A bigger surplus this year and a bit bigger deficit next year! Does it matter?

Inflation will remain higher for longer, but a recession is not the solution, says Greg Jericho.

If Australia is to use and produce more fossil fuels than we are now, the rest of our climate policy amounts to tinkering at the edges, writes Rod Campbell.

New research from the Australia Institute has found that state and federal governments provided $14.5 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel producers and major consumers in 2023-24 – the equivalent of $27,581 for every minute of every day, or $540 for every person in Australia.

“Mandatory and coordinated accreditation would allow workers to have their skills recognised, boost job satisfaction and make the industry more attractive as a long-term career.

“The Aged Care Royal Commission has been crystal clear about the need for these reforms. It’s beyond time to deliver them.”

Calling for a ‘short recession’ as an economist is like calling for a ‘small war’ knowing you’ll never be on the frontlines, says Greg Jericho.

It seems that some people really want a recession.

Millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, yet when it comes to the federal budget, too often we hear that governments ‘can’t afford’ additional spending.

It is often said that the only way to reduce inflation is by higher interest rates. That’s not true – the government can also reduce inflation and cost of living pressures

Spreading fear about inflation not falling fast enough distorts the true picture

New Australia Institute research released today shows that royalty payments by the gas industry are negligible and expected to contribute just 1.3% to this week’s WA budget.

The government has the power to make significant and long-awaited improvements to the JobSeeker scheme in this federal budget, but it has to make it a priority, says Greg Jericho.

Budgets are about choices – and successive governments have chosen to punish jobseekers, says Greg Jericho.

If the government decided to make raising Jobseeker a priority in the Budget it would not talk about not being able to afford it, writes Greg Jericho.

New Australia Institute research reveals claims Australia is over-reliant on income tax are significantly overstated and founded on a narrow and misrepresentative definition of income tax.

Annual inflation is on the way down, but rents remain high and many people’s higher education loans are growing, even after repayments, says Greg Jericho.

New research shows that the country’s energy security can be supported with minimal intervention and investment, simply by changing the time of day that electricity is used and harnessing the power of buildings as thermal batteries.

Last week Anthony Albanese finally announced the government’s major plan for the transition to a renewable energy economy.

More than 100 environment groups have signed an open letter calling for strong environmental law reforms as the Federal Government backs out of its already overdue ‘Nature Positive Plan’ to reform the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The open letter, coordinated by the Australia Institute, will appear in the Sydney Morning Herald, The

Private schools are competing to see who can boast the most luxurious accoutrements, and the tax-deductions they can claim on constructing buildings are helping them do it. The Scots College is awaiting construction of its new library, which will resemble a Scottish Baronial castle. At one point, they had a hypoxic chamber for altitude simulation sports training. Newington College

New research by The Australia Institute finds the threat posed by fire ants has been significantly understated, identifying a compelling economic case for their eradication.

The Australia Institute is recommending that private schools have stricter reporting requirements, greater transparency in funding arrangements, and increased accountability when spending public money, in a submission to the NSW Government’s review into Section 83C of the Education Act.