-
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
June 2017
Levy on the Major Banks
The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to a submission to the Inquiry into the Major Bank Levy Bill 2017 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Major Bank Levy) Bill 2017. This submission should be read in conjunction with some earlier submissions to Senate Inquiries. In particular we refer to our submission to the Senate Economics Committee
Penalty Rates, Minimum Wages, and Purchasing Power
The Fair Work Commission released two major decisions this week: its order regarding the timing for the implementation of reductions in penalty rates for Sunday and public holiday work in four major retail and hospitality awards, followed by its annual review of the general minimum wage. Both decisions will take effect on July 1. It
May 2017
Narrabri Gas Project: Submission
The economic assessment of the Narrabri Gas Project is misleading and does not comply with NSW assessment guidelines. The benefit cost analysis by consultants GHD is contradicted by the proponents’ financial statements and analysis commissioned by the Australian Energy Market Operator.
April 2017
Scientific inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory
The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. Our submission focuses on Theme 7.7 of the Background and Issues Paper, economic impacts and also addresses other themes that the Institute has conducted research on.
Wallarah 2 Coal Project: Submission to Planning Assessment Commission (April 2017)
The Wallarah 2 Coal Project (Project) proposes to produce 4 to 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of thermal coal for export. The project is located on the Central Coast of NSW near Wyong. The proponent is Kores, a South Korean government owned corporation. The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to
Select Committee on the Establishment of a National Integrity Commission
The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Select Committee on the Establishment of a National Integrity Commission. With recent polling conducted by the Australia Institute revealing 85% of Australians believe there is corruption in federal politics, and ongoing scandals showing evidence of this, it is time for a National Integrity
February 2017
Principles for Meaningful Transition Support for Workers in Carbon-Intensive Industries
As Australia and other countries shift their economies toward lower-carbon forms of energy and production, problems of displacement and transition for workers in carbon-intensive industries must be addressed as a top priority. The coal-fired electricity generation industry is on the front lines of this challenge. Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford was recently invited
Submission: Wallaby Scrub Road closure
The Australia Institute provided advice to EDO NSW and the Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association on the possible economic effects of closing Wallaby Scrub Road, in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Rio Tinto proposes to close the road in order to expand the Mt Thorley-Warkworth coal mine.
Review of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax
The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to Treasury’s Review of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT). The review occurs at a time when Australia is set to become the world’s largest gas exporter, yet PRRT revenues are declining. Several major gas projects are unlikely to pay PRRT for decades, according to
SUBMISSION: Rocky Hill coal project
Economic assessment of the Rocky Hill project understates costs and overstates benefits. It is unlikely to be in the economic interest of NSW or the Gloucester community to approve this project.
December 2016
Wilpinjong mine extention – PAC submission
The Australia Institute made a submission on the Wilpinjong Extension Project in March 2016. Our submission focussed on the economic assessment by Deloitte Access Economics in appendix M of the environmental impact statement (EIS).
November 2016
Submission to Senate Inquiry into Retiring Coal Fired Power
Energy systems are changing whether we like it or not. Currently there is a lack of policy to ensure that this change is orderly and just. There are already examples of communities that are being affected by these changes and the current policy vacuum.The Australia Institute has published many reports and submissions related to coal
Airly Mine Extension – Submission
The Australia Institute made a submission on the Airly Mine Extension proposal in October 2014, highlighting our concerns with the economic assessment of the project conducted by Aigis Group. Our key points were: The economic assessment does not comply with relevant guidelines. Inappropriate consideration of wages as an economic benefit, overstating the value of the
#democracysausage
Voting and electoral participation are part of Australia’s culture, expressed through our long history of electoral reform as well as modern trends such as the social media tag #democracysausage. Ensuring that everyone’s vote is counted is consistent with our ethos that everyone gets a “fair go”. Australia has among the highest electoral participation rates in
Lithgow Invincible Coal Mine – Submission to Inquiry
The Australia Institute made a submission on the latest proposal for the Invincible coal mine, located near Lithgow NSW. As with several proposals before this, the economic assessment of the proposal is flawed, with costs understated and benefits overstated. The project is unlikely to represent a net benefit to the NSW community and should be
October 2016
First Submission to the ABC (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015
The Australia Institute has an ongoing program of research into policy options around the ABC. Several of our research papers relate to the ABC’s operations in rural and regional Australia and the ABC Charter. Most recently, polling we commissioned in January 2016 shows strong public support in Tasmania for increased funding for the ABC in
Second Submission to the ABC (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015
Since our last submission we have published a research report relevant to this inquiry, No politics at Aunty’s table: Depoliticising the governance of the ABC. This report addresses the issue of political interference in the governance structures of the ABC, including its charter. A copy has been uploaded with this submission. The Australia Institute advocates
September 2016
United Wambo coal project: Submission
The United Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine Project is a proposal to expand and merge the existing Wambo and United coal mines in the Hunter Valley, NSW. This submission focuses mainly on the economic assessment included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the proposal, Appendix 19 Economic Assessment, written by Deloitte Access Economics (Deloitte).
Submission: Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016
The Australia Institute submission to the Economics Legislation Committee for its inquiry into the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016 critiques the proposed savings on the grounds that they will increase inequality and harm innovation.
July 2016
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
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
April 2016
Oil in the Great Australian Bight
Multinational oil company BP is planning exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight. The Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications is conducting an inquiry into the proposal, including into social and economic impacts of potential oil and gas exploration and production. The economic benefits of oil and gas exploration are
Submission to Wilpinjong Extension Project inquiry
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
March 2016
Digging for Answers
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
December 2015
Rix’s Creek Extension Project: Submission
The economic assessment of the Rix’s Creek Extension Project, written by consultants KPMG, heavily overstates the benefits of the project while largely ignoring potential costs. Key flaws are: High coal prices. Unorthodox treatment of wages. Assumption that most external costs are fully offset or mitigated, with no consideration of risk around these impacts. Minimal detail
Draft guidelines for economic assessment of mining and coal seam gas proposals
Economic assessment has been at the centre of controversial planning decisions on mining and coal seam gas projects in New South Wales (NSW) for several years. The Australia Institute welcomes the efforts of the NSW Government and NSW Department of Planning and Environment to improve the standard of economic assessment.
November 2015
Bylong Coal Project – Submission on Environmental Impact
The Australia Institute has made a submission on the Environmental Impact Statement of the Bylong Coal Project, a proposed new thermal coal mine located south of the Hunter Valley in NSW. The economic assessment of the Bylong Coal Project is not suitable for decision making purposes. It lacks transparency, is based on flawed methodologies and
September 2015
Airly Coal Mine project: Submission to Planning Assessment Commission
The Airly Coal Mine project is a small, underground mine in the Capertee Valley, north of Lithgow, NSW. It is currently being assessed by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). The economic assessment of the project is highly unreliable and its conclusion that the project would provide economic net benefit to the state has no
Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project: Submission on EIS
The Australia Institute has made a submission on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project. The EIS economic assessment is based on flawed economic analysis and ignores the most important economic questions around the project – is it likely to proceed and if so, is it in the
Establishing a gas community benefits fund
The NSW Government is currently accepting submissions on how to establish a community benefits fund from the potential development of a coal seam gas (CSG) industry in the state. A Discussion Paper has been published by the Division of Resources and Energy. The Australia Institute has written extensively on the economics of gas in Australia.