The Australia Institute made a submission to the Planning Assessment Commission on the United Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine Project. We have previously made submissions on Wambo Mine – Modification 12 and also on the United Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine Project economic assessment by Deloitte Access Economics (Deloitte assessment). There are a number of

New research released today by The Australia Institute shows that estimates of impacts on South Australia from proposed changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan have been changed multiple times by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). These changes appear to be based more on political convenience than best available science. “Initial versions of the

The Tasmanian Integrity Commission (Tasmanian IC) has major design flaws that render it far less effective than the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (NSW ICAC) in exposing systemic corruption. The NSW ICAC makes more findings of corrupt conduct, refers more cases for prosecution, holds more public inquiries, and tackles systemic corruption cases of public significance. Over

The Australia Institute made a written submission on the latest proposal to re-start the Invincible Coal Mine. As with the earlier proposals, we oppose this project as, in our view, the economic benefits to the NSW community are unlikely to outweigh the environmental risks that it presents. Our key point is that the motivation behind

The Wallarah 2 Coal Project proposes to produce 4 to 5 million tonnes per annum of thermal coal. 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 made a submission to the November 2017 Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) consideration of the Project. Our

A new report, released today by The Australia Institute, questions using averages to represent flows in the Barwon-Darling and challenges the NSW Water Minister’s claims about how much water is going into maintain river health. Two massive flood years, 1950 and 1956 account for 21% of all of the water flows since 1944. These two

The workers’ compensation system in NSW has been dramatically scaled back and restructured since the current state government came to office in 2011.  Real benefit payouts have been cut by 30 percent, with the resulting “savings” passed on to employers in lower premiums (down 40 percent over the past decade).  Yet injured workers continue to

Budget-cutting political leaders regularly target the jobs and incomes of public sector workers as the first and most politically convenient target of their austerity measures. But their crusade to balance the books by downsizing headcounts, intensifying work, and freezing the pay of the workers who deliver essential public services can backfire. In this new report,

There is a strong need and broad public support for a federal anti-corruption commission with public hearings. Of the state commissions already established in Australia, NSW ICAC has been markedly successful in carrying out its legislated mission and provides a fair model for emulation, with refinement and adaptation, at the federal level. Premier Nick Greiner

Corrupt conduct has always been part of human society, and has caused the downfall of empires and societies including the Romans and the Ottomans. It erodes public trust in government and encourages citizens to also act unethically. We must remain absolutely intolerant of public corruption. It is wishful thinking that corruption is endemic in New

The Hume Coal project should be rejected on economic grounds. It is a relatively small, high-cost, greenfields mine far from major markets. It is unlikely that it can be financially or economically viable as currently proposed. It is already imposing economic costs on the Southern Highlands community. Proceeding with the project, particularly with possible modifications

The Southern Highlands has a diverse economy, with its band of towns and its proximity to major cities giving it an economic structure similar to NSW as a whole, but with a special focus on tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. Local businesses and community members are concerned about the potential effects of the proposed Hume Coal

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.

Development of large coal mines in Queensland’s Galilee Basin will reduce thermal coal prices. This also reduces royalty revenue received by NSW. The Adani project alone is likely to reduce NSW revenue by nearly $50 million per year. The NSW government should oppose subsidies to Adani.

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

A comparison of the Queensland and NSW anti-corruption commissions. The Queensland CCC has major design flaws that render it far less effective than the NSW ICAC, leading to fewer corrupt conduct findings and minimal public exposure of systemic corruption.

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.

Report on what we do and don’t know about mines, closures and rehabilitation in New South Wales. Little data is available to the public on the clean-up from the mining boom. State government agencies often lack basic information on how many mines are in operation, with still less published on closures and abandonments.

New polling conducted by ReachTEL for The Australia Institute of the electorates represented by Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott reveals very strong support for increasing and not cutting Australia’s renewable energy target. 57% of Tony Abbott’s constituents oppose his proposal to cut the RET. 59% of Malcolm Turnbull’s electorate oppose the cut while just 28%

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.