Finance, Banking, Monetary Systems
Our research explains and advocates why a sound financial and monetary system is critical for economic prosperity.
Publications
The Major Bank Levy: We’re all going to be hit
Michael Potter
19 June 2017 | RR29
The major bank levy was proposed in the 2017–18 Budget. The levy has numerous flaws including: The costs of the levy will likely be passed on as higher interest rates for mortgages and business loans, harming households and business investment which is very weak. The…
Principles and recommendations for tax reform - CIS submission National Reform Summit
Simon Cowan, Robert Carling, Henry Ergas
27 August 2015 | CIS Submission
The slant towards cutting taxes before 2010 was welcome, but for such an approach to return in the foreseeable future, the growth of government spending will have to be curbed and the size of government as a share of GDP reduced. Although tax reform may…
Submission to the National Commission of Audit
Alexander Philipatos, Jennifer Buckingham, Jeremy Sammut, Robert Carling, Simon Cowan, Stephen Kirchner, Trisha Jha
01 April 2014 | T30.08
The federal government’s Commission of Audit (CoA) was established in 2013 to review the performance and role of government. This publication is an edited version of the CIS submission to the CoA listing practical solutions aimed at cutting government expenditure. The government should adopt a…
TARGET30: Reducing the burden for future generations
David Murray, Maurice Newman, Simon Cowan
01 July 2013 | PF25
TARGET30 is a campaign promoting smaller government and cutting government spending to less than 30% of GDP in the next 10 years. This collection of speeches presented at the campaign’s launch focuses on ensuring that the crucial services Australians need are delivered efficiently and effectively…
Australia’s Future Fiscal Shock
Robert Carling
28 September 2012 | IA134
Australia’s Future Fiscal Shock. Robert Carling is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies.
Media & Commentary
Turnbull laid the groundwork for SA’s bank levy, but he should now think about withholding GST from the state
Robert Carling
24 June 2017 | BUSINESS INSIDER
The South Australian state budget tabled yesterday provides further confirmation that Australian fiscal policy is on a slippery slope to ruin. In particular, the new tax on major bank liabilities…
New record set for tax hike
Michael Potter
23 June 2017 | THE SPECTATOR - FLAT WHITE
A9X9B5 Tax Rate button on calculator This must be a new record for the speed of a tax hike. On Monday 19 June, the federal parliament passed legislation implementing the…
Major Bank Levy a trickery lesson
Michael Potter
23 June 2017 | Ideas@TheCentre
There have been plenty of attempts to confuse the public over who pays the Major Bank Levy. While it is supposedly a tax on the five major banks of about…
Major bank levy increase – a new record for tax hike speed?
Michael Potter
22 June 2017 | MEDIA RELEASE
The major bank levy is increasing after just four days, with today’s additional levy announcement by the South Australian government. “This must be a new record for the shortest time…
Why the key arguments for Australia's new tax on the major banks don't stack up
Michael Potter
20 June 2017 | BUSINESS INSIDER
If you are looking for lessons in obfuscation, governments spoil you with choice. But an ideal example is the Major Bank Levy, currently before Parliament. The levy is forecast to…