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Economics
- Banking & Finance
- Employment & Unemployment
- Future of Work
- Gender at Work
- Gig Economy
- Industry & Sector Policies
- Inequality
- Infrastructure & Construction
- Insecure & Precarious Work
- Labour Standards & Workers' Rights
- Macroeconomics
- Population & Migration
- Public Sector, Procurement & Privatisation
- Retirement
- Science & Technology
- Social Security & Welfare
- Tax, Spending & the Budget
- Unions & Collective Bargaining
- Wages & Entitlements
- Young Workers
- Climate & Energy
- Democracy & Accountability
- Environment
- International & Security Affairs
- Law, Society & Culture
September 2016
Leaving the ARENA
Australia has a long history of prioritising fossil fuels over renewables in research and development (R&D) funding. ARENA turned this around, making Australia a world leader in renewables. Government plans to cut ARENA’s funding while providing new funds for fossil fuel R&D risks putting Australia back decades in energy R&D.
Poll: ‘Other’ surge in Senate voting intention and strong rejection of Newstart cuts
A new national poll of more than 10,000 Australians has shown the continued strong support for minor parties and independents in Senate voting intentions. The poll also measured opinion on the proposal to cut Newstart. 55% of respondents said the Senate should vote down the cut, just 32% said the Senate should pass the government
Human Rights in the Supply Chain of Australian Businesses: Opportunities for Legislative Reform
Australian businesses have recently been implicated in serious labour abuses, both within and beyond Australia’s borders. Recent examples to capture public attention are slave labour in the production of surf products by Australian brands in North Korea, human trafficking and labour exploitation in Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai fishing industries (the top suppliers of prawns to
August 2016
Intensive salmon farming in Tasmania
Tasmania is home to a substantial aquaculture industry. Intensive salmon farming in particular has grown quickly, attracting growing concerns about the industry’s impacts, how it is regulated and its financial contribution to the state. The Australia Institute commissioned ReachTEL to conduct state wide polling, as a first assessment of Tasmanian attitudes to the issues around intensive salmon farming.
July 2016
Post-election polling shows agreement on issues, expectation for politicians to negotiate with crossbench
Post-election polling of 2875 voters from across Australia showed the majority of Labor, Green and Independent voters prefer negotiations with cross bench MPs to form government rather than calling another election. 47.0% of all respondents support negotiations with independents and minor parties to form government while 46.3% said ‘call another election’. — Polling results in
June 2016
Climate of the Nation 2016: Australian attitudes on climate change
Climate of the Nation is Australia’s longest running survey benchmarking community attitudes on climate change.
The State of Australian Democracy
New research shows a rising number of the Australian adult population are not enrolled, not casting a vote or voting informally. Combined with the sinking major party vote, nearly 40% of Australian adults did not vote for either party able to form government in 2013. The trend has been on the rise over the past decades,
Polling and Senate Voting Analysis
Between 23 May and 3 June 2016The Australia Institute conducted a national opinion poll of 1437 people through Research Now, with nationally representative samples by gender, age and state or territory. The poll asked questions about voting intentions in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as questions about the Senate voting system.
May 2016
Corporate Malfeasance in Australia
A new report analysing findings from across several corporate regulatory bodies and related agencies finds widespread wrong-doing in the Australian private sector. Meanwhile the six major regulatory bodies and other agencies have seen 3,926 staff cut (or 14.9%) between the 2013-14 and 2015-16 budgets – meaning there are less cops on the corporate beat. The
April 2016
House and Senate Polling
Between 29 February and 8 March 2016 The Australia Institute conducted a national opinion poll of 1412 people through Research Now, with nationally representative samples by gender, age and state or territory. The poll included questions about voting intention for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Polling: High support for fixed term federal elections
Polling conducted by ReachTEL in South Australia, Queensland and the electorate of New England found very high support for fixed terms for Australian political elections. Reported on by Michelle Grattan on The Conversation – here.
March 2016
Polling: Voters support a national ICAC
A national Research Now poll, commissioned by The Australia Institute, found only 11 per cent support for an anti-corruption body for the building industry, while 65 per cent supported a national ICAC. The poll also asked opinion on the political tactic of calling a double-dissolution election. Polling in attachment below. Reported in The Australian Financial Review – here.
Economic Modelling Code of Conduct
The Australia Institute has called for a code of conduct for economic modelling in the wake of flawed and ridiculous BIS Shrapnel economic modelling of negative gearing. A code would require key assumptions to be revealed, context and comparison to be provided, and the identification of who, if anyone, commissioned the work.
No Politics at Aunty’s Table
A new report from The Australia Institute will be launched today at the ABC Friends National Campaign forum – ‘What do Australians expect from their ABC?’ – Download full report below – The report ‘No Politics at Aunty’s Table’ analyses the governance of the ABC, how some aspects have become political battlefields and ways to
Gender Equality at Work
This report by Catalyst Australia looks at the representation of women in leadership at companies included in the ASX50. This index lists Australia’s largest publicly-owned companies that are considered leaders in their industry. This research assesses the ASX50 companies and gender equality in four areas: boards, management, policies and practices, and the gender pay gap.
February 2016
New report examines risks and potential benefits of public broadcasting rationalisation
Public Broadcaster reforms could deliver an ad-free SBS and digital expansion for the ABC. As outgoing ABC chief Mark Scott raised the idea of an ABC-SBS merger, a new report by The Australia Institute explores the risks and benefits of reforms to public broadcasting. “Public support for the ABC and SBS is as strong as
December 2015
Draft guidelines for economic assessment of mining and coal seam gas proposals
Economic assessment has been at the centre of controversial planning decisions on mining and coal seam gas projects in New South Wales (NSW) for several years. The Australia Institute welcomes the efforts of the NSW Government and NSW Department of Planning and Environment to improve the standard of economic assessment.
October 2015
Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort : How the coal and gas industry get their way in Queensland. Examines the relationship between the Queensland Government and the fossil fuel industry. The report reveals a pattern of secrecy, a lack of accountability and transparency and a fast moving revolving door between the highest level of the bureaucracy and government, where political
September 2015
Who says? Public support for environmental advocacy
The mining and forestry lobby campaign to remove tax-deductibility for certain non-for-profit organisations they deem contrary to their business interests, does not have the support of the Australian public, according to new polling. Hearings recommence tomorrow in the Government’s inquiry into the administration, transparency and effectiveness of the Register of Environmental Organisations. Many Coalition politicians
Heartland – Why the bush needs its ABC
Regional media is viewed as an essential democratic institution by regional Australians, with 95 per cent accessing some type of local content each week. Regional media is an important source of news, weather, and emergency information. It also contributes to a sense of community and identity within a region. However, regional media is in decline
August 2015
Funny money: Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into foreign bribery
The Australia Institute and the Jubilee Australia Research Centre have made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into Australia’s foreign bribery laws and their implementation. Our submission is based on research conducted by the CAER – Corporate Analysis. Enhanced Responsibility, an independent environmental, social and governance research house. An increasing number
July 2015
How does sustainable banking add up?
This report examines both the sustainability in the Australian and global banking sectors and the assessment indicators. Specifically, it assesses self-regulatory and voluntary measures aimed at producing socially and environmentally responsible banking.
June 2015
Get Regular Excise:The case to reindex the fuel excise
The Howard Government decision in 2001 to cut indexation has cost the budget more than $46 billion in tax revenue to date. If no change is made the total cost to the budget is projected to top $160 billion by 2025. Additional carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the policy are projected to reach 16 million