Research
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Economics
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- Gender at Work
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March 2015
Submission: Mt Owen continued operations project
The Deloitte Access Economics (DAE) assessment of the economic impacts of the Mt Owen continued operations project has significant flaws which overstate the value of the project and mislead decision makers. The assessment does not make clear the costs and the benefits of the project to NSW, contrary to Director Generals Requirements. Instead, it compares
Submission on corporations legislation amendment (deregulatory and other measures)
The Australia Institute made a submission to the Senate Economics Committee inquiry into Corporations Legislation Amendment (Deregulatory and Other Measures) Bill 2014. Our key concern is that the repeal of the rule permitting 100 members to call an extraordinary general meeting . Repealing this rule would be an obstacle to civil society, which increasingly plays
Privatisation of state and territory assets and new infrastructure
This inquiry has been established to examine the so called “Asset Recycling Program”. In 2013 state, territory and federal treasurers agreed to the program, under which the states would receive incentives from the federal government to privatise assets in order to promote the building of new infrastructure projects. The asset recycling program will cost the
February 2015
Submission: Corporate tax avoidance
The Senate referred an inquiry into corporate tax avoidance to the Senate Economic References Committee. The Australia Institute submitted a submission to the inquiry focusing, in particular, on non-arms length licensing royalties between related parties. This submission does not address the whole field of tax avoidance.
Large Scale Solar and the RET
A new report identifies huge potential investment in solar power, not just wind, is dependent on a stable, strong large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET). The Large Scale Solar and the RET report also suggests that a 40% target would provide an earlier tipping point to trigger major solar investment.
Submission: Inquiry into Unconventional Gas (Fracking)
The Australia Institute made a submission to South Australia’s Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into unconventional gas. Our submission focuses on the potential net economic outcomes to the region and the rest of the state. The net economic effects of gas development in South Australia are likely to be small: There would be minimal impact on
Submission: Select committee into certain aspects of Queensland Government administration related to Commonwealth Government affairs
The Australia Institute made a submission to the Select Committee inquiry into Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration related to Commonwealth Government Affairs. Our submission focused on the use of economics in major project assessment processes. Approval processes for major projects in Queensland have seen the misuse of various tools of economic assessment. In particular
Submission: Abbott Point Port and Wetland Project and Abbott Point Dredging and Onshore Placement of Dredged Material Project
In December 2014, the Queensland Government sought submissions on the Preliminary Documentation around two related proposals to expand the coal port at Abbot Point. The Australia Institute made a submission on the Preliminary Documentation. Our submission showed that the Preliminary Documentation is inadequate as it contains no cost benefit analysis and no economic assessment of
Submission: Draft industry action plan
The draft NSW Minerals Industry Action Plan presents recommendations that maximise the interests of the minerals industry. While this is not surprising, the aims of the NSW government should be to maximise the welfare of the community rather than any particular industry. In some areas, the interests of the industry and the government are aligned,
January 2015
The Dash from Gas: Could demand in New South Wales fall to half?
UPDATE: The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on 13 April 2015 released a report confirming the slump in gas demand. At the time of the initial release of The Dash from Gas report, the industry and many politicians continued to warn of a potential ‘gas shortage’. A new report commissioned by The Australia Institute shows gas
Are there 27,000 jobs in the Galilee Basin?
In recent media statements senior Queensland Government members have claimed that development of coal mines in Queensland’s Galilee Basin will create 27,000 jobs. No source for this figure is provided in the media statements and no such estimate features in the Government’s Galilee Basin Strategy. No source is provided for this estimate. It is
Queensland Taxpayers’ $2 billion Abbot Point Subsidies Bill
The Newman Government has subsidised controversial coal mining port expansion to the tune of $2 billion, Australia Institute Research has revealed. The Abbot Point project has not undergone a cost benefit analysis. This despite Queensland Treasurer, Tim Nichols, calling for cost benefit analysis on all major government projects. Mining projects which were set to feed
How to extend the GST without hurting the poor
The Coalition Government’s proposed amendments to the GST have been attacked for disproportionately impacting low-income households. But the GST doesn’t have to be so regressive. By extending the tax to include private health insurance and private education, the government can boost revenue, broaden the tax base, and do so in a way that does not
December 2014
Unlocking care: continuing mental health care for prisoners and their families
There were 30,775 prisoners in Australia at the end of June 2013 – an increase of five per cent on the 2012 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Almost six out of ten (58 per cent) prisoners had previously served a sentence as an adult. The cost of housing a prisoner in
Solar energy in Australia: health and environmental costs and benefits
Australia has some of the best conditions in the world for producing solar energy, and new research suggests it is also the nation’s preferred future energy option. This paper considers various advantages and disadvantages of harnessing energy from the sun. It finds the health and environmental impacts of solar to be minimal in comparison to
Wind energy, climate and health: evidence for the impacts of wind generated energy in Australia
Wind power is one of the least greenhouse gas intensive energy sources available and Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world. With the potential to produce up to 40 per cent of Australia’s energy need, wind power presents a great opportunity for reducing our national greenhouse gas emissions and heavy reliance
The budget’s hidden gender agenda
Successive governments have made large changes in taxation and spending measures that have disproportionately affected women. Men have benefitted most from tax cuts while the cuts to services have primarily impacted on women – a double disadvantage. Before the Global Financial Crisis, income tax cuts were a key feature of fiscal policy for successive Federal
November 2014
Briefing Note: Victorian Liberal Party promises new trains
The Victorian Liberals’ announcement of $3.9 billion for new trams and trains over the next 10 years appears unlikely to meet growing demand, according to analysis of the announcement from the Australia Institute.
The RET’s effect on Tasmania
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) has been subjected to a lot of criticism in recent years. Most of it has centred on the idea that the RET increases electricity prices. Numerous studies including the government’s recent review of the RET have shown that over time it is lowering electricity prices. But the criticism has also
Walking the tightrope: Have Australians achieved work/life balance?
Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard described work/life balance as a “BBQ-stopper” in 2001. Since then, the term “work/life balance” has been part of the Australian lexicon, but just how well are Australians achieving it? National Go Home on Time Day was launched by The Australia Institute in 2009 as a light-hearted way to
Any way the wind blows: Power generation in South Australia
South Australia leads the country in several aspects of renewable energy development. The state has the highest installed capacity of wind generation – more than 1,200 megawatts. In 2013-14, 37 per cent of electricity generated in the state came from wind and rooftop solar, more than any other state in the country. South Australia’s wind
All talk, no action: the coal industry and energy poverty
The problems of energy poverty are real and large. Promising solutions are becoming available and many organisations are working to hasten their implementation. The coal industry is very vocal in promoting energy poverty and pushing coal as a solution to it. But coal companies are not, in general, major contributors to energy poverty alleviation efforts.
How the government loses 48% of company tax
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the extent of income inequality in Australia asked The Australia Institute for some background briefing on how the role of dividend imputation in Australia was relevant to the committee’s deliberations. This brief provides some supplementary information on dividend imputation and franking credits.
Airly Mine Extension Proposal
The Airly mine is an underground thermal coal mine in the Capertee Valley, NSW. A proposal to expand the mine is currently being assessed by the NSW Department of Planning and the Environment. The Australia Institute made a submission on the expansion proposal relating to its economic assessment. The Economic Assessment of the Airly Mine
October 2014
Coalpac: Invincible and Cullen Valley modifications
In September 2014 the Australia Institute made a written submission and in-person presentation to the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission on the proposal to extend the Invincible and Cullen Valley mines, owned by Coalpac. The mines are in a sensitive environmental area near the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The key points of our submission
Economics, agriculture and native vegetation in NSW
Native vegetation and regulations relating to its management have a minimal economic effect on agriculture in New South Wales (NSW). The state produces between $10 and $16 billion in agricultural output per year, dependent largely on rainfall and commodity prices. When rainfall is good and commodity prices are high, output is high. Less rainfall and
The mouse that roars: Coal in the Queensland economy
Queensland’s economy is based on service industries. Service industries employ nearly three quarters of the Queensland workforce and make up two thirds of economic output. 99 per cent of Queenslanders do not work in the coal industry. 96 per cent of Queensland government revenue does not come from coal royalties. 93 per cent of Queensland’s
Child Labour: Everybody’s Business
At first sight child labour may not appear to be a material issue for Australian companies and investors: Australia has labour laws that prescribe the minimum school-leaving and employment age. Australia also has a rich tradition in worker representation and a trade union movement active in advancing labour rights. However Australia is not an island
September 2014
Boosting retirement incomes the easy way
The Australian government is currently willing to boost the retirement incomes of wealthy Australians by providing low cost ‘reverse mortgages’ through Centrelink. The Pension Loan Scheme (PLS) allows eligible Australians to receive payments equivalent to the full age pension paid into their bank account on a fortnightly basis, borrowed from the government and secured against
Feeling safe again
Property crime in Australia declined by more than half between 2001 and 2011 – affecting 2.9 per cent of households in 2012, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Although the proportion of victims has been falling steadily, recovery from these incidents remains an important policy issue for those unfortunate Australians who fall prey to