Australia’s recorded music industry is making more money, but less of it is staying in Australia. Fewer new artists are achieving lasting success because, on streaming services, they must compete on an uneven playing field with international and established acts. This paper suggests two ways that new artists could be better supported: by supporting local

There are currently no disclosure standards for Australian companies’ charitable spending. This means claims of corporate giving are hard to verify and frequently dubious. Clear and consistent disclosure standards would help investors, consumers, and the public make more informed decisions.

The Australia Institute’s research recommends greater parliamentary oversight of the use of consultants in Australia’s public service, including using orders for documents to require consultants’ reports to be produced. This bill, which would establish a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Consultancy and Services Contracts, is a welcome step forward. The proposed committee would consider and report

The Australia Institute analysed the accounts of the University of Newcastle. It found that despite claims of a $16.3 million deficit, the audited accounts show a $61.3 million surplus, and net assets worth more than $1.8 billion at the end of 2024, up $150 million from the previous year. The university’s Vice-Chancellor dismissed the conclusion

YouGov conducted a survey of 1541 Australian voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between from 2nd Oct to 9th Oct 2025, using an online polling methodology. Full details are provided in the methodology statement. The poll is compliant with the Australian Polling Council’s requirements.

The Australia Institute sought and received correspondence between The Australian government and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, under Freedom of Information. These documents relate to the impact of commercial salmon farming on the endangered Maugean skate in the World Heritage Wilderness Area of Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania.

Australia is a thriving, inventive democracy, but measured reforms would strengthen and protect political institutions.

Adani sold coal for $100/t through a period that saw relevant coal prices reach $280/t, resulting in apparent royalty underpayments of almost $400 million. The Queensland Government’s decision to abandon its pursuit of these royalties may be linked to regulatory action around Adani’s Abbot Point coal terminal.

The Albanese government is lagging on transparency: Only 21% of 2023-24 FOI requests were granted in full compared to 81% in 2006-07. Whereas the average request once took 13 hours to determine (2006-07), it now takes 51 hours (2023-24). In other words, the Albanese government employs four public servants to do what only took one

Audited financial statements show that the ANU made a ‘profit’ of $90 million in 2024 and $136 million in 2023. Despite such strong financial results, ANU leadership justifies cuts to staffing and courses by pointing to ‘underlying operating deficits’. The underlying deficit changes the audited result in ways that cannot be justified. They appear designed

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Standing Committee on the Integrity Commission and Statutory Office Holders’ Inquiry into the operation of the 2024 ACT Election and Electoral Act 1992.

MPs receive $1.2 million worth of entitlements each year, and Senators $1.1 million. Over the course of an election cycle, these entitlements are worth at least $3.6 million per MP and $3.2 million per Senator. These resources can be used to boost re-election chances, creating barriers to entry for challengers that help explain why about 9 in 10 incumbents get re-elected.

This Briefing Paper recommends that the new Tasmanian Parliament address five major problems with the Tasmanian Integrity Commission. Poor funding Limitations caused by the privilege against self-incrimination Rarely publishing reports and never holding public hearings Gaps in jurisdiction, like third parties seeking to corruptly influence public officials Commissioners not limited to one term in office

YouGov conducted a national survey of 1,522 voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between 27 June and 3 July 2025, using an online survey polling methodology. Voters were asked if they supported or opposed amending the law to require all postal vote applications to be sent directly to the Australian Electoral Commission, rather than

YouGov conducted a national survey of 1,522 voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between 27 June and 3 July 2025, using an online survey polling methodology.

A Whistleblower Protection Authority is a crucial missing piece in Australia’s anti-corruption laws, and it enjoys the support of 84% of Australians.

YouGov conducted a survey of 842 Tasmanian voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between 12 and 16 June 2025, using an online survey polling methodology. Full details are provided in the methodology statement. The poll is compliant with the Australian Polling Council’s requirements

YouGov conducted a survey of 842 Tasmanian voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between 12 and 16 June 2025, using an online survey polling methodology. Full details are provided in the methodology statement. The poll is compliant with the Australian Polling Council’s requirements. The margin of error on the effective sample size is 4.2%.

YouGov conducted a national survey of 1,500 voters on behalf of The Australia Institute between 24 and 29 April 2025, using an online survey polling methodology. Full details are provided in the methodology statement. The poll is compliant with the Australian Polling Council’s requirements. The margin of error on the effective sample size is 3.27%.

Securing newspaper endorsements was once a key part of running a successful Australian election campaign, through which Australian media shaped Australian politics. Televised debates between the prime minister and opposition leader were also major campaign events that allowed TV stations to shape the attitudes of a substantial number of voters. However, in the 2022 and 2025 elections, major media companies have been left to bellow from the sidelines.

New Australia Institute polling shows that more than twice as many Australians support a power-sharing arrangement in the next term of parliament as oppose one (41.7% vs 19.7%). And, among Independent and Other voters, more say that independent and minor party MPs holding the balance of power should support the party they believe can negotiate

An analysis of 25 power sharing parliaments in Australia shows that there is great variety in what crossbenchers negotiate in exchange for confidence and supply. Typical areas of negotiation are parliamentary reform, policy reform, more staff and resources and ministerial or presiding officer  positions for crossbenchers.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia has 8,469 journalists, but where do they actually live? Which communities have their stories told firsthand while others are told by outsiders?

The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about their attitudes to Australian whistleblowers. The survey was developed in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre and Whistleblower Justice Fund. The results show that: 86% of Australians support having stronger legal protections for Australian whistleblowers, including more than half (52%) who strongly

The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,089 Australians about their attitudes toward truth in political advertising.

The state of print news competition in Australia is dire, and local and regional news is slowly dying.

The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about their awareness of reforms implemented by the Albanese Government and whether they support or oppose those same reforms.

The annual release of AEMO’s Gas Statement of Opportunities invariably triggers coverage suggesting that Australia, one of the world’s biggest gas producers, is about to run short of gas.

The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about their level of home and contents insurance coverage. The results show that: • Of Australians who own their house outright or have a mortgage, 78% say their house is fully insured, 15% say their house is underinsured, and 4% say their house is

The Australian Public Service (APS) is responsible for delivering some of the most crucial social services to all Australians. The APS workforce includes employees who deliver frontline services like in Medicare and Centrelink, those who administer the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and those who assist service personnel and veterans via Veterans Affairs. These are