This discussion paper outlines two different possible implementations of the Finnish model. The first alternative is a direct translation of the Finnish system and would result in a loss of revenue for the state. The second alternative is a modification of the first to estimate a revenue neutral alternative.

This paper outlines the recent employment trends and future prospects of Queensland’s industries and regions, and explores the state’s changing economic context.

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.

The economic assessment of the Wilpinjong mine heavily overstates the value of the project. This is easily seen by comparing the estimate of the project’s net present value, AUD$735 million, with the total stockmarket value of the proponent, only $114 million. The key flaw in the economic assessment is unrealistic production costs. The assessment assumes

A ReachTEL poll of 1077 South Australian’s shows opposition to a nuclear waste dump at 48.5% and support at 37.2%. (Full results below) Final submissions to South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission closed on Friday. “A nuclear waste dump remains unpopular, despite some recent high profile support and renewed focus with the Royal Commission,”

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.

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.

International and Australian data on tax rates and macroeconomic indicators provides no evidence of link between corporate tax cuts and a ‘growth dividend’. Despite widespread acceptance of the argument that cutting the corporate tax rate will boost economic growth, the economic evidence is not there according to a new report from David Richardson, Senior Research

The Forestry Corporation of NSW (‘Forestry Corporation’ or ‘the Corporation’) is a state-owned corporation that manages more than two million hectares of commercial native and plantation forests in NSW for the primary purpose of timber production. Forestry Corporation has two operating segments; the Softwood Plantations Division, and the Hardwood Division (which is primarily engaged in

Digging for Answers is a response to the tentative findings of the South Australian Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and in particular to proposed radioactive waste storage and disposal facilities in South Australia This report finds that the business case for a nuclear waste storage facility in South Australia is exaggerated. The project

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. 

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

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.

North Stradbroke Island (NSI) has no “economy” of its own. Most of its residents don’t work at all, mostly by choice. Its houses are mostly owned and used by people who live and work on the mainland and come to the island for holidays and relaxation. On NSI, goods and services are sourced from the

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

The government has spent a considerable amount of time talking about bracket creep with a particular focus on average incomes ‘creeping’ into the second top tax bracket. The government seems increasingly likely to focus any income tax cuts to prevent these average wage earners from being pushed into the second highest tax bracket. An example

The Australia Institute has released data from modelling commissioned from NATSEM together with ATO statistics which show that young Australians are receiving little benefit from three of the budget’s most expensive tax concessions. The research shows Australians under 30 years of age receive only 6.4% of the combined tax concessions on superannuation, the capital gains

This paper argues that an estate tax would make a useful contribution to the government’s tax armoury. The aging of the population means that the tax base is likely to be expanding well into the future. In addition the estate duty is useful because it is levied at a time when the one who accumulated the assets no

A new report from The Australia Institute shows that a proposal to establish a global nuclear waste industry in South Australia would fail to secure 90% of the imported waste, leaving an expensive and risky legacy for the state. The report was commissioned by the Conservation Council of South Australia to analyse the submission to

This paper examines how the Finnish model of progressive traffic fines could work in Australia, and estimates the effect on individuals at different income levels.

Electricity emissions from the National Energy Market in Australia in 2015 increased 2.4 per cent on 2014 levels and have increased by 5.1 per cent since their lowest point in the year to June 2014, when the carbon price was abolished. This CEDEX® Electricity Update contains data for emissions from electricity generation in the National

The largest tax concession in Australia is the capital gains tax (CGT) exemption for themain residence. Last year it cost the budget $46 billion and is predicted to cost the budget $189 billion over the next four years. Each year the cost of the CGT exemption on for the main residence costs the federal budget more than