Research
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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
April 2024
Submission – PRRT: Delivering fairer and bigger returns, always
Submission to Senate Standing Committees on Economics inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Accountability and Fairness) Bill 2023 [Provisions].
Polling Research: Ending native forest logging across Australia
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,008 Australians about an end to native forest logging on public land.
Polling – Cook By-Election: Integrity Reform
An overwhelming majority of voters in the seat of Cook, the electorate of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, support truth in political advertising and a strong National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Submission: Access to Parliament House by Lobbyists
Lobbying can give vested interests unfair advantages, be unduly secretive and serve to exclude the public from negotiations over policy.
March 2024
Democracy and accountability in the pandemic
The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program made a submission to the COVID-19 Response Inquiry. The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program carried out significant research into topics that might be of interest to the panel. This submission outlines how these research papers come under each of the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
Submission: Glendell Mine Modification 5
A submission made by The Australia Institute to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure regarding the Glendell Mine Modification 5. The Modification should be rejected on both economic and environmental grounds. At the very least, it should be subject to a comprehensive economic assessment before a planning decision is reached. The Australia Institute
The Irrelevance of Minimum Wages to Future Inflation
A significant increase to the minimum wage, and accompanying increases to award rates, would not have a significant effect on inflation, according to new analysis by the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute.
The analysis examines the correlation between minimum wage increases and inflation going back to 1997, and it finds no consistent link between minimum wage increases and inflation.
Submission to the Reserve Bank Reforms 2023 bill
The Australia Institute argued that the RBA review’s proposal to remove the Australian Parliament’s power to override the RBA on monetary policy is wrong.
Ending profiteering from publicly-funded research
Academic publishing houses are among the most profitable businesses in the world.
Inquiry into the ART bills
The Administrative Review Tribunal Bill represents a dramatic improvement on the politicised appointments process that undermined trust in and the operations of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Polling – Tasmanian Election Issues
Australia Institute polling research shows a majority of Tasmanian voters support action on integrity in politics, salmon farming, forestry, and housing affordability.
Polling – Right to Disconnect
Survey respondents were asked if they would support or oppose the federal government legislating a right to disconnect that would direct employers to avoid contacting workers outside of work hours, unless in an emergency.
Saying ‘no’ to Santos: Submission regarding the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023
Offshore gas must not bypass genuine consultation with traditional owners or the wider community. Adequate consultation will always challenge the crumbling social license of fossil fuel operations – perhaps that is why there are proposals to “clarify and improve” consultation and approvals?
Submission to the Fair Work Commission Modern Award Review 2023-2024, Work and Care
The Fair Work Commission’s Review of Modern Awards 2023-24 is considering the impact of workplace relations settings on work and care. This submission argues for good quality, secure part-time jobs to achieve more gender-equitable sharing of care and to support women’s full economic participation.
Polling – Tasmanian State Election 2024
uComms conducted a survey of 1174 residents across Tasmania on behalf of The Australia Institute during the evening of 04 – 05 March 24 using self-completed automated voice and SMS polling methodologies.
Professionalising the Aged Care Workforce
This paper presents the case for an aged care worker registration and accreditation scheme
Submission: NSW Planning system and the impacts of climate change
The Australia Institute made a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the NSW Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities.
February 2024
Submission: Inquiry into the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI is a crucial part of the beneficial information feedback loop between the government and the people.
Polling – Fossil fuel levy
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,017 Australians about a proposed levy on fossil fuel exports. 508 respondents were asked whether they would support a levy of $1 per tonne of emissions (raising around $1.5 billion per year) and 509 whether they would support a levy of $20 per tonne (raising around
Polling: Stage 3 Tax Cuts in Dunkley
On behalf of The Australia Institute, uComms conducted a survey of 626 residents across the Federal Seat of Dunkley on behalf of The Australia Institute during the evenings of 5 and 6 February 2024 using self-completed automated voice and SMS polling methodologies.
Polling: Stage 3 Tax Cuts in Kooyong, Mackellar and Wentworth
On behalf of The Australia Institute, uComms surveyed residents of the federal electorates of Kooyong, Mackellar and Wentworth on 5 February 2024.
Benefits of Modifying the Stage 3 Tax Cuts by Electorate
Lower income electorates on the fringes of capital cities and rural areas will get the largest benefit from modifying the Stage 3 tax cuts.
Save the Skate
Recognised as one of the values of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, the endangered Maugean skate is heading for extinction without Australian Government intervention.
The 47th Parliament and the Democracy Agenda
In 2022, the Australia Institute released the Democracy Agenda for the 47th Parliament to encourage parliamentarians and the government to consider how to improve integrity and democratic responsiveness.
January 2024
Polling: Stage 3 Tax Cuts and Election Promises
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,017 Australians about their attitudes on the Stage 3 tax cuts, restructuring or scrapping the cuts, and views on the importance of keeping election promises.
Congestion-Free City Centres
As cities across the world strive to increase livability and sustainability cars have become a key focal point. Many European cities are in the process of redesigning streets to reduce vehicle access and instead make more room for pedestrians and cyclists. In Nordic countries, this is just the latest chapter in a longer history of inclusive urban planning. Oslo’s car-free Livability Programme and Denmark’s cycle-friendly infrastructure offer useful models of how Australian cities could increase social, health and environmental benefits for all residents.
Plastic waste in Australia
By 2050, the amount of plastic consumed in Australia will more than double. Despite government policies aimed at creating a ‘circular economy’, just 14% of plastic waste is kept out of landfill. Recycling plastic is inefficient, expensive and hazardous, and there is little demand for recycled plastics. Policies to cap or phase down the use of plastics, including a plastics tax, are needed.
Missed opportunity: How fossil fuel investment is crowding out roads and renewables
Public road and rail projects worth $7 billion have been sidelined due to Australia’s ‘clogged’ infrastructure pipeline. Meanwhile, the coal and gas industries have committed to $41 billion worth of new fossil fuel projects with similar construction and engineering inputs. Fossil fuel expansion will crowd out both road and rail projects and drive up the cost of the approximately $58 billion in renewable energy infrastructure projects also planned by the Federal Government.
December 2023
The PALM Scheme
Australia’s meat processing and agricultural industries are employing an increasing number of temporary workers on the PALM Visa scheme from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste.
Bush Firefighter Reserves?
An overwhelming majority (85%) of Australians support better conditions for volunteer firefighters through an Army Reserve style model in the face of longer and more ferocious bushfire seasons.