage rises for aged care workers will improve the lives of elderly Australians after a crucial Fair Work Commission decision.
Albanese Government must properly safeguard the independence of new Administrative Review Tribunal
The Australia Institute will appear before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs today to present evidence on cronyism in appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and recommend improving the appointment process of its replacement, the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
Lines Drawn on Major Issues Facing the Tasmanian Electorate
Australia Institute polling research shows a majority of Tasmanian voters support action on integrity in politics, salmon farming, forestry, and housing affordability.
Most Coalition voters back right to disconnect
Two-thirds of Coalition voters back newly legislated protections for employees’ right to disconnect from emails and calls outside of work, new research from the Australia Institute shows.
Tasmanian voters expect hung parliament, but unsure who can get the job done
A majority of Tasmanians (58%) believe the upcoming state election is most likely to produce a minority government, but the electorate remains unsure about who is best placed to work with the crossbench, according to new research from the Australia Institute.
Labor’s integrity pledge should be a priority in first 100 days of government
The Australia Institute welcomes Labor’s election pledge to bring integrity, transparency and accountability to Tasmanian politics and urges them to commit to delivering legislation within the first three months of government.
His Excellency Anote Tong Visits Australia to Advocate for Fossil Fuel Free Pacific
His Excellency Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati, arrives in Australia on Saturday March 9 for a national speaking tour.
New ABC chair inherits a battered and bruised broadcaster. Here are some ways to fix it
The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program welcomes Kim Williams as the new chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and hopes that his appointment cements the independence of the ABC Board appointment process.
Aged care reforms fall short on quality, safety
Mandating sector-wide aged care training requirements would make elderly Australians safer while bolstering workforce stability, according to a new analysis by the Australia Institute.
Experts and community representatives slam major parties’ salmon policies
The major parties’ decision to continue to support the salmon industry ignores scientific evidence of environmental impacts, uses discredited jobs figures, and is out of step with voters, the Australia Institute warns.
Yanis Varoufakis Australian Speaking Tour – March 2024
Yanis Varoufakis, visionary economist and former Finance Minister of Greece, is touring Australia discussing ‘Technofeudalism’, his boldest and most far-reaching book yet, in which he argues that capitalism is dead and that a new economic era has begun.
February 2024
Tasmanian Logging Expansion an Environmental Tragedy
Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to expand native forest logging will drive threatened species closer to extinction and is out of step with voters, the Australia Institute warns.
Stage 3 Tax Changes to Become Law After Passing the Senate
The Senate has today passed the redesigned Stage 3 tax cuts, marking one of the most progressive Australian tax changes in decades.
Victoria Should Consider Proactive Disclosure to Unclog FOI System
Victoria should consider proactive disclosure to unclog its increasingly congested FOI system, according to the Australia Institute’s submission to the inquiry into the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Rex Patrick’s FOI Case Part of Broader Case for Urgent FOI Reform
Rex Patrick’s appeal regarding unreasonable delays in his freedom of information (FOI) reviews draws attention to Australia’s broken FOI system and the urgent need for reform and more resources, warns the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.
Dr Joelle Gergis Announced as Writer in Residence at the Australia Institute 2024
The Australia Institute is proud to announce Dr Joelle Gergis as its Writer in Residence for 2024.
Over 440,000 Additional Western Australians Set for Tax Cut After Stage 3 Changes
Analysis from the independent think tank Australia Institute shows that an additional 446,949 Western Australians will receive a tax cut under the Albanese Government’s redesigned Stage 3 plan, having been set to completely miss out under the Morrison-era approach.
Offshore gas must not bypass genuine consultation with traditional owners, local community
Legislation that will allow the government to relax the approval and assessment process for offshore oil and carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects is premature and risks bypassing traditional owners, local groups and tourism and fishing businesses, warns the Australia Institute.
“Just get it done”: New research shows Australians back tax on fossil fuel exports
New research released by the Australia Institute shows a majority of voters back measures to tax fossil fuel exports, as Rod Sims and Ross Garnaut use today’s National Press Club address to call for a fossil fuel tax.
Labor Ahead in Dunkley, Stage 3 Changes a Winner with Voters
Labor leads the Liberal Party 52% to 48% in the Dunkley two-party preferred vote ahead of the crucial March 2 byelection, according to new research from the Australia Institute.
Kooyong, Mackellar and Wentworth Voters Back Labor’s Stage 3 Changes
Voters across the independent seats of Kooyong, Mackellar and Wentworth are strongly supportive of the Albanese Government’s changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts, according to new research from the Australia Institute.
Fels’ Review Confirms Corporate Practices As Key Drivers of Inflation
The Australia Institute welcomes the report of the Inquiry Into Price Gouging and Unfair Pricing Practices, chaired by Prof Allan Fels, and delivered today to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Nationals Voters the Biggest Winners from Stage 3
The electorates slated to gain the most from changes to the State 3 cuts are those held by National Party MPs, according to a new analysis from the Australia Institute.
Federal Intervention Required to Call Out Salmon Industry’s Clearly Unacceptable Impacts on Maugean Skate
The Australia Institute Tasmania has provided the federal environment department with substantial new information and evidence of a substantial change in circumstances that should lead to a change to the 2012 decision that allowed large-scale fish farming in Macquarie Harbour.
Real-time disclosures should replace yearly political donation data dump
The Australia Institute is calling for real-time disclosures of political donations ahead of the Australian Electoral Commission’s annual release of political contributions data for 2022–23.
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