September 2023
Victoria’s Electoral Laws Need Truth in Advertising and Fair Rules for New Entrants
Victoria should adopt truth in political advertising and address the unfairness created by its donation cap and public funding model.
Weak WA Climate Bill a Blow to National Emissions Target
Details about the WA Government’s proposed climate change bill demonstrate that it is an inadequate and inappropriate response to the state’s rising energy emissions, and deal a major blow to the Federal Government’s 43% emissions target. Key points: Despite the urgency of climate action, the proposed bill fails to require the WA Government to set
The Australia-US Alliance has Long Gone Unchallenged. The Delegation to Free Julian Assange Changes That
The Australian politicians pushing for Assange’s release represents a rare crack in the wall of bipartisan support for the sacrosanct alliance.
Majority of Australians support fossil fuel industry paying for the costs of climate change
A significant majority of Australians (at least 75%) are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis on food supply, agriculture and insurance premiums, and support policies that would force fossil fuel companies to pay for the damage they are causing, according to the Australia Institute’s 2023 Climate of the Nation report.
Consulting firms a corrosive and conflicted influence on NSW Government
New research from The Australia Institute reveals the corrosive and conflicted influence of consulting firms on NSW Government processes.
Dead in the Water
A new deal to save the Murray-Darling basin has been brokered by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, following another mass fish kill, and a survey finding not a single adult Murray Cod in the Lower Darling-Bakka. This was recorded on Tuesday 5th September 2023 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute //
August 2023
Another Democracy Agenda reform ticked off
Last week, Education Minister Jason Clare announced that he was going to remove political interference from the Australian Research Council grants process (except for national security concerns). It is a victory for academic freedom, and a testament to the work of Senator Mehreen Faruqi – who proposed the Ensuring Research Independence Bill back in 2018.
South Australia Proves Australia’s Freedom of Information System can be Fixed
The Australia Institute will attend a Senate Inquiry today to highlight flaws in Australia’s broken freedom of information (FOI) system and argue for much-needed reforms modelled on South Australia’s approach.
3 in 5 Aussies back adapting policy over election promises
Research from the Australia Institute shows that a majority of Australians support governments changing economic policy to suit the current circumstances, even if that means breaking an election promise.
Polling: Kooyong Voters Want Greater Action on Climate and Corruption
Research conducted by the Australia Institute has found the desire for action on climate change and corruption in politics remains high in the federal electorate of Kooyong.
New political donations laws will help level the playing field and afford fairer elections to all Tasmanians
In June, a joint Parliamentary Committee published recommendations that would significantly reform Australian electoral law.
Voters Back Donations Ban for Government Contractors
Research released today by the Australia Institute shows overwhelming national support for a ban on political donations from any organisation that receives funding from government contracts
Restoring Trust Bill a Step Towards Fair Political Finance Reform
The Australia Institute welcomes independent MP for Curtin Kate Chaney’s Electoral Legislation Amendment (Restoring Trust) Bill, a private member’s bill that would implement key electoral reforms.
Overwhelming voter support for rent caps and increased housing spend
Research released today by the Australia Institute shows overwhelming national support for rent caps and direct federal government spending on affordable housing.
Ending the ‘Jobs for Mates’ Culture with Dr Sophie Scamps [Webinar]
Restoring trust and integrity in Australia’s democracy was a key issue in 2022 federal election. In March, independent MP Dr Sophie Scamps introduced a new bill designed to end the ‘jobs for mates’ culture in federal politics. The bill seeks to legislate a transparent and independent process for major government public appointments, setting a gold
The Voice to Parliament would enhance Australian governance
An Open Letter to the Australian Public
An Invitation That Should be Accepted – Leading Judges Support the Voice in Open Letter
An eminent group of retired judges have published an open letter to the people of Australia in support of a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on the Voice.
July 2023
Leading Civil Society Organisations Publish Open Letter Calling for Long Overdue Political Finance Reforms
Australia’s leading civil society organisations have today published a full-page ad in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review and Canberra Times newspapers, calling for long overdue political finance reforms to make politics fairer and more transparent.
Australians Identify Corporate Profits – Not Wages – as Major Driver of Inflation
Research conducted by the Australia Institute reveals Australians understand that the current rise in inflation has not been driven by wages growth, contrary to the single-minded focus of the Reserve Bank on labour costs over the past two years. The Australia Institute surveyed Australians about their views on the causes of, and solutions to, inflation,
Test of Success: Bullock’s Next Steps to Forge New RBA Era
The Australia Institute has identified five key questions incoming Governor of the Reserve Bank, Michele Bullock must answer – questions that will ultimately measure her success in the role.
More work needed despite launching of National Anti-Corruption Commission
Australia may finally have a national anti-corruption watchdog, but we still have a long way to go to reach genuine accountability and transparency in our system of government.
Why it’s hard to beat sitting MPs in elections
Sitting parliamentarians rarely lose elections. While incumbents have a publicly funded head-start, challengers rely on donations to fund their election campaigns, which is why political donation reform needs to ensure everyone should be able to afford a ticket to run in an election. This was recorded on Friday 23rd June 2023 and things may have
June 2023
ABC redundancies could harm the public’s trust in the reliable broadcaster
The latest redundancies at the ABC are a cruel blow to public interest journalism and its role in holding the powerful to account.
Nordic Talks: The Value of a Free Press [Webinar]
Norway is number one the World Press Freedom Index, while Australia dropped 14 places in 2022 due in part to its highly concentrated media landscape. This webinar, the second of our special Nordic Talks webinar series, will explore how Norway’s targeted ‘press support’ subsidies could help Australia to achieve greater diversity in its highly concentrated
Four-in-five want PwC banned from new government contracts
Four-in-five Australians (79%) want consulting firm PwC banned from receiving new government work, including nearly half who back a permanent ban, according to new research from the Australia Institute. Just 2% did not think PwC should be banned from government work, while 19% did not know or were not sure, according to the nationally representative
Truth in political ads, election reform welcome, but devil is in the detail
The Australia Institute welcomes the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ interim report for its inquiry into the conduct of the 2022 election, in which Australia Institute research and recommendations are cited often. The committee recommends: A lower donation disclosure threshold ($1,000, down from over $15,000) and real-time disclosure of donations. Caps on political donations
In Australian politics, the advantage of incumbency is worth millions
While campaign finance reform can, if done well, reduce the role of money in elections, poorly-designed changes to campaign finance rules risk providing yet more power to incumbents.
Incumbent MPs, senators reap millions in election advantages
Campaign finance reforms risk hurting democracy by entrenching massive financial advantages enjoyed by sitting MPs and senators unless the right balance is struck, think tank The Australia Institute warns. New research finds that MPs are entitled to nearly $3 million, and senators more than $2.6 million, in pay, resources and perks over a three-year election
May 2023
Ending Nazi Symbols: Let’s Get It Right
Australia needs legislation outlawing the public display of Nazi symbols in the service of white supremacist ideology, but it is critical that we get the free speech balance right.
Conflict of Interest Concerns Spread to Climate Authority after PwC Scandal
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy has been urged to review potential conflicts of interests at Australia’s key climate change agency in light of the integrity scandal at PwC and the consulting services sector.
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