Economic Policy

The Centre for Independent Studies is guided by the philosophy of free markets and individual responsibility. Our economic policy research centres on ideas that will strengthen Australia’s economy for the future and challenge the reach of big government. With ongoing uncertainty for economies around the world, the CIS’ research into financial and monetary issues is more vital than ever in helping shape public policy.

Continuing economic reform is desperately needed in Australia, and that is why our TARGET30 program seeks to reduce waste in government and in the public sector, and to bring government spending under control.

For more information on our economic research, please proceed to:

Featured Publication
Publications
Why childcare is not affordable
Eugenie Joseph
29 August 2018 | RR37

Childcare fees and out-of-pocket costs in Australia have been growing above inflation in recent years, at the same time that more parents are using formalised childcare to support their participation in the workforce. Childcare has been subject to growing and evolving regulation for many years,…

Curbing Corporate Social Responsibility: Preventing Politicisation – and Preserving Pluralism – in Australian Business
Jeremy Sammut
21 August 2018 | AP2

The unprecedented part that leading that Australian companies played in the same-sex marriage campaign in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  has led critics to argue that companies should “stick to their knitting” and not meddle in politically-contentious social debates.  CSR threatens to become…

Too Little; Too Late: Personal Income Tax Reform in Australia
Robert Carling, Matthew O’Donnell
13 June 2018 | PP5

The main thrust of the Government’s proposed personal income tax changes announced in the 2018-19 Budget is welcome, but they could be improved to better promote economic efficiency. Also, implementation should be brought forward, with the earlier revenue losses offset by tighter expenditure management. Specifically,…

Cutting income tax: can we add the bacon to the hamburger and milkshake tax cuts?
Robert Carling
15 April 2018 | PP1

The key problems in personal income tax are excessive marginal rates and an increasing overall average tax rate as bracket creep goes unchecked. Political objectives aside, there is a sound economic case for tax cuts. The government should give priority to instituting a system of…

Media & Commentary
An economic narrative for re-election
Simon Cowan
15 September 2018 | The Sydney Morning Herald

When he rolled Tony Abbott for the Prime Ministership, one reason Malcolm Turnbull gave was that he thought he could provide better economic leadership. While history will judge the truth…

Au pair system works for parents
Eugenie Joseph
14 September 2018 | Ideas@TheCentre

Au pairs represent one of the last bastions of unregulated childcare. It is therefore unsurprising to witness the latest round of criticisms of the au pair system. The Peter Dutton…

Airport regulation calls take off
Charles Jacobs
14 September 2018 | Ideas@TheCentre

Airlines’ ongoing calls for greater government regulation of airport fees ignore many of the benefits these levies can bring to both themselves and their passengers. Airlines for Australia and New…

No basis in bias science
Monica Wilkie
13 September 2018 | The Spectator

News that the Australian Taxation Office has been running unconscious bias training courses raises the question: why are taxpayers footing the bill for a potentially flawed psychological test? The course uses the…

When buying votes replaces selling policies
Robert Carling
12 September 2018 | Australian Financial Review

The Morrison government’s decision not to lift the pension age above 67 is the last nail in the coffin of the 2014 “austerity” budget in which it was first proposed. Is it…

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