Research
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Economics
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September 2016
Tax cuts and scrapping the Clean Energy Supplement
In the 2016 budget the government announced that it would close carbon tax compensation to new recipients of government welfare benefits. This will have the effect of reducing the amount paid to welfare recipients. This will save the government $1.3 billion over the forward estimates. The clean energy supplement was not the only part of
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
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
The state government of New South Wales recently awarded a contract for the purchase of 512 new intercity passenger rail cars to a consortium that will manufacture the equipment in South Korea. The contract is worth $2.3 billion, including an unspecified sum to cover maintenance of the double-decker cars over an initial 15-year period. The
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.
Don’t cut the dole: Poll
New polling shows very low support for Government policy to cut welfare benefits by removing the clean energy supplement. The poll of 1,310 residents across Tasmania showed 60% opposed cutting Newstart, while just 25% supported the move. (see poll below) “There has been mounting evidence of the inadequacy of the unemployment benefits. To cut them
Is electricity demand growth returning in Australia?
In late 2010, after over a century of almost uninterrupted growth, demand for electricity in Australia began to fall. Two previous papers, published in 2013 and 2015, examined possible reasons why demand was falling in the National Electricity Market (NEM), which accounts for nearly 90% of Australian electricity consumption. However, no sooner had the second
Inequality & poverty in Australia: The case against the removal of the clean energy supplement
New research released by the Australia Institute today shows that government moves to cut unemployment benefits will put recipients at 32% below the poverty line. The research also highlights staggering inequality in Australia where the 10 richest Australian families have the same wealth as the poorest 3.9 million Australians combined.
July 2016
From climate pariah to climate saviour? What the petroleum industry can do about climate change
A new report from The Australia Institute explores what the petroleum industry can do to simultaneously pursue its financial interests and the interests of the global climate. The report, written by Australian National University Emeritus Professor Andrew Hopkins, outlines four key areas where the oil and gas industry’s interests align with the global goal of
Greasing the Wheels
Report reveals a web of political donations, special access and secret lobbying behind controversial mining projects. The report examines 6 highly controversial QLD resource projects and highlights the strong connection of these companies to QLD and federal political parties. The Queensland Liberal National Party accepted over $300,000 from companies associated with these projects, but most of the political
CEDEX: Gas generation falls for 18th month in succession
The year to June 2016 saw a continuation of the slowdown in demand growth first seen last month. Total emissions from electricity generation in the NEM fell slightly in the year to June 2016. Annual emissions were 5.7% higher than in the year to June 2014. Total coal generation fell slightly to 75.8%, compared with
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
Submission on competition to Australian Energy Market Commission
The Australian Energy Market Commission is considering a proposal to introduce a new rule in the national electricity market. The 5 Minute Settlement Rule Change is a very technical but important rule, which the Australia Institute believes would increase competition. Currently, gas peaking plants provide the energy to respond to rapid changes in demand. If
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.
Unemployment in New England
New England is an electorate that has faced a rapidly rising unemployment rate over the last 3 years. It has seen unemployment rise 2.7% since the last election. Over the same period the national unemployment rate has risen 0.1%. The number of unemployed has increased by 2,094 since the last election. This rapid rise in
Four for One?
Are there really four dollars benefit for every one dollar company tax cut? Last year Treasury published a paper which purported to show that there was a four dollar benefit for every dollar cut in company taxes. In the paper accompanying the 2016-17 Budget, a new set of results was published which dealt directly with
Polling Brief – Asylum Seeker Policy
The Australia Institute commissioned polling on a number of issues relating to refugee issues. In brief: – 61% said that Australia should accept New Zealand’s offer to take 150 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru. This included 58% of Coalition voters and 62% of Labor voters. – 66% said it should be legal for doctors
Taking an educated guess
A reveiw of OECD data of the relationship between living standards and cuts in company tax rates compared with the provision of better education services.
Queensland Unemployment by Electorate
While the national unemployment rate might be 5.7% this average unemployment hides important variations. The Australia Institute has assessed unemployment by regional variation by federal electorate using Department of Employment data. While the average unemployment rate in Queensland is 6.5% the unemployment rate varies across the electorates, from 4.4% in Maranoa to 10.5% in Hinkler.
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,
Great Barrier Bleached
Research released today by The Australia Institute estimates the tourism industry impacts if severe coral bleaching continues on the Great Barrier Reef. — Full report in attachment below — Based on surveys of Chinese, UK, American and domestic tourists, results show that tourism areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef risk losing over 1 million
Wambo Coal Mine, Hunter Valley – Submission
The Wambo Mine – Modification 12 – Southern Longwall Modifications is a proposal to extend an existing coal mine in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales (NSW). The mine is owned by coal producer Peabody Energy. An environmental impact statement (EIS) has been submitted to the Department of Environment and Planning. This submission relates mainly
Unemployment by Electorate – South Australia
While the national unemployment rate might be 5.7% this average unemployment hides important variations. The Australia Institute has assessed unemployment by regional variation by federal electorate using Department of Employment data. The average unemployment rate in South Australia is 6.8%, but the unemployment rate varies significantly across the state, from 5.0% in Boothby to 10.6%
Public opinion on mine site rehabilitation: Briefing note
As the size of the clean up after the mining boom becomes apparent, mine site rehabilitation is becoming an important topic for many communities, regions and governments in Australia. A recent report on mine voids found that 6,050ha of voids will be left behind in NSW, most of which will fill with saline water, an
Economic Management by PM
New report from the Centre for Future Work ranks Prime Ministerships by 10 key economic performance indicators.
Nice work if you can get it: Jobs outcomes from renewables growth policies
The Australia Institute has modelled the number jobs in the clean energy sector which would be created to meet the renewable energy targets proposed by political parties this election. All parties are talking about jobs and economic opportunities in the lead up to the 2016 federal election. The report estimates the number of jobs that