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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
July 2010
Green jobs: What are they and do we need them?
Despite a great deal of enthusiasm about green jobs, there has been surprisingly little interest in what the concept actually means. Given that the precise definition of a green job will ultimately determine both the environmental effectiveness of the growing body of green-collar workers and the value received in return for significant public investment, the
May 2010
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries: A cautionary tale from Australia
If a binding agreement can be reached on a post-2012 international climate regime, it is likely to include a market-based instrument for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and enhancing forest sinks in developing countries (collectively known as ‘REDD-plus’). Under such a scheme, countries that reduce net REDD emissions below a pre-set baseline
April 2010
Minerals in the Australian Economy
‘Minerals in the Australian economy’ is of course a big topic. On the one hand that means it is inevitable that major issues are not discussed. On the other hand it means that the contributor has a lot of scope to select what to talk about. The position here is not to question the peak
November 2009
What a waste: An analysis of household expenditure on food
Australian households are throwing out more than $5 billion worth of food each year, more than Australians spend on digital equipment, and more than it costs to run the Australian Army. In addition to the direct financial costs of this waste, the environmental impact associated with excessive greenhouse gas emissions and water use is substantial.
Submission to the Do Not Call Register Statutory Review
In its submission to the Do Not Call Register Statutory Review, The Australia Institute argues that the current system of regulating unwanted telemarketing calls needs to be overhauled in recognition of the continued nuisance caused by telemarketing. The Do Not Call Register should be extended to cover all unsolicited telemarketing calls, including those that are
October 2009
Woolly figures
Agricultural emissions are a significant source of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions yet they will be excluded from the initial stage of the Rudd Government’s proposed CPRS, with a view to incorporating them from 2015. This paper examines Treasury’s modelling of the likely impact of the CPRS on the agricultural sector and finds it could be
June 2009
The benefits of the mining boom: Where did they go?
The perception of most Australians is that the mining boom delivered unambiguous benefits for the Australian economy, including more jobs, exports, tax revenues and, for the majority of people, higher incomes. But was this the case? This paper looks more closely at the extent to which Australians have, in fact, benefitted from the boom, which
May 2009
Future Economic Thought- discussion paper
The goal of sustainability has been a dangerous and destructive distraction for both citizens and policy makers concerned with the development of a society that protects our natural environment and promotes the wellbeing of our citizens. This paper argues that the goal of sustainability needs to be abandoned in all but its broadest metaphorical sense.
October 2008
Agriculture and Emissions Trading: The impossible dream?
This report argues that the Rudd Government should not include agriculture in the upcoming Emissions Trading Scheme because of the inherent difficulties in accurately measuring emissions from the agriculture sector. Instead, it outlines a number of alternative options for achieving agriculture emissions abatement.
January 2008
June 2007
University Capture. Australian universities and the fossil fuel industry.
In recent years, universities have been at the centre of a vigorous debate about the role of higher education in society. In particular, concerns have been raised about the effects of commercialisation of Australian universities on academic freedom and the quality of teaching. This paper explores the increasingly close relationships between Australian universities and the
May 2007
February 2007
Mobile phones and the consumer kids
A quarter of children ages 6-14 own phones, 1/3 of them pay for this phone with their own money. Children often buy phones for aesthetic reasons not for safety. Corporations have been trying to sell to children, and this has resulted in financial strain on them.
January 2007
December 2006
July 2006
February 2006
December 2005
Unwanted Christmas Presents: Getting the Most out of Christmas
Over half of all Australians will not use, or give away Christmas presents. 21% of Australians will give a present to someone they don’t like. Because of this the piece recommends that the important social act of present giving should be replaced with giving to charity, as 73% of Australians would prefer a charitable contribution.
September 2005
August 2005
Response to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage’s Media Release concerning The Australia Institute Report, Playing Politics with the Federal Heritage Regime
This piece raises questions around the handling of the funding for the Don Bradman Heritage Trail and the Australian Cricket Captains’ Walk projects. Firstly despite no application for funding being lodged by either of these projects both received funding. There has been no reason supplied as to why the Minister of the Environment has changed
July 2005
Why Australians Will Never Be Prosperous
While many Australians are prosperous, few feel prosperous. Only 1 in 5 millionaires consider themselves prosperous¸ and only 1.6 of the entire Australian population. This piece claims that the pressure on growth of net worth and income forces people to perceive themselves as not prosperous.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act: A Five Year Assessment
An analysis of the environmental assessment and approval (EAA) process under the five-year old EPBC Act and whether it is fulfilling its environmental objectives. Chris McGrath Letter in response to discussion paper 81: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act: A Five Year Assessment A Macintosh and D Wilkinson Reply to the letter from Chris McGrath
May 2005
March 2005
Wasteful Consumption in Australia
This report estimates that Australians spend more than $10.5 billion each year on goods and services from which they derive no benefit. The paper examines the phenomenon of wasteful consumption and explores its implications.