Key findings:

• About as many Australians want property prices to decrease in the future (36%) as want them to increase (33%). One in five (18%) want them to stay the same.
• Australians who own an investment property are the only group where the majority (59%) want property prices to increase.
• Three in five Australian renters (60%) want property prices to decrease.
• Two in five Australians who own their own homes, either with a mortgage or outright, want property prices to increase (42% and 45%, respectively).

“As increasing numbers of Australians are locked out of the housing market, it has become so expensive that only a minority of Australians want prices to keep going up,” says Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute.

“Increases in house prices have come at a terrible cost to so many people. Housing should be about having a safe and secure place to live, not a way to make money.”

“Less than half of homeowners want to see house prices rise. Only among those with the most to gain from rising house prices, people who own investment properties, did a majority want to see house prices rise.”

The post Housing bubble or housing trouble? Australians wary of increasing property prices in future appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The three mines are already so large that they would almost cover greater Sydney, or most Australian cities.

“Today’s approval is yet another example of the Australian Government deciding to create more climate change rather than less. Another time that Minister Plibersek was on the side of coal companies, not the environment,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Putting this out just before Christmas is a classic ‘taking out the trash’ tactic. While Australians are trying to enjoy the end of the year, the Minister is doing the bidding of multinational coal companies.

“With every heatwave and every bushfire this summer, Australians should remember that their government is making this problem worse, not better.”

The post Minister’s early Christmas gift to coal companies appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key facts:

• Foreign-owned gas companies export 80% of Australia’s gas
• Nurses and teachers pay more tax than the gas industry
• To date, not a single LNG project has paid a cent in Petroleum Resource Rent Tax

“With Christmas here and a cost-of-living crisis on, Minister King decided to write a piece supporting multinational gas companies,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Oddly for a Christmas piece, Minister King makes no mention of the gift that Australians give to gas companies, year in, year out – free gas.

“Australia got literally nothing for the gas that companies like Chevron, Exxon and Inpex sold for $149 billion over the last four years.

“Gas companies have tripled prices for Australians in recent years, by exporting the majority of the country’s gas. This has contributed directly to the tough Christmas many Australians are about to have.

“It is strange that while Australians are paying more money for their own gas, the Minister wants to write about gas somehow being good for the climate.

“More gas is bad for the climate. More gas exports are bad for Australian gas prices. Australians are being ripped off by the gas industry and they know it.

“Minister King’s use of the last media piece of the year to claim the opposite speaks volumes about her priorities as a Minister.

“Minister King says we need gas to firm renewables. The Australian Energy Market Operator and CSIRO say the opposite – that renewables are far cheaper than gas even with the cost of firming and additional transmission included. Battery costs fell 20% last year,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor to The Australia Institute.

“Minister King is ignoring the expertise of the Australian Energy Market Operator and CSIRO on gas just as Peter Dutton does on nuclear.

“Doubling down on gas won’t just wreck our climate, it will drive up energy bills for Australian households and businesses.

“Australia has an enormous opportunity to process critical minerals in Australia using renewable energy, not gas.

“It’s pretty simple, if we want to reduce emissions we have to burn less fossil fuels, not more. Gas is a fossil fuel that is making Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and natural disasters more frequent.”

The post Minister’s Christmas card to foreign gas companies – for whom every day is Christmas appeared first on The Australia Institute.

“Economic management is a full-time job yet the RBA is taking a two-month summer holiday,” said Greg Jericho, The Australia Institute’s Chief Economist.

“Michele Bullock and Jim Chalmers constantly tell us they’re ‘fine tuning’ the economy. That can’t be done with the RBA board all at the cricket.

“With so many Australians suffering, the RBA should cut short its holiday and come back to work in January.”

“The board is currently scheduled to meet on February 17 and 18. It should meet on January 20 and 21,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute.

“If it’s good enough for most Australians to be back at work by then, it’s good enough for the RBA.

“Christmas is a busy time for the economy. Its certainly a difficult, expensive time for consumers. There would be plenty to discuss in January.

“Mortgage holders shouldn’t have to wait one day longer than necessary for an interest rate cut which, let’s face it, is already long overdue.”

The post Rate cut already overdue: RBA should meet in January appeared first on The Australia Institute.

• 80% of gas produced in Australia is exported, mainly by multinational corporations, mostly royalty-free and paying zero Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.
• The Coalition’s policy appears to place no limits on exports, no gas reservation policy and may even “de-fang the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism”.
• Without addressing exports, or how to reduce household gas use, there will be no reduction energy bills.

“It beggars’ belief that the Coalition would propose cutting energy bills by making Australians more dependent on gas and the multinational gas companies that dominate the Australian gas market”, said Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The Australia Institute.

“If the Coalition is elected and revives the Morrison Government’s Gas Fired Recovery, Australians will be even more exposed to global gas prices, which will lead to higher energy bills in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

“Gas is already a far more expensive way of producing electricity than renewable energy. Making Australians even more dependent on gas will drive up energy bills for Australian households and businesses.

“To have increased Australians exposure to global gas prices once was a mistake. To do it again is reckless to say the least.”

The post Dutton revival of ‘gas fired recovery’ bad for households, great for gas companies appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The letter points out some stark facts about how Australia is a terrible neighbour to its Pacific family.

Key points of the open letter:

• Australia’s fossil fuel project approvals undermine the survival and security of Pacific Island communities.
• In September, Australia approved three coal mines which will create 1.4 billion tonnes of emissions, equivalent to the combined emissions from 12 Pacific Island nations for over 250 years.
• In December, Australia refused to reconsider three more coal mines, paving the way for their approval, which could add a further 850 million tonnes of emissions.
• Australia’s actions do not match its commitments to its Pacific neighbours and are contrary to its support as signatory to various Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ communiques.

“Pacific Island nations are already feeling the impact of climate change, with rising sea levels threatening their very existence,” said Leanne Minshull, Strategic Director at The Australia Institute.

“Intense cyclones, king tides and droughts are putting their coast lines, food chains and water supplies in danger.

“Prime Minister Albanese constantly refers to our ‘Pacific family’, travelling the Pacific and ensuring leaders he’s committed to climate change action.

“Then he returns home and leads a government that continues to approve some of the most destructive fossil fuel projects on earth.”

“The most effective climate action a major fossil fuel exporter like Australia can take is to stop approving new gas or coal mines. Until that happens, all other climate action is like trying to patch up a pool while filling it with water.”

The post Neighbour from hell – A Pacific plea to Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key points:

• Coal royalties have averaged only 2.4% of NSW Government revenue over the last decade.
• In 2023–24, coal royalties were 4.2% of total NSW Government revenue, with global coal prices pushed up by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• All coal resources in NSW are publicly owned, and royalties are the price that mining companies pay the public to extract the resource.
• Royalties do not fund specific programs — they are grouped with the rest of government revenue. This means that over the last decade, coal royalties have funded only 2.4% of every teacher or nurse.
• No money has yet been spent from the Royalties for Rejuvenation Fund, the NSW Government program which theoretically redirects royalties back to coal-producing regions.

“Coal companies and politicians keep telling us that coal royalties are huge, and that they fund schools, hospitals, and regional communities all across the state. This report shows that these claims simply aren’t true,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Coal royalties fund a tiny proportion of every school, hospital or regional community. They are not propping up the economy.

“The NSW public owns coal resources, but they aren’t getting their fair share of coal mining revenue. The real money is flowing into the pockets of big corporations.

“What’s more, the public bears the costs of coal mining: health costs from air pollution, the costs of rehabilitating coal mines, and the costs of climate change.

“NSW is one of the biggest coal exporters in the world. With higher royalties, the NSW Government could fund all sorts of much-needed public infrastructure and services.”

The post Coal royalties a tiny part of NSW Budget appeared first on The Australia Institute.

They’re led by high-profile officials who can regularly be found roaming the halls of Parliament House or along the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

They often appear in the media described as “peak bodies” whose purpose is to represent the interests of their members.

But do they really?
And is that all they do?

A new report examining 20 of Australia’s largest and most influential trade associations recommends lifting the lid on how these organisations spend members’ money … and calls for greater transparency around their relationships with politicians.

Key Findings:

There are potential misalignments between the interests of lobby groups and the shareholders of their member companies, including on:

• Climate action
• Public health
• Resistance to competition and regulation.

Recommendations: 

• Trade associations should be required to disclose their members and how much each member contributed.
• Requiring publicly-listed companies to secure shareholder approval of political donations and memberships of trade associations.
• Removing tax deductibility for trade association memberships and political advertising.

“Australians want more transparency regarding the lobbying activities of trade associations, especially where these extend to political donations and campaigns aimed at influencing government policy,” said Dr Monique Ryan, Federal Member for Kooyong. 

“They have little insight into the conduct of organisations which represent them professionally, many of which have no enforceable code of conduct.

“Companies should have to disclose payments made to trade associations to their shareholders, and their trade association memberships and political advertising should not be tax-deductible.

“The public shouldn’t be subsiding an industry lobbying on its own behalf on issues which may be against the public interest.”

“Corporations spend shareholder money on political campaigns that shareholders may not support or even know about – often by funnelling it through lobby groups to avoid taking responsibility for their spending,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Trade associations are powerful political lobbies that can change the direction of this country’s laws and help bring down governments – but little is known about their operations and funding.”

“There are misalignments between the interests of shareholders and the peak lobby groups being funded on their behalf.

“Misalignments include lobby groups overstating the contribution of their sector in order to win a social licence to operate; downplaying climate or public health risks; and exploiting political connections.”

“InfluenceMap’s analysis consistently finds that industry associations are engaged in advocacy on climate policy much more often than their member companies – and that they often take positions that are not aligned with the majority of their members,” said Jack Herring, Australia Lead at InfluenceMap.

“The Business Council of Australia is a key example of this, frequently advocating for the continued role of fossil fuels, including fossil gas, in Australia’s energy mix – contrary to the scientific consensus – and in doing so representing the interests of its oil and gas membership over other sectors.

“This research from The Australia Institute helps shine a light on those industry associations exerting the most influence over Australia’s policymaking process and makes a clear case for the need for improved disclosure requirements.”

“An increasing number of shareholders and investors are very concerned that coal and gas lobby groups seem to be stuck in time, refusing to recognise that their industries have hit their expiry date,” said Axel Dalman, Head of Research, Market Forces.

“Coal and gas industry associations are blocking progress on climate action that Australians want while pushing for more fossil fuels, endangering a safe environment and sustainable economy.

“Global investors are saying the Australian fossil fuel industry has its head stuck in the sand.”

The post Opaque, powerful and cashed-up – time to clean up the murky world of industry lobby groups appeared first on The Australia Institute.

“These are fake numbers so the major parties can have a fake fight about fake climate policies,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“The modelling released includes zero discussion of nuclear waste or the costs of decommissioning nuclear generation.

“Nuclear energy is not suitable for Australia’s energy market because it is expensive to build, can’t turn up or down quickly and the obvious nuclear waste problems.

“These issues are why no energy companies want to build nuclear in Australia, and key customers like aluminium smelters don’t want nuclear to be built for them.

“This is all a distraction to prolong fossil fuel use and exports.

“Just yesterday, a 50 year extension to Woodside’s enormous gas export facility was approved but it is barely covered because political leaders would rather talk about reactors that will never be built.

“Australia needs to get on with the job of cleaning up our industries using technologies that work – renewable energy.”

The post Nuclear costings are a distraction appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key impacts:

• 4.3 billion tonnes of emissions, the equivalent of 24 coal power stations with equivalent annual emissions of WA’s largest coal power station, Muja.
• Ongoing corrosion of the priceless petroglyphs at the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art site from acid gas emissions.
• Drive up energy prices for Western Australian households and businesses.

Woodside’s North West Shelf exports more than twice the amount of gas used by Western Australians, and is increasingly turning to WA’s domestic gas reserves to feed it as its offshore fields run out, with serious consequences for WA’s gas supply and energy prices.

Recently published Australia Institute analysis shows Woodside’s exports of WA’s domestic gas reserves have already led to a tripling of wholesale gas and electricity prices, and the extension will lock in those increases for decades.

“This is one of the most climate destroying projects anywhere in the world. It will make WA, and the rest of the world, hotter and drier, and increase the frequency and severity of fires, floods and other disasters,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The Australia Institute.

“Murujuga is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in the world. It is four times as old as Egypt’s Pyramids and eight times the age of Stonehenge. Other nations would never allow the degradation of such important cultural heritage.

“Woodside is running out of offshore gas, so it is coming after WA’s onshore domestic reserves. This has already tripled gas and electricity prices in WA, and this decision will lock those price increases for decades.

“Western Australian households and businesses will pay for this decision through higher energy bills.

“The WA government has again put the interests of multinational gas corporation Woodside ahead of the interests of Western Australians”.

The post WA Government greenlights Woodside gas export extension appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The research – which crunches the companies’ own data – reveals $755 of what an average AGL electricity customer forks out each year goes directly to profit for the company, which made more than a billion dollars last year.

Origin electricity customers pump $595 a year into the company’s annual profit, which was more than $2 billion last year.

It’s a similar story with gas. The average Origin customer pours $417.57 into the company’s annual profit. $414.04 of what an average AGL gas customer hands over each year is pure profit for the company.

The discussion paper, by The Australia Institute’s Senior Research Fellow David Richardson, also reveals that households are massively subsidising the bills of big businesses, with consumers paying more than double what businesses pay for a megawatt hour of electricity or gigajoule of gas.

Key findings:

• AGL makes $755.01 profit per customer, per year for household electricity
• Origin makes $595.25 profit per customer, per year for household electricity
• AGL makes $414.04 profit per customer, per year for household gas
• Origin makes $417.57 profit per customer, per year for household gas
• Between June 1995 and June 2024, electricity prices increased at more than twice the rate of inflation.
• Between June 1995 and June 2024 gas prices increased at three times the rate of inflation.
• For every $100 of an AGL customer’s electricity bill $35 is profit, $34 goes to “network costs” (such as the cost of using poles and wires), $15 goes to “other costs” (such as advertising) and just $12 is spent generating electricity. $4 covers “depreciation and amortisation”.
• Households pay more than double what AGL and Origin charge big business for the same unit of electricity.
• Households pay 3.2 times more for gas from AGL than business
• Households pay 2.5 times more for gas from Origin than business

“This is a clear case of price gouging by AGL and Origin. They are the Coles and Woolies of the energy sector,” said David Richardson, Senior Research Fellow at The Australia Institute.

“In the case of AGL, the data shows that just 12% of what consumers fork out goes to generating electricity. So, any claim that high fuel prices are responsible for the huge increase in electricity prices just doesn’t stack up.

“Just last week, the Australian Energy Market Operator revealed a record number of Australians are now on hardship plans to pay for their power and gas. At the same time, AGL and Origin are raking in billions of dollars in profits. Australian consumers are being ripped off at a time when they can least afford it.

“Between them, AGL and Origin made more than $3 billion in profits last year. Privatisation has made these monsters where market forces should never have been applied.”

The post Power gouge: how AGL and Origin are milking monster profits from battling families appeared first on The Australia Institute.

But, once again, the RBA has failed.

By leaving interest rates on hold at 4.35%, the Reserve Bank has failed to do what is right for Australians.

It has failed to do what is right for the economy.

And it has failed to learn from its own mistakes.

Australians have suffered unnecessarily for too long. Cutting interest rates would have eased that suffering. Cutting interest rates would have provided some sensible stimulus to an economy which has almost ground to a halt.

“The RBA’s interest rate settings have smashed households and smashed businesses,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute.

“Headline inflation is within the bank’s target band. What is it waiting for?

“Last year’s review of the Reserve Bank criticised it for keeping rates on hold for 30 meetings in a row, when a rate cut would have stimulated a stagnating economy. It’s happening again.

“An interest rate cut today would not have been an act of Christmas goodwill. It would have been an act of common sense.

“Now, thanks to the RBA, many Australian families face an unnecessarily bleak Christmas.”

The post RBA fails households and fails the nation – again appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The Minister is now considering two separate reviews which will decide whether the skate survives – or becomes extinct.

The reason the skate is facing extinction is because, in 2012, the salmon industry was allowed to undertake a massive expansion of fish farms in Macquarie Harbour, the Maugean skate’s only habitat. One third of the Harbour is part of the Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area and the skate is one of its natural values.

Pollution from these large, foreign-owned fish farms has led to severely depleted oxygen levels in the harbour’s waters.

Now, the powerful salmon lobby – grossly exaggerating its importance to the local economy – wants to be exempt from environmental laws.

A newspaper advertisement promoting the petition states: “The salmon industry in Tasmania is owned by three foreign corporations, including JBS, which has been convicted of corruption. None of their salmon farms have paid company tax in Australia since 2019 according to Australian Tax Office data.”

“Australians are not stupid. They are starting to see through the lies and spin of these powerful multinational corporations,” said Eloise Carr, Director, The Australia Institute Tasmania.

“Now we need Australians to ensure their politicians don’t fall for the misinformation being spread by these corporations pillaging Australian waters.

“We are asking for people who care about saving the skate from extinction, people who care about ensuring our government keep its promises, to sign our petition to end salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

“Of course we need to look after workers who would be affected. There are lots of ways we can do that, but there is only one way to save the skate.”

The post Australians urged to support Minister to keep her promise on “no more extinctions” appeared first on The Australia Institute.

In per capita terms, South Australia’s prosperity has improved twice as fast as the national average.

Yet, new research reveals state funding for services and infrastructure has not kept up with this growth.

State public sector workers have borne the brunt of this restraint: their wages have lagged far behind inflation, resulting in a painful real wage cut for thousands of employees.

South Australia enjoys a stable, diversified economic base and the state’s labour market has been operating at or near-record low levels of unemployment.

Unfortunately, this economic progress has not been reflected in improvements in state-funded public services.

A new research report by the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute shows that real wages for state public servants in SA have declined by as much as 10% since 2019.

“This represents a one-tenth reduction in the real purchasing power of their salaries, imposing severe financial stress on tens of thousands of households – and undermining consumer spending and economic growth,” said Jack Thrower, Research Economist at The Australia Institute.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. South Australia has abundant fiscal capacity to repair this damage to real compensation for public sector workers.

“Rebuilding public employees’ wages to catch up to past inflation should be a vital priority for the South Australian government.”

The post Left behind: South Australian public servants go backwards while the SA economy surges forward appeared first on The Australia Institute.

So, while it might be a season of joy, it’s also the season of waste, which is bad for the environment and bad for the hip pocket.

The Australia Institute surveyed 1,009 Australians between 13 and 15 November 2024 on issues relating to gift giving, consumption and spending habits during Christmas time. The margin of error is ±3%.

Key Findings:

Australians waste more than $1 billion on buying Christmas gifts for people that don’t get used.

Nearly one in two Australians (47%) do not think about how the gifts they buy for others will eventually be disposed of.

Over three in four Australians (77%) like buying gifts for people at Christmas, but over half of Australians (52%) would prefer it if people did not buy them gifts at Christmas.

A greater number of Australians buy gift wrapping paper (69%) than gift bags (52%). However, gift bags are more likely to be reused (65% of those who use gift bags reuse them) than wrapping paper (24% of those who use wrapping paper reuse it).

Nearly two in three Australians (64%) agree that it is better for the economy when people buy fewer things that don’t get used.

“Reducing waste at Christmas time is beneficial for the environment and can also help Australians feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis,” said Nina Gbor, Director, Circular Economy & Waste Program at The Australia Institute.

“Embracing the principles of a circular economy over the linear take-make-waste model could help bring a deeper meaning to Christmas.

“Surprising loved ones with meaningful gifts is a beautiful holiday ritual, however, many Australians do not want the gifts they receive.

“Both gift giver and receiver can enjoy Christmas even more with by knowing that the gifts we give and receive are needed, used with less likelihood of being discarded or ending up in landfill.

“In the amalgamation of the cost-of-living and environmental waste crises, we cannot afford to keep up a ritual that for the most part is not economically or logistically beneficial to the gift giver, receiver and, to make matters worse, contributes to environmental degradation.

The post Never used, never worn: the billion-dollar Christmas waste appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The Australia Institute challenges those making unsubstantiated claims to a debate about what needs to be done in Macquarie Harbour.

“It’s time to start calling out the lies, exaggeration and misinformation,” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“It’s factually incorrect to describe the industry in Macquarie Harbour as ‘small.’ Currently, 9,500 tonnes of salmon and trout come out of the harbour annually. The amount of nitrogen pollution this contribute to the harbour is the same as the sewage discharged from a city the size of Hobart.

“Dumping the equivalent of Hobart’s worth of sewage in a World Heritage-listed harbour has consequences. And the best-known is the impact on the endangered Maugean skate, a stingray-like creature that has been around since the dinosaurs and lives nowhere else in the world.

“The science could not be clearer: fish farming is the primary threat to the skate. That’s what Australia’s top scientists are telling us.

“The Tasmanian Government has a track record of ignoring problems until they blow up and this is no exception. It’s embarrassing. It’s now up to the Australian government, specifically the Environment Minister, if they want to keep ignoring the facts or take action to actually regulate the harmful impacts of this industry.”

The post Another day, another bumper catch of misinformation from the salmon industry appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key points:

● The NSW Government’s proposed Future Jobs and Investment Authorities for the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West regions aim to assist coal-reliant communities’ transition. But they are severely underfunded with a collective budget of just $5.2 million for all four authorities.

● These Authorities are not able to access increased funding from the Future Jobs and Investment Fund until 2028-29.

● Organisations devoted to promoting and prolonging the NSW coal industry, by contrast, have significantly more resources:

○ Coal Innovation NSW spent $27 million last year and has a balance of $45 million.

○ The coal industry organisation Low Emissions Technology Australia (LETA) is promoted as a $700 million fund. This fund is publicly subsidised, but recently asked to stop receiving contributions due to a significant surplus of funding.

The report calls for the abolition of Coal Innovation NSW and associated funds. It also recommends royalty deduction subsidies to LETA be immediately abolished.

“The NSW Government is far more focused on promoting coal than helping communities move away from it,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“The current approach undermines both the state’s emissions reduction efforts and the future of regional communities.

“What governments do is more important than what they say. Regional communities need funding to transition smoothly, but instead the lion’s share of government funding is used to promote speculative technologies that assist the coal industry.

“The NSW Government has the opportunity to lead the way by redirecting funds and ensuring these communities thrive in a post-coal economy. It should impose a moratorium on new coal projects, abolish Coal Innovation NSW and end royalty deductions for coal industry promotion.

“In contrast to the meagre funding in NSW, the German Coal Commission budgeted $3.4 billion per year to allow its regions to move past coal. This is what genuine climate leadership and caring for communities looks like. Unfortunately, the NSW Government has a long way to go.

“This research shows that the NSW Government is happy to use the budget to subsidise the coal industry, just as its response to the Newcastle coal port protests showed that it was happy to sacrifice democratic rights for the coal industry.”

“Coal mining has devastated our once-beautiful agricultural valley, damaging the environment and eroding the fabric of our community,” said Beau Blenman, a 7th generation Hunter Valley local who has worked in mining for over two decades.

“The toll from coal mining in the Hunter has been severe, from polluted air to degraded aquifers. Despite the government’s claims of caring about biodiversity, mining rehabilitation efforts here have been woefully inadequate.

“We’re witnessing our weather systems change while foreign-owned companies profit at the expense of our land and people.”

The post NSW government now spending more public money on coal boosting than coal transition appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Wholesale electricity prices in WA’s gas-dependent grid have also tripled. Much of the cost has been absorbed by WA taxpayers though household rebates and subsidies to Synergy.

The increase echoes the east coast experience where the decision to allow the export of onshore gas tripled within a few years, devastating manufacturing, driving up electricity prices and increasing household energy bills.

The proposed 50-year extension of Woodside’s NWS export terminal with access to WA domestic gas onshore reserves would lock in exposure to global prices indefinitely.

“Just another example of what the WA mining industry wants, the WA government gives – and (separately) what the WA government wants, the Federal government gives,” said Saul Eslake, one of the nation’s most respected independent economists. 

“It is astonishing the WA government caved into lobbying from the gas industry and repeated the mistake of east coast governments a decade ago, exposing the WA domestic gas market to global prices,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The Australia Institute.

“Gas producers are making windfall profits from higher gas prices paid by Western Australian households and businesses through their taxes and higher energy bills.

“The McGowan government’s decision to appease the gas industry and allow the export of WA’s domestic gas reserves is costing WA businesses and households dearly. Let’s hope the Premier Cook doesn’t repeat the mistake.

“If the government approves Woodside’s proposed 50-year extension of their NWS export terminal, they will lock in WA’s exposure to high global gas prices for decades.”

The post Triple trouble: WA wholesale gas and electricity prices soar since approval of onshore gas exports appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Minister Plibersek says she will listen to the science and follow the law. Australian government scientists are unequivocal that salmon farming is the key threat to the skate’s survival. Top Australian independent scientists have confirmed this. Scientists have also told us how to save the skate: stop salmon farming.

“Is anyone other than the AWU seriously suggesting we should not listen to science and not follow the law?” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“But, of course, if they want to do what the AWU says – as the elected government – that’s obviously their choice to make.

“Democracy is about choices. We used to hunt whales, log the Daintree and mine asbestos and all those industries created some jobs.

“There are lots of places where salmon can be grown but only one place in the world where the Maugean skate can live. If we chose a bit more salmon over the last of the dinosaur fish, then it speaks volumes about our priories.”

“It would not be difficult or expensive for governments to look after workers while also saving the skate. Dividing the recent $21 million taxpayer funded subsidy to the salmon industry among its workers could have instead been a payment of around $210,000 per worker.”

Before all of this we need to be dealing in facts. There is a lot of misinformation being spread in this debate.

TASMANIAN SALMON JOBS

By the salmon industry’s own admission, there are 109 salmon industry jobs in Macquarie Harbour. They’re not all local jobs, either, with some drive-in, drive-out workers.

“SHUTTING DOWN SALMON”

Macquarie Harbour comprises just 10% of local salmon production and 5% of jobs in the industry. Removing salmon farms from the harbour would not shut down the local salmon industry.

THE SALMON FARMS ARE FOREIGN-OWNED

This is not a local owned industry. It is dominated by three big players, all foreign owned. Tassal was bought out by Canadian company, Cooke Inc. Huon Aquaculture was bought out by JBS, based in Brazil and Sealord is New Zealand/Japanese owned. As a result, the profits of these companies go offshore, and they don’t pay tax here. So … big money, free pollution of a World Heritage Area and no tax.

JOBS “SUPPORTED BY” SALMON

Statements like ‘supported by’ require further consideration. Lots of other industries support regional businesses like bakeries, cafes, general stores, mechanics and so on. These jobs do not rely on the salmon industry as the industry would like people to believe. Tourism on the west coast employs far more people than fish farming and would be negatively impacted if Maugean skate became extinct.

WHAT TASMANIANS WANT

Tasmanians want fish farms out of inshore waters. Suggesting only inner-city mainlanders are the only ones who want to protect this World Heritage Area is a lie. The Australia Institute has polled mainland Australians and Tasmanians several times. 7 in 10 Tasmanians want the government to follow the science and save the skate.

The post Tasmania’s great skate debate – cutting through lies and misinformation appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The ICJ is hearing pleadings in response to a UN General Assembly request last year for an opinion on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change.” Advisory opinions of the ICJ are non-binding but are legally and politically persuasive.

The Australian argument relied heavily upon existing multi-lateral agreements such as the Paris agreement and that, in effect, this and other treaties displaces all other international law.

Central to case before the ICJ is the customary obligation of prevention. On this, Australia argued that the rule of prevention does not apply to harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions. According to Australia’s pleading, emissions cannot meet the conventional test that harm must involve a direct and proximate harm from an identifiable source spreading from one state to another, such as pollution flowing through a river from one state to another. Further, the harm from greenhouse gas emissions is from the cumulative build up; historic emissions from multiple state and countless individual actors. Harm is widespread and not localised.

The Australian government also argued that there was no international agreed or consistent view of how to apply the rule of prevention in the context of greenhouse gas emissions.

States have not been able to agree on how to apply the rule of prevention in multi-lateral forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Chante (UNFCCC). As such, the international court should not try to extend the rule of prevention to greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, Australia argued if the rule of prevention does apply; compliance with UNFCCC and the Paris agreement already meet any prevention requirements.

“The fact the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ last year for an opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change, is proof that a significant number of nation states are not satisfied with current multi-lateral agreements and are seeking a legal opinion, unconstrained by obligations to protect national interests that bind negotiators at forums such as the UNFCCC”, said Leanne Minshull, Strategic Director of the Australia Institute.

“Listening to the oral pleadings of Australia and it’s consistent referral to existing multilateral agreements, it felt as though they were saying to the court – relax we already have this under control. Whether it’s Australians facing a climate fuelled cost of living crisis, or a Pacific islander watching their country be washed away – ordinary people understand, we don’t have this under control.

“As an Australian, I would have liked to hear our government plead a case that looked for global solutions rather than rely on sophistry to limit our legal obligations to ourselves and others.”

The post Australia argues against developing international law to meet the unique existential threat of climate change appeared first on The Australia Institute.

It finds that wealthy, coastal areas of major cities are generally less vulnerable to extreme heat than inland suburbs, and that rural areas are generally more vulnerable than urban areas.

Extreme heat is the number one cause of weather-related illness and death in all parts of Australia, except Tasmania, and Australians on low incomes who are older and/or have a long-term health issue are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat.

Doctors for the Environment Australia say the research is a vital tool which will help governments to save lives.

Key findings:

• The top 10 locations most vulnerable to extreme heat are: Mt. Isa (QLD), Katherine (NT), Charters Towers (QLD), Broken Hill (NSW), Barcaldine – Blackall (QLD), Port Pirie (SA), Alligator (NT), Humpty Doo (NT), Mildura (North) (VIC), and Derby (WA). Half of these are in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
• The states and territories most vulnerable to extreme heat are the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. In the Northern Territory, 78% of locations are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, as are 57% of locations in South Australia and 52% of locations in Western Australia.
• In all major cities, outer suburban locations are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat than inner-city and coastal locations.
• By 2025, the Northern Territory will experience an estimated 232 days of extreme heat (over 35°C) every year.

“Climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities and disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable Australians. We need policies – on climate and social services – that reduce this inequality,” said Morgan Harrington, Research Manager at The Australia Institute.

“Immediate and targeted action on climate change, including phasing out the use of fossil fuels, will help slow the rate at which Australia warms. Reducing fossil fuel subsidies could free up resources to help fund initiatives to lessen inequality, including by providing support to vulnerable people during heatwaves.”

“We still have choice. We can take climate action now to avoid the number of extreme heat days from increasing, or we can deal with the consequences later.”

“Heat is a fast-emerging health crisis,” said Dr Kate Wylie, Executive Director of Doctors for the Environment Australia and Adelaide-based GP.

“Dangerous heat places extra strain on our bodies and leads to increasing hospitalisations and deaths.

“Those who are hit the hardest are older people, babies, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as those living in poorly insulated homes, in areas with little shade, people in cities and renters.

“This Australia Institute report is a needed resource for identifying areas where the most vulnerable Australians will be affected by extreme heat, and it will save lives.

“The report is also a potent reminder that the world is getting ever hotter and that we must reduce the temperature to protect our health. To do this we must phase out fossil fuels, which are the major drivers of worsening climate change and the hotter more chaotic weather we’re seeing in Australia and around the world.”

The post Extreme heat fans flames of inequality appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Scientific evidence shows salmon farming operations are the primary risk and ‘almost certain’ to be ‘catastrophic’ to the skate.

The Australia Institute commissioned polling by Dynata, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,009 Australians between 13 and 15 November 2024 about their attitudes towards fish farming in Macquarie Harbour where it is putting the endangered Maugean skate at risk of extinction. The margin of error is ±3%.

Key findings:

• Nearly three in five Australians (58%) support stopping fish farming in areas where it is putting the endangered Maugean skate at risk of extinction. One in six (17%) oppose. This is similar to the 61% who supported this in 2023. The same proportion of Australians (17%) opposed the measure in 2023.
• The majority of Australians across all voting intentions, except One Nation voters, support stopping fish farming in areas where it is putting the Maugean skate at risk of extinction. Support is highest among Greens voters (74%), followed by Labor (58%) and Coalition (54%) voters.

“Saturday marks 12 months since the review of fish farming in Macquarie Harbour began. A decision from Minister Plibersek is urgently needed if we are to prevent the extinction of Maugean skate in its only home and return the harbour’s ecosystem to health,” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“After a year of waiting, our research shows that Australians support what the science is telling us we need to do: stop salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. A majority of voters from across the political spectrum support this.

“This is a matter of national environmental significance, not only because the endangered skate is protected under national environmental law, but also because it is one of the natural values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. A third of the harbour is World Heritage. What happens to the skate and the health of the harbour is of global significance.

“Numerous Tasmanian polls show more than 7 in 10 Tasmanians want fish farms out of sensitive inshore waters, now this survey confirms Australians also want action on this matter of national environmental significance.”

“The science could not be clearer. Top Australian independent scientists have confirmed this to Minister Plibersek. Salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour has been identified by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee as the key threatening process for the endangered Maugean skate. The best available evidence concludes unacceptable impacts from salmon farming are occurring.

“The Minister’s own Department has advised her that fish farming in Macquarie Harbour is ‘almost certain’ to have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on Maugean skate and should have been removed before last summer.”

“National environment law requires a decision from federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek ‘as soon as practicable’ on the reconsideration of the 2012 decision that allowed large scale salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. The Minister has had 12 months to make that decision, yet we still do not have an outcome.”

The post Tide of public opinion supports stopping fish farming in Macquarie Harbour appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The changes would significantly benefit Labor and the Coalition, giving them a huge financial advantage over independents and minor party candidates seeking a seat in the Australian Parliament.

The Australia Institute petition, launched just over a week ago, states:

Trust in our democracy is embedded in strong electoral laws and processes.

The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill risks undermining this trust by being unfair, rushed, and shrouded in secrecy.

We call on you to immediately establish a parliamentary inquiry, with public hearings, to assess the proposed changes to Australia’s electoral laws.

This must happen before major changes to Australian electoral law are put to Parliament for a vote.

The petition has attracted more than 18,000 signatures.

In the past, even small changes to our electoral system have been scrutinised by a parliamentary committee. Petitioners agree that should happen before these proposed changes are passed.

“The integrity of Australian elections is too important for the Albanese government’s proposed changes to be rushed through without scrutiny, including a thorough parliamentary inquiry,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Politicians voting together to give political parties more money will reduce trust in government unless the public is included in the process.

“The legislation has been public for less than two weeks, but politicians have already spotted loopholes to get around the donation cap. The Australia Institute also identifies major issues around how the spending cap is applied and the taxpayer-funded windfall for the major parties.

“A delay until February or after the next election leaves time for an inquiry with public contributions on a fair and democratic funding model for Australian politics.”

The post Electoral reform impasse provides opportunity for real scrutiny – which voters demand appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Approval would expose WA’s domestic gas market to global gas prices, repeating the policies that have created havoc in east coast markets. This would permanently increase both gas and electricity bills for households and businesses in WA.

“Woodside is asking for a 50-year extension of one of the largest fossil fuel projects in the world,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The Australia Institute.

“This decision would add billions of tonnes of emissions into our atmosphere, making heatwaves, droughts and floods more frequent and extreme in WA and the rest of the world.

“If the WA Government caves into lobbying from the gas industry it will expose WA consumers to global prices.

“This would be a repeat of the mistake of east coast governments a decade ago that led to chaos in east coast markets.

“Western Australian households and businesses will pay with higher energy bills for decades if the government kowtows to Woodside.”

The post WA Labor approval of Woodside North West Shelf extension would permanently increase energy bills appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key findings:

• The proposed laws have not been the subject of a Parliamentary Inquiry. These are normal for even minor changes to electoral laws, and these changes are among the largest ever in the state.
• The South Australian government conducted a secret, internal consultation; later reporting confirmed that the majority of submissions it received were opposed to the proposed laws.
• The government’s independent review recommended administrative funding be decreased, from $1.4 million a year for each major party to $1.2 million. Instead, it was increased to $1.6 million.
• This alone gives Labor and Liberal an additional $3.2 million every four years.
• The proposed laws increase major party administrative funding in South Australia by 66 times compared to 10 years ago.
• The proposed laws introduce “nominated entities” to grandfather in assets of major parties.
• There is no principled reason for the special allowance for parties with exactly two MPs; it exists only to paper over the fundamental problems with a per-MP funding model.

“Behind Premier Malinauskas’ proposed ban on most political donations is around $18 million in new taxpayer funding for political parties and candidates; the vast majority goes to the two major parties,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“This legislation will make election campaigns and politicking in South Australia bigger and more expensive than ever – but with the public picking up most of the tab.

“In the house of review, parliamentarians described these dramatic changes to South Australian democracy as ‘rushed’, ‘a bit of a leap of faith’, an ‘election vanity project’, ‘Hobson’s choice’ and ‘Sophie’s choice’. That should set off alarm bells that this risky experiment needs to be rethought.

“The South Australian Parliament should test the robustness of this proposal through a Parliamentary Inquiry, at the very least.

“Trust is earned, and South Australia’s parliamentarians can earn public trust by subjecting new money for politicians to the same scrutiny as they would any other law.”

The post South Australian electoral experiment deserves much closer scrutiny appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The report also reveals Australians grossly overestimate what some of our biggest polluters really contribute to the economy, in terms of tax, royalties and employment in Australia.

Overall, voters believe the government is not doing enough to combat climate change, especially when it comes to verifying and explaining claims of “net zero” or “carbon neutrality”.

Key findings:

• 70% of Australians support a polluter-pays mechanism
• 50% think the government is not doing enough to tackle climate change
• 70% say gas companies should pay royalties on the gas they extract and sell
• Australians think gas and oil companies pay 55 more tax (Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, aimed at making companies pay for the natural resources they extract and sell) than they actually pay
• 52% of Australian oppose subsidies for the expansion of the coal, oil and gas industries
• Three quarters (75%) of Australians believe the nation’s climate policy should be based on best-practice science, free from industry influence
• Almost two-thirds (64%) want credible action to address fossil fuel production – in line with a commitment made at COP28 – if Australia is to co-host the COP31 summit in 2026

“Politicians seem to think the cost-of-living crisis has led to voters to take their eyes off the ball when it comes to climate change. This report proves that is not the case,” said Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of The Australia Institute.

“Even though Australians are doing it tough with high interest rates, high prices and high inflation, a huge majority still want meaningful action on climate change and believe governments are not doing enough.

“The Climate of the Nation report has repeatedly shown the vast majority of Australians want our biggest polluters to pay for the damage they do.

“They think gas and oil companies pay huge amounts of tax and employ huge numbers of people. This could not be further from the truth. While these wealthy multi-nationals make huge profits selling Australia’s natural resources overseas, many pay little or no company tax.

“Australians want governments to listen to the science and take action to protect the environment, not protect those making huge profits destroying the environment.”

The post Pay up: Australians say it’s time big polluters paid for the damage they do to the environment appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Growing your own helps cut down waste during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with almost two thirds of growers composting or worm farming, preventing mountains of food waste from ending up in landfill.

On Tuesday November 26, Australia’s favourite gardener, Costa Georgiades, will join independent MP Sophie Scamps, along with representatives from The Australia Institute and Grow it Local to launch Grow Your Own 2024 – Growing food to feel better, eat better and help the planet.

Please join us for a symbolic seed-planting and media conference in the Senate Courtyard at 9:45am.

The groundbreaking new research found:

• 45% of Australians now grow their own food.
• The most common reasons for growing food are to access healthy food (69%) and to save money (60%).
• Of those who do grow their own food, 84% grow vegetables and 55% grow fruit trees/herbs.
• 67% of growers also compost food waste or have their own worm farm. That saves 361,000 tonnes – the equivalent of seven Sydney Harbour Bridges – from going into landfill.
• Of those who don’t grow their own food, around two-thirds say they’d like to, but don’t have the space or knowledge to do so.
• Victorians (48%) lead the nation when it comes to growing their own food, followed by Queensland (43%), WA (41%) and NSW (38%).
• The health benefits are not just physical. More than two thirds of people who grown their own food say it makes them happier and more relaxed.
• Nearly half (49%) of growers say they eat more fresh produce as a result of growing their own food.

“One of the best things you can do for your health and for the health of the planet is to grow your own food,” said Dr Sophie Scamps, Federal Member for Mackellar.

“Getting active in the garden is great for both mental and physical wellbeing, and homegrown, pesticide-free fruit and veggies are tastier, boost your health and trim your budget.

“It also cuts down plastic and transport pollution. My prescription for a healthy family and planet is to grow your own food.”

“Don’t underestimate the power of growing small amounts of food in large numbers,” said Costa Georgiadis, National Patron of Grow It Local.

“It connects us to nature, to our communities and to ourselves.

“Growing food is equal doses of nature, nutrition and mental wellbeing. It’s good for the body, mind and soul.”

“Growing your own food is a great way to access fresh produce and promote health, relaxation and happiness,” said Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of The Australia Institute.

“We’ve found that people who start growing food develop a greater appreciation for food and waste less,” said Paul West, Grow It Local Co-Founder.

The post Millions of Australians plant a seed for a healthy life and a healthy planet appeared first on The Australia Institute.

In a report released in July, the Human Rights Law Centre found there had been 49 laws passed over the last two decades eroding Australians’ right to protest – many aimed at those protesting inaction on climate change.

The Australia Institute polling reveals voters from all parties agree that peaceful protest has a right to play in our democracy, including 79% of Labor voters, 75% of Coalition voters and 73% of One Nation voters.

Key findings

• Seven in 10 Australians (71%) support federal legislation to protect the right to peaceful protest
• Four in five of those aged 18–29 (80%) support legislation protecting the right to protest
• Four in five Australians (79%) agree peaceful protest has a role to play in Australia’s democracy

“Peaceful protest has an essential role to play in democracy and it played a major role in helping women win the right to vote, ending Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and protecting significant parts of Australia’s history and culture such as The Rocks,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“It is clear that a majority of Australians support the right to peaceful protest, even if they don’t always agree with each individual protest.

“The Australian Parliament and police forces should make clear their support for the right to peaceful protest rather than simply provide commentary on individual protests and protesters they do not agree with.

“Vocal opposition to peaceful environmental protesters and strategic silence about other protests is no way to protect the rights of Australians or our fragile democratic culture.”

The post Australians overwhelmingly support the right to peaceful protest appeared first on The Australia Institute.

It finds that restrictive visa settings are at the root of the many cases of exploitation. This includes the fact that PALM workers are not allowed to leave their employer without approval from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). These employers are allowed to make deductions from the wages of PALM workers, which means they are sometimes left with just $100-$200 per week.

Over two years, IARC participated in a series of forums for migrant workers engaged in supplying Australia’s two major supermarkets with fruit and vegetables. IARC also regularly advises PALM workers referred to the service as a result of experiencing workplace exploitation.

Key findings

• PALM workers are regularly threatened with deportation by their employer, which underscores the lack of information they receive about their visa status and workplace rights.
• PALM workers in Bundaberg, QLD, were unable to meet basic living standards, leading them to sleep rough and line up at soup kitchens.
• In the Riverina region of NSW, most PALM workers that had ‘disengaged’ from the scheme had left their employer as a result of exploitation.

The report, entitled ‘Preventing Migrant Worker Exploitation in Australia’, was prepared for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Professor Tomoya Obokata, who is in Australia on a two week visit that will end with a press conference in Canberra on November 27.

Key recommendations

• All visa holders (including PALM visa holders) should be free to change employers without jeopardising their visa pathway.
• Migrant workers wishing to stay in Australia long-term should be able to apply for permanent residency without needing to be sponsored by an employer.
• Specialist immigration community legal centres should receive greater funding to advise exploited migrant workers on their immigration options and workplace rights.

The report and its recommendations build on research by The Australia Institute, which found:

• The number of PALM workers who are injured or die whilst in Australia is increasing. Between 2020 and 2023, there were 233 critical injuries and 45 deaths.
• PALM visa holders often pay more in tax than Australians doing the same work.
• Many PALM visa holders find it almost impossible to access their superannuation once they leave Australia.

On a recent visit to Australia as a guest of The Australia Institute, Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said the PALM visa system was exploitative and needed urgent reform.

“PALM workers come to Australia to work, and to provide a better life for their families back home, but too often Australia fails them,” said Joshua Strutt, CEO and Principal Solicitor of IARC.

“Many PALM workers endure shocking exploitation at the hands of Australian employers, including severe workplace injuries, horrendous living conditions, and significant underpayments.

“We have seen PALM workers who have gone blind and lost limbs in Australian workplaces due to not being provided with proper safety equipment or medical care. The PALM visa scheme is complicit in this exploitation as it forces people into working for these employers and makes it almost impossible to leave.”

“The PALM program subjects people from Pacific Island nations and East Timor to conditions that would be illegal for other workers,” said Morgan Harrington, Research Manager at The Australia Institute.

“If our government is genuine about forging partnerships with our neighbours then the program needs to provide genuine opportunities.”

The post Visa rules risk modern slavery for Pacific workers appeared first on The Australia Institute.

If the average worker was paid for the real hours they worked, they’d be almost $300 per fortnight better off, with an extra $7,713 in their pockets each year.

It all adds up to a staggering $91 billion a year being denied to Australian workers – which is 1.7 times more than the federal government spends on education.

The updated research found that, ironically, workers are hungry for more paid hours, likely due to soaring interest rates, grocery prices, energy bills and rents.

The annual survey, released for Go Home On Time Day today, found that more than a third of bosses still expect staff to work more than their rostered hours … for nothing.

Right to Disconnect laws came into effect in August and will be extended to employees of small businesses next August.

Go Home on Time Day is an initiative by the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute, now into its 16th year.

• Key findings:
  The average worker performs 3.6 hours unpaid overtime each week. Full-time employees average 4.1 hours a week.
• Workers aged 18 to 29 do most unpaid overtime, average 4.4 hours per week.
• A staggering 70% of people who work unpaid overtime say their bosses expect them to work extra hours.
• 42% of workers say the extra hours make them physically tired, while 32% say they’re stressed or anxious. 29% say the unpaid overtime interferes with their personal life or relationship. More than 1 in 5 say it leaves them sleep-deprived.
• The most common reasons for working extra hours are too much work (41%) and staff shortages (31%).

“Our research shows that unpaid overtime is robbing Australian workers of over $91 billion dollars per year, adding to cost-of-living pressures, interfering with family life and reducing wellbeing for millions” said Fiona Macdonald, Acting Director, Centre for Future Work.

“The Go Home on Time survey shows that employers’ expectations and demands are driving workers to do millions of hours of overtime for free, at the same time as many workers want more paid hours.”

“While availability creep continues to erode work and life boundaries for millions of workers, new Right to Disconnect laws may already be having a positive effect as we have seen some reductions in unpaid overtime compared with previous years.”

The post Go Home on Time Day 2024: Exposing the $91 billion rip-off smashing exhausted Aussie workers appeared first on The Australia Institute.

With the government on the verge of rushing laws into the House of Representatives today, 1,009 people were asked if a major change to electoral law should be reviewed by a multi-party parliamentary committee first.

Key findings: 

• Four in five (81%) agree that major changes to electoral law should be reviewed by a multi-party committee, including a third (33%) who strongly agree. Just 5% disagree.
• Major party voters are most likely to agree that major changes to electoral law should be reviewed by a multiparty committee: 83% of Labor and Coalition voters agree, as do four in five Greens voters (80%), three in four Independent/Other voters (76%) and two in three One Nation voters (66%).

“The integrity of Australian elections is too important for the Albanese government’s proposed changes to be rushed through without scrutiny, including a thorough parliamentary inquiry,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program. 

“Politicians voting together to give political parties more money will reduce trust in government unless the public is included in the process.

“The changes are not due to start until the election after next, around 2028, so why the unseemly haste to pass them in the last sitting weeks of the year?

“When similar changes have been introduced at the state level, they have had perverse outcomes including giving political parties preferential treatment over independents; funding some parties excessively while not funding others at all; and allowing major parties to ‘pile in’ to target seats in defiance of spending caps.

“Major political parties run about 200 candidates each federal election, many of whom have no chance of winning, so any ‘per candidate’ limit on donations or spending affects independent candidates far more than it does the parties.

“Better donation disclosure laws and truth in political advertising are tried and tested policies, and could be passed for this election, while changes that could make Australian elections less competitive are sent to a parliamentary inquiry. This would also allow parliament to consider public funding models that give voters control over how their money is distributed, like the democracy voucher system developed in the City of Seattle.

“The devil is in the detail – loopholes in how donations are defined could end up allowing some vested interests an outsized level of influence on political parties and their policies.”

The post New polling reveals overwhelming opposition to rushing through political donation laws appeared first on The Australia Institute.

• The Albanese Government has announced the broad strokes of its plans to introduce:
  • Donation caps (how much can be given to parties and candidates)
  • Expenditure caps (how much parties and candidates can spend)
  • Increase public funding (taxpayer money going to parties and candidates).
• Changes to electoral law often have perverse outcomes:
  • Existing public funding models used in Australia already unfairly advantage sitting MPs and established parties over challengers and new entrants.
  • Donation caps fail to prevent cash-for-access payments to ministers and shadow ministers.
  • Spending caps allow major parties to concentrate their spending on target seats, in effect allowing them to outspend independent candidates in that seat.
  • Existing donation caps in Victoria have already concentrated power among a small group of people.
• The Australia Institute has identified nine principles for fair political finance reform that should be satisfied before any changes are made.
• Australia Institute polling research finds that three in five Australians oppose public funding for political parties and candidates, and seven in 10 oppose increased public funding, but there are alternative funding models.

“The integrity of Australian elections is too important for the Albanese government’s proposed changes to be rushed through without scrutiny, including a thorough parliamentary inquiry,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Politicians voting together to give political parties more money will reduce trust in government unless the public is included in the process.

“The changes are not due to start until the election after next, around 2028, so why the unseemly haste to pass them in the last sitting weeks of the year?”

“When similar changes have been introduced at the state level, they have had perverse outcomes including giving political parties preferential treatment over independents; funding some parties excessively while not funding others at all; and allowing major parties to ‘pile in’ to target seats in defiance of spending caps.

“Major political parties run almost 200 candidates each federal election, many of whom have no chance of winning, so any ‘per candidate’ limit on donations or spending affects independent candidates far more than it does the parties.

“Better donation disclosure laws and truth in political advertising are tried and tested policies, and could be passed for this election, while changes that could make Australian elections less competitive are sent to a parliamentary inquiry. This would also allow parliament to consider public funding models that give voters control over how their money is distributed, like the democracy voucher system developed in the City of Seattle.”

“The devil is in the detail – loopholes in how donations are defined could end up allowing some vested interests an outsized level of influence on political parties and their policies.”

The post Rushed changes to federal political donation laws could hinder, not enhance, democracy appeared first on The Australia Institute.

But, in return for the critical work they do to keep some sectors of our agriculture industry afloat, PALM visa holders pay more tax than Australians doing the same work and find it almost impossible to access their superannuation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese consistently talks about being part of a “Pacific Family”, lauding the PALM program as a key component of that close regional relationship.

But this new report finds the PALM program is in urgent need of reform if Australia is to truly treat these workers like family.

Key Findings:

• PALM visa holders often pay more in tax, in both wages and compulsory superannuation contributions, than Australian residents in the same jobs.
• PALM workers could be paying an estimated $184m in tax each year to the Australian government — a fifth of the $920m Australia paid in ‘support’ to participating Pacific nations this year.
• It is almost impossible for PALM visa workers to access their superannuation entitlements once they return to their home countries, meaning they are likely missing out on millions in unclaimed entitlements.
• If they do manage to access their entitlements, they are taxed at a rate that takes away more than a third of their superannuation.
• Recommended reforms include automatically transferring superannuation payments to workers’ home countries or paying superannuation entitlements directly to workers as they are unlikely to retire in Australia.

“Pacific workers come to Australia to do hard jobs that Australians don’t want to do, like fruit picking and meat packing. But they are overtaxed and exploited for the pleasure,” said Gemma Killen, Research Manager at The Australia Institute and co-author of the report.

“It is alarming that vulnerable workers who do not earn very much money are paying more tax than Australian residents who do the same work. It is equally alarming that these workers struggle to access their super once leaving the country.

“The PALM scheme is often framed in terms of mutual benefit but, in reality, the economic benefits are weighted heavily in Australia’s favour. The Australian government claims to be a friend to Pacific countries but is not treating Pacific workers accordingly.

“The Australian government could easily reform the system so that workers are paid more and face less administrative burdens to access their payments.”

The post No way to treat family: Pacific Labourers overtaxed and exploited appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Research from the Australia Institute identified major problems with the proposed laws. Any changes to South Australian democracy should still be subject to a Parliamentary review.

Key points:

• In June, the South Australian Government proposed legislation that would ban most political donations and dramatically increase public funding for parties and incumbent MPs.
• Unlike most changes to electoral laws, the proposed changes have not gone to a public inquiry. They have only been subject to a secret consultation, and the South Australian government refuses to publish the submissions to that consultation.
• There are some improvements in the revised bill, including a higher donation cap for new entrants and addressing the “funding trap” for existing small parties and recontesting independents.
• However, the revised bill also ignores expert advice by increasing spending on the major parties instead of reducing it and rejecting administrative funding for new entrants.
• The Australia Institute estimates that the proposed new public funding would cost South Australians $15 to $20 million per four-year electoral cycle, about three-quarters of which would go to the Liberal and Labor parties, and only about 1% to new entrants.
• The revised bill introduces two loopholes to the donation ban:
  • MPs and political staffers can still pay a “levy” to their party. Historically, these levies have been worth more than the large political donations coming from vested interests and wealthy donors.
  • Nominated entities that can continue to donate to the major parties. The equivalent of those in Victoria are the subject of a potential constitutional challenge.

“Politicians voting together to give political parties more money will reduce trust in government unless the public is included in the process,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Far from getting money out of South Australian politics, these new laws usher in record-breaking spending – including an additional $15 million or more of public money.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas says that this legislation has ‘broad support in the community’ – so why won’t the South Australian Government publish submissions the community made to the secret consultation?

“The government’s original legislation was undemocratic, unfair and potentially unconstitutional, and needed major revisions.

“Australia Institute research highlighted many issues with the original bill, and we appreciate that some – like the “funding trap” for minor parties and the low donation cap for new entrants – have been improved. However, more and graver shortcomings have since been introduced – including unjustified sums of public money being spent on political parties and MPs.

“The only way to give South Australians confidence that the revised bill fixes these problems is by holding a public inquiry with public hearings.

“Trust is earned, and South Australia’s parliamentarians can earn public trust by subjecting new money for politicians to the same scrutiny as they would any other law.”

The post New SA political donation laws: An undemocratic process which will not increase trust in politicians appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key points:

• The Albanese government said $21 million will go towards improving and scaling up oxygenation in Macquarie Harbour to “help offset the effects of human activities”.
• An additional $7 million will go towards the breeding program for the Maugean skate.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was ‘essential we have a sustainable [aquaculture] industry’ but this simply isn’t possible in Macquarie Harbour,” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“The Albanese Government is choosing to prop up a harmful industry with more than $21 million, rather than requiring this industry to modernise and get out of Macquarie Harbour.

“The salmon industry doesn’t pay tax and employs fewer than 1% of Tasmanians. Our governments should make corporations pay their fair share and be sustainable.

“The salmon industry should go onshore, like other sustainable aquaculture in Australia.

“Minister Plibersek is required to listen to the science in her overdue EPBC Act decision.”

The post Albanese government rewards foreign company for driving endangered species towards extinction appeared first on The Australia Institute.

New data, released today by the Australian Automobile Association, reveals sales of fully electric vehicles fell by 25% in the three months to September.

Vehicle emissions account for almost 20% of the state’s overall emissions.

While the biggest obstacle for choosing an electric vehicle is the upfront cost, the government’s EV policies are almost entirely focused on expanding and improving charging infrastructure.

The Australia Institute surveyed 800 NSW residents between 6 September and 10 September 2024. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

Key findings:

• A majority of NSW residents (51%) are considering an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
• NSW residents’ primary motivations for EV adoption include:
  • Helping tackle climate change/reduce carbon emissions (58%)
  • Avoiding paying for petrol (57%)
• NSW resident’s major obstacles to EV purchases include:
  • The upfront cost of an EV (60%)
  • The availability of charging infrastructure (47%)
• A majority of NSW residents support EV policies, including:
  • A government-built network of charging stations (70%)
  • Requiring new apartment developments to include EV charging stations (67%)
  • Rebates for installation of charging stations (65%)
  • Direct subsidies to reduce upfront cost of EVs (64%)

“The NSW state government is missing the mark when it comes to helping people get behind the wheel of an electric car,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute.

“Motorists want to do the right thing by the environment, while also avoiding the financial burden of filling up at the petrol station. The problem is that the cost of switching to an EV is seen as a serious barrier.

“While the NSW government has made a good start in encouraging the uptake of EVs, scrapping the $3,000 upfront subsidy and the exemption from stamp duty is a step backwards.

“Our research shows the need for a recalibration of NSW’s EV policies to better align with public sentiment and address the primary barriers to EV adoption.”

The post Unplugged: NSW government EV Strategy failing, as sales fall appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Woodside estimates the extension will add over 90 million tonnes of emissions to the atmosphere every year and 4.3 billion tonnes over its lifetime, making a mockery of the state – and nation’s – net zero ambitions.

WA Labor’s decision to stop regulation of emissions for large projects will help clear the way for Woodside’s extension.

The facility also produces acid gas emissions that are corroding the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art, one of the world’s most important cultural heritage sites.

Woodside doesn’t have sufficient offshore gas to feed the North West Shelf export capacity, and is increasingly exporting WA’s domestic gas reserves to feed it, depleting WA’s finite domestic reserves and exposing Western Australians to high global prices.

The decision to approve the extension will:

• Add up to 90 million tonnes of emissions to the atmosphere annually, 4.3 billion tonnes over its lifetime.
• Continue degrading the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art from acid gas emissions.
• Deplete WA’s finite onshore domestic gas reserves.
• Expose the WA domestic gas market to high global gas prices for decades, increasing gas prices for households and industry.
• Drive the cost of producing electricity in WA’s highly gas dependent grid.
• Provide little economic benefit to Western Australians.

“Woodside’s North West Shelf extension is one of the largest proposed gas projects in the world. Approving it will make WA and the rest of the world hotter and drier, and make floods and other disasters more frequent and extreme,’ said Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The Australia Institute.

“The spectacular Murujuga rock is one of the world’s most important cultural heritage sites. It is five times as old as the pyramids and eight times older than Stonehenge. It is an outrage that Woodside are being allowed destroy it with acid gas emissions from NWS.

“Woodside is running out of offshore gas and now it’s coming for WA’s domestic gas reserves. This will expose Western Australian households, businesses and taxpayers to high global gas prices and drive up electricity prices.

“The WA Government is meant to represent the interests of Western Australians, not multinational oil and gas corporations trying to export as much of our gas as they can price gouge us for the gas they do supply.”

The post Approving Woodside’s 50-year gas export extension will wreck the climate, destroy priceless Indigenous art and drive up WA energy bills appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key details:

• The inquiry into Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry was called after serious problems in the consulting industry came to light.

• The inquiry report recommends:

  • Continuing the ban on PwC tenders for government work until all ongoing investigations have been completed.
  • Limiting partnerships to no more than 400 partners.
  • Professional standards and regulations for consultants.
  • Applying the Corporations Act to large partnerships.
  • Greater alignment of whistleblower protections and applying those protections to large audit, accounting and consulting firms.
  • “Operational separation” of audit services from other services to the same client.

• Most of the recommendations, including some of the most important, received multi-party support.

“Australians have understandably lost confidence in consulting firms following multiple scandals, including mismanaged conflicts of interest, leaking of confidential government information and burying information that reflected badly on the illegal Robodebt scheme,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“The Parliamentary Inquiry into the audit and consulting industry has recommended much needed changes to hold these multinational firms to account, including continuing the ban on PwC tenders for government work and limiting partnerships to no more than 400 partners.

“Since the committee heard evidence that anything above 100 equity partners is unmanageable, the current cap of 1,000 partners is clearly inappropriate and even 400 could be too high.

“Consultants present themselves as professionals when it suits them, but are not bound by professional standards or a body that enforces a code of conduct. The proposed consultancy code and compliance body could address this gap.

“Expanded whistleblower protections are a welcome recommendation. Australia depends on whistleblowers to expose both corporate and government wrongdoing, but its protections for whistleblowers are weak and incomplete.

“An ongoing ban on PwC taking government work is likely to be popular, with Australia Institute polling research last year finding most Australians supported a long-term ban on the consulting firm after it breached public trust.

“By all accounts, the committee was diligent and collegiate, with Liberal parliamentarians Alex Hawke and Paul Scarr graciously recognising the leadership of Labor chair Deborah O’Neill even as they disagreed with some recommendations.”

The post Consulting clean-up: Parliament recommends sweeping changes after multiple scandals appeared first on The Australia Institute.

It costs around 50 million dollars a year to keep the lifesaving chopper in the skies above northern New South Wales.

Westpac contributes less than 10 percent of that cost.

New polling research by The Australia Institute reveals most NSW residents think Westpac contributes significantly more. Almost half (48%) think the big bank funds half or more of the cost of the rescue service, including 13 percent who think Westpac funds the entire Westpac Rescue Helicopter service in Northern NSW.

Just 7 percent of those polled correctly identified that Westpac contributes less than 10 percent.

It is NSW residents who overwhelmingly fund the rescue helicopter’s operations, despite Westpac taking credit for the services it buys the naming rights for.

Key findings:

• In 2023, the NSW Government contributed most of the operation’s $57 million in revenue, followed by donations. All sponsors, of which Westpac is just one, contributed just $3.8 million (7%).
• Only 7% of residents in NSW correctly identified less than 10% as the amount Westpac contributes to the running of the rescue helicopter.
• 13% of residents thought Westpac covered the entire cost of the rescue services for which is has naming rights.

“Westpac gains a great deal of goodwill and community support for the Northern NSW Rescue Helicopter, but it is the NSW taxpayer who funds the rescue helicopter’s operations,” said Bill Browne, Director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Residents of NSW can be proud that it is their tax dollars that fund the vital work done by the Northern NSW Rescue Helicopter, even though Westpac takes the credit.

“Major companies making billions of dollars of profit use clever marketing to exaggerate the small contributions they make to the community. Publicly listed corporations should be required to be transparent about the nature and volume of corporate philanthropy that they engage in.

“Corporate donations are no substitute for paying taxes when it comes to contributing to Australian communities.”

The post How much does Westpac contribute to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter? Much less than you might think. appeared first on The Australia Institute.

In response, home insurance premium rose by at least 14% on average, the biggest rise in a decade.

In the major capital cities, rising insurance costs over recent decades have massively outpaced broader price rises.

In Brisbane, insurance costs have increased by more than five times the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and in Melbourne, the city least impacted by climate change, by nearly three times.

More than one in twenty households now pay more than seven weeks gross income for home insurance.

“Rising insurance premiums are the here and now cost of climate change,” said Stephen Long, Senior Fellow at the Australia Institute.

“Impacts from climate change are non-linear. They are catastrophic in nature and traditional, linear insurance models of calculating and spreading risk are no longer fit for purpose”.

“Even considering only capital city insurance costs, the cost increases are significant, and place enormous pressure on inflation.”

The post Climate change driving insurance premiums adding to cost of living pressure and inflation appeared first on The Australia Institute.

These companies have also been exempted from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, the tax that is supposed to cover gas production in Australia.

“It is amazing that companies making $36 billion of income exporting Australian gas could pay no company tax, said Mark Ogge, Principle Adviser at the Australia institute.

“If you paid any tax in 2022-23, you paid more than all these gas corporations combined.

“Australians are missing out on schools, hospitals, housing and cost of living relief because foreign-owned gas exporters are taking us for a ride, and our governments are doing nothing about it.”

The post Gas companies export $36 billion of gas from Queensland, pay zero tax … again appeared first on The Australia Institute.

HECS was designed for students to make a modest, fair contribution to their education.

Now, it leaves many with a mountain of debt – and stress – once they complete their studies.

The Albanese government’s proposed changes to the scheme will do little to significantly improve the lives of impoverished current students or recent graduates paying off huge loans.

The report starkly exposes this government’s priorities. Students contribute more in HECS-HELP payments than foreign-owned gas companies, which extract and sell Australian resources at a massive profit, contribute via the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.

Key findings:

• HECs began in 1989 as a flat fee of $1800 for all students. Now, three years of study for popular degrees in social sciences or humanities cost almost $50,000.
• The average HECS-HELP debt for those in their 20s has gone from $12,600 in 2006 to $31,500 now.
• Based on debts which have been repaid, the average time it takes for a student to pay off their HECS-HELP debt has jumped from 7.3 years in 2006 to 9.9 years.
• Students who rely on the Youth Allowance are among the poorest people in Australia.
• In the 1990s, just 1 in 14 students worked full time and studied full time. That has doubled to 1 in 7 today.

“These findings show that HECS has transformed from a relatively easy-to-pay-off contribution to an ongoing financial burden,” said Jack Thrower, Researcher at The Australia Institute and author of the report.

“Support for students is inadequate, with many living in poverty and an unprecedented proportion of students juggling full-time study with full-time work. Government decisions show their priorities and decades of governments have deprioritised the education and wellbeing of next generations,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Insitute.

The post The crushing cost of a university education: Hungry, sleep-deprived students loaded with debt appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Several of its actions and decisions – including the current mess relating to whether or not it will investigate six people referred to it by the Robodebt Royal Commission – risk eroding public confidence.

Now, just 16 months after it was established, the powers and governance of the NACC need to be reviewed to ensure it lives up to the trust placed in it.

The Australia Institute, which campaigned for a decade to introduce a federal integrity commission, recommends five changes to make the NACC more effective and rebuild public confidence.

Key recommendations:

• Bring forward the statutory review of the NACC
  • A statutory review is scheduled to take place in three years. This review should be brought forward and initiated now.
• Allow public hearings whenever it is in the public interest to do so.
• Implement a Whistleblower Protection Authority.
• Ensure the Parliamentary Committee which oversees the NACC is not controlled by the government of the day.
• Broaden the powers of the NACC Inspector.

“When the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was created in 2022, Australians had high expectations, given a string of high-profile integrity issues in government had been identified,” said Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program at the Australia Institute.

“A review into the NACC is already planned, but for years in the future – bringing it forward would allow the NACC to course correct before it goes too far adrift.

“An early adverse finding against the NACC Commissioner by the Inspector poses a serious risk to public confidence in the anti-corruption watchdog.

“Expanding the scope of the NACC Inspector and allowing for a non-government majority on the committee scrutinising the NACC would improve oversight of this important body.

“The NACC is yet to hold public hearing, but public hearings are important to ensure that justice is done and to reassure Australians that the NACC is functioning well.

“Australia Institute polling research confirms that Australians overwhelmingly believe that the NACC should be empowered to hold public hearings whenever they are in the public interest.”

The post NACC needs urgent reform appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looked Pacific leaders in the eye and promised real action on climate change.

Today, the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology released the State of the Climate 2024 report, with alarming new data and dire predictions about global warming, changing ocean currents and extreme weather events.

The carbon credit scheme being advanced today by Minister Bowen will not reduce emissions.

Even if the system was perfect — and it is anything but — it would be break-even, at best.

It’s been proven time and time again that a significant percentage of carbon offset programs lead to zero reduction in real emissions.

Carbon credits and offsets are all about achieving “net zero”. Recently, the chairman of mining company Fortescue, Andrew Forrest, agreed it was time to make “real zero” our target.

Even if Minister Bowen approves more so-called “high integrity” methods for earning carbon credits, there will no reduction in emissions.

For example, one new method would provide credits for projects which reduce logging in native forests.

Australia doesn’t need offsets to end native logging. If the federal government cared about real emissions reductions, it would simply end native forest logging, as the Victorian and Western Australian governments have already done.

The Australia Institute has led the fight for integrity in climate policy.

“The science says we need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and store more carbon in trees,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“The “and” is the key word. The science says we don’t get to choose if we’d like a bit more fossil fuels if we have a few more trees. The science says we need to stop logging and fossil fuel expansion.

“Australia is the world’s third-largest fossil fuel exporter with big plans to open new gas and coal mines. We need to listen to the science and stop relying on accounting tricks like carbon credits.”

The post Carbon credit trickery: more credits will lead to more emissions — and more climate damage appeared first on The Australia Institute.

More than one in five Australians live in poverty when they retire. And that number is growing.

With housing affordability at an all-time low, many Australians now face the brutal double whammy of going through their entire working life unable to afford a home and ending up in poverty when they retire.

But there’s a simple change the government could make to slash the nation’s embarrassingly high rate of retirement poverty. It could reduce or remove the massive concessions to those retiring with millions of dollars and use that money to increase to the Age Pension.

It could also allow older Australians to earn income to supplement the Age Pension.

New research by the Australia Institute has found that Australia spends almost as much giving tax breaks to wealthy retirees as it does providing a safety net, the Age Pension, to those with little or no retirement savings.

The research compares Australia’s superannuation scheme and Age Pension program to the equivalent systems in Sweden and Norway, nations with comparable GDP’s to Australia.

Key findings:

• 22.6% of Australian retirees end their working lives in poverty, compared to 11.1% in Sweden and 3.8% in Norway.
• Australia spends 5.29% of GDP on the Age Pension, Sweden spends 9.09% and Norway spends 9.30%.
• The Australian government foregoes nearly $38 billion a year in superannuation tax concessions.
• If this money was redirected into the Age Pension, significantly fewer Australians would be poor at the end of their working lives.
• 10% of Australians reach the age of 65 with a super balance of $1 million. These people hold 51% of the nation’s overall super.

“This report highlights the broken nature of Australia’s retirement system that leaves many people living in poverty,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist with The Australia Institute.

“Rather than ensure people are able to retire with dignity, Australia’s superannuation system is geared towards reducing tax for the wealthiest in society. Sweden and Norway show that there are better ways of doing things.

“A large number of Australian retirees still rely on the pension as their main source of income, yet we spend less on public pensions than countries like Sweden and Norway. At the same time, our super system offers massive tax concessions that mostly benefit the wealthy. These concessions cost us nearly as much as spending on the Age Pension. We should be supporting retirees who are truly struggling.

“Living in poverty is always hard, but the current cost-of-living crisis makes it even more difficult for retirees to meet their basic needs. If we reduce the inequitable superannuation tax breaks given to high-income earners we can reduce poverty among retirees. It’s time to take action and give them the support they deserve.”

The post Our broken super and pension systems condemn retirees to poverty appeared first on The Australia Institute.

There is a mountain of scientific evidence proving that expanded salmon farming operations in Macquarie Harbour – home to the world’s only Maugean sake population – are almost certain to have a “catastrophic” impact on the skate.

The Minister has had that evidence for more than a year, with scientists urging her to overturn a 2012 decision which allowed toxic, industrial-scale salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

Now, the Minister has put off making yet another key decision on the future of the skate. She’s delayed changing the skate’s official threatened species status from “endangered” to “critically endangered” by a year, to October 30, 2025 – after the federal election.

Key points:

• Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, has two decisions to make about the future of the Maugean skate:
  • Accept the science and reverse a 2012 decision which brought catastrophic, large-scale salmon farming to Macquarie Harbour.
  • Change the skate’s official status from “endangered” to “critically endangered”.
• On the first issue, the Minister has done nothing, despite pleas from scientists and volumes of evidence proving the Maugean skate is on the verge of extinction.
• On the second issue, the Minister has now kicked the can down the road by a year.
  • In May last year, Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Fiona Fraser told the Senate Environment Committee “regardless of the uplisting, conservation action still needs to be taken, and still could be taken to address … the current suite of threats. Addressing that current suite of threats is not contingent on the uplisting occurring or any new conservation advice being agreed. There’s sufficient information to know that the species is significantly imperilled.”

“Whether the skate is listed as endangered or critically endangered, we have more than enough evidence that action is urgently required to prevent the skate’s extinction. And we know what that action is,” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“The science is clear: salmon farms have got to go if we are to prevent the extinction of the skate and return the harbour to a healthy ecosystem.

“The best available evidence concludes unacceptable impacts from salmon farming are occurring. Fish farming in Macquarie Harbour is ‘almost certain’ to have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on Maugean skate, according to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee.”

“National environment law requires a decision from federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek ‘as soon as practicable’ on the reconsideration of the 2012 decision that allowed large scale salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. That timeframe has now passed. There is no plausible excuse for why she is taking so long to make this decision. The skate can’t wait.”

The post Minister shows lack of leadership again, as endangered species faces extinction appeared first on The Australia Institute.

It goes towards making Australian banks among the most profitable in the world.

Key findings:

• Between them, the Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac and ANZ made pre-tax profits of $44.6 billion last financial year.
• $17.6 billion of that figure came from loans to owner-occupiers.
• An owner-occupier with an average 30-year loan of $574,200 with one of the big 4 contributes $200,800 purely to the bank’s profit. Over the life of the average loan, that’s almost 35% of the amount they borrowed.
• ABS data shows that banks are sharply cutting staff numbers in Australia. The number of people working in banking, insurance and other financial institutions fell by more than 35,000 between November 2023 and August 2024. At the same time, banks have been hiring hundreds of workers in other parts of the world, predominantly India.

“This report highlights that a lack of competition among the big banks has come at the cost of home owners,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute.

“The big 4 are generating massive profits from home loans that far exceed the level of risk the banks undertake.

“The 13 interest rate rises have been great for banks and terrible for home owners who are having to pay for inflation that was driven largely by corporations like banks increasing their profits,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute.

The post Profiting from pain: how the big 4 banks cash in on battling borrowers appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The implications for the Federal election are clear: voters want progressive policies on cost of living, climate change, reproductive rights, education and more.

New polling research by The Australia Institute, released just days before the election, revealed broad support for 12 progressive policies, even in policy areas which had previously proven controversial.

These policies appear to have been the difference between last night’s narrow defeat of Queensland Labor and electoral wipeout expected by so many commentators at the beginning of the campaign.

Key findings:

• Most Queenslanders supported each of the 12 Queensland Labor policies presented to them.
• The net effect of each of the 12 policies was to make Queenslanders more likely to vote for the Labor Government.
• Cost of living policies were the most popular among the policies presented to Queenslanders:
  • Limiting petrol station price increases to 5 cents a litre per day and banning petrol stations raising prices more than once a day was the most popular policy, with almost six in seven (84%) Queenslanders supporting it.
  • Four in five Queenslanders (81%) support lowering public transport fares to a flat rate of $0.50 per trip.
  • Four in five (80%) support more funding for school food programs.
• Abortion and reproduction policies received support from three in five Queenslanders:
  • 63% support funding for abortion services and pregnancy termination care.
• Three in four Queenslanders (73%) supported purchasing private motels, hotels and former retirement villages to provide emergency housing.
• Three in five Queenslanders (61%) supported higher and progressive coal royalties.

“Queensland voters voted for change last night, but while the final composition of the Queensland Parliament remains unclear, what is clear is that the vast majority of Queenslanders want their government to provide them with more support to tackle the cost of living, more government services, and for the coal industry to pay more tax to support such tax to support such services,” said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

The post Queensland election: A clear message to Federal Labor appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The anthology brings together some of Australia and the world’s brightest thinkers sharing a big idea on topics ranging from the housing crisis to climate change, from mental health to the Australia-US alliance.

Contributors include The Hon. Michael Kirby AC, Yanis Varoufakis, His Excellency Anote Tong, Aunty Pat Anderson, Jennifer Robinson, Professor Fiona Stanley and Nobel prize winners Professor Peter Doherty and Professor Brian Schmidt and more.

Australia Institute Press will also launching a new series of public policy essays, Vantage Point: Big ideas in small packages to be released every three months starting with Dr Emma Shortis’ analysis of the American election, to be published in February 2025.

Australia Institute Press will be managed by Alice Grundy, whose previous trade publishing experience includes working at Allen & Unwin, Murdoch, Giramondo and Brio Books where she was Associate Publisher.

Key points:

• New imprint to publish books and regular narrative essays
• First title commemorates 30 years of The Australia Institute

“At The Australia Institute we are always looking for new ways to promote our bold thinking and big ideas. In our 30th anniversary year, with big challenges to our democracy, economy and environment, what better time to launch our own publishing imprint, Australia Institute Press,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“In the digital age, books still offer a unique reading experience and an opportunity for deep engagement. Connecting with the Australia Institute’s audience and continuing our record of excellence in research and writing, Australia Institute Press brings to the printed page what has been so successful in our reports and communications,” said Alice Grundy, Managing Editor of Australia Institute Press.

PRE-ORDER 

The post What’s the big idea? Australia Institute Launches Publishing Imprint appeared first on The Australia Institute.

14 Professors and five Fellows from the Australian Academy of Science are among more than 30 experts who have written to Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to defend the science behind the plight of the Maugean skate, which is teetering on the brink of extinction.

The salmon industry and some politicians have been seeking to undermine scientific evidence which overwhelming finds that open cage salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour is the primary cause of the skate’s demise.

The skate is recognised as one of the Gondwana-era natural values of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area. Its potential extinction carries global significance.

Signatories to the letter also include the immediate former Chair of Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee plus a string of scientists who have had leadership roles in national and international marine organisations and institutions.

Key Findings:

• Signatories on the open letter to Minister Plibersek include five Fellows from the Australian Academy of Science. These are among the Nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for ground-breaking research and contributions which have had clear impact.
• The signatories also include internationally recognised experts in aquaculture, fisheries and sustainability science.
• The letter calls on the Minister to act urgently to prevent the extinction of Maugean skate.
• Signatories confirm that scientific evidence is more than sufficient to apply the precautionary principle and remove the key threatening unsustainable operations of salmonid (salmon and trout) farming from Macquarie Harbour to help prevent the extinction of the Maugean skate.
• They call on the Minister to revoke the 2012 decision which allowed expanded fish-farming and, instead, recognise the science which concludes that unacceptable impacts are occurring in Macquarie Harbour.
• Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area includes one third of Macquarie Harbour, the only home of Maugean skate. Maugean skate are recognised as a World Heritage value.
• The 2012 decision that allowed large-scale fish farming (for salmon and trout) has been under reconsideration by Minister Plibersek for over 10 months, despite her department’s advice to urgently ‘eliminate or significantly reduce’ fish biomass before last summer.
• The potential extinction of the Maugean Skate is an issue of global significance.

“Signatories to this letter are global leaders in marine and sustainability science,” said Stewart Frusher, retired Professor, Marine Science, University of Tasmania, and former director, Centre for Marine Socioecology.

“They have concerns for both the future of the endangered Maugean skate and Australia’s international reputation for sustainable management of its coastal waters, if fish farming continues in Macquarie Harbour.

“The science could not be clearer. The best available evidence concludes unacceptable impacts from salmon farming are occurring. Fish farming in Macquarie Harbour is ‘almost certain’ to have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on Maugean skate.

“This is the opposite of sustainable development and fish farming in Macquarie Harbour needs to end.”

“Salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour has been identified by the Nation’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee as the key threatening process for the endangered Maugean skate,” said Andrew Wright, former Executive Secretary, Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and former Executive Director, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

“We acknowledge that removal of salmon farming will have impacts on the local community.

“Governments, who have allowed this situation to occur, and industry who have benefited through their unsustainable actions in the Harbour over more than a decade, are responsible for supporting the community once farming is removed.

“We have no right to deny future generations a less diverse and sustainable world than what we inherited.”

“This is a letter by scientists, in defence of the science about Maugean skate,” said Eloise Carr, Director of The Australia Institute Tasmania.

“The Institute was asked to help promote the letter, given the important role we have played in triggering the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act reconsideration.”

The open letter to Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is attached.

The post Top Australian scientists unite in defence of science on Maugean skate appeared first on The Australia Institute.

In contrast, France plans to invest EUR 2 billion (around AUD 3.2 billion) in cycling infrastructure between 2023 and 2027, and has committed to building 100,000 km of bicycle lanes by 2030.

Just 0.7% of Australians cycle to work, and rates of cycling are declining.

Stronger uptake of active transport options – like walking, cycling, and scooters – would help ease traffic congestion and improve public health.

Key recommendations:

• Increase funding for active transportation to the equivalent of at least 10 percent of road-related expenditure
• Introduce a tax-deductible per/km ride to work mileage allowance similar to programs in place in Europe, where employees can claim an allowance for riding to work ($A0.25-0.50 per kilometre, capped.)
• Introduce a scheme that would allow people to trade in end-of-life internal combustion engine cars for EVs, e-bikes and public transport tickets. Such schemes exist in Finland ($A3300 credit) Canada ($A1100 credit) and Lithuania ($A1600 credit).
• Legalise private e-scooters in all states and territories, with supporting rules, regulation and infrastructure
• Subsidise the purchase of e-bikes

Key national polling results:

The Australia Institute surveyed 1,014 Australians between 10 July and 16 July 2024. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

• Three quarters of Australians (76%) support building more walking and cycling paths in their areas
• Two-thirds of Austalians (62%) are in favour of a cycling mileage allowance
• Two-thirds of Australians (63%) support schemes that would allow for internal combustion engine cars to be traded in for EVs, e-bikes and public transport tickets
• More than half of Australians (60%) support introducing a government e-bike subsidy scheme

“In cities across Australia, cars continue to rule the road,” said Dr Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute.

“Unless we build the infrastructure that gives people other options for getting around now, we’ll only have more problems with congestion and pollution in the future. This is not a question of spending more money on roads but spending the money we already have differently.

“Despite the many benefits of active transport, cycling rates are actually declining. A major obstacle is that people don’t feel safe riding in painted bike lanes, but in most parts of Australia there’s no option but to share the road with big, heavy cars. Investing in separated bike paths would help all commuters get around our cities more efficiently.”

The post On your bike. Policies to increase rates of active transport appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The research follows existing Australia Institute polling research which finds most Australians support proven but politically controversial policies from the Australian Capital Territory.

Key Findings:

• Most Queenslanders support each of the 12 Queensland Labor policies presented to them.
• The net effect of each of the 12 policies is to make Queenslanders more likely to vote for the Labor Government.
• Cost of living policies are the most popular among the policies presented to Queenslanders.
  • Limiting petrol station price increases to 5 cents a litre per day and banning petrol stations raising prices more than once a day is the most popular policy, with almost six in seven (84%) Queenslanders supporting it.
  • Four in five Queenslanders (81%) support lowering public transport fares to a flat rate of $0.50 per trip.
  • Four in five (80%) support more funding for school food programs.
• Abortion and reproduction policies receive support from three in five Queenslanders:
  • 63% support funding for abortion services and pregnancy termination care.
• Three in four Queenslanders (73%) support purchasing private motels, hotels and former retirement villages to provide emergency housing.
• Three in five Queenslanders (61%) support higher and progressive coal royalties.

“Queenslanders are more progressive than commentators give them credit for, with a majority supporting each of twelve policies implemented or proposed by Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the Labor Government,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“The most popular policies among Queenslanders are those addressing cost of living, including limiting petrol station price increases, electricity bill rebates, public transport fares of 50 cents and more funding for school food programs.

“Abortion and reproductive rights policies are consistently supported by three in five Queenslanders, more than twice as many as oppose them.

“The message for other state and territory governments is that ambitious and clear policies are popular with the electorate and are a political advantage.”

Figure: Support for Queensland Labor Government’s policies

The post Miles government policies popular with Queenslanders: poll appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The Transparency Summit connects those have been stonewalled – and explain why open government and public access to information is more important than ever in a world of AI-generated deepfakes, election denial and democratic backsliding.

Transparency Summit speakers include:

• Professor Allan Fels AO, Professor of Law, and Economics & Business, University of Melbourne and Monash University
• Senator David Pocock, Independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
• Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Justice and Senator for New South Wales
• Rex Patrick, Former Senator for South Australia
• Rawan Arraf, Executive Director and Principal Lawyer, Australian Centre for International Justice
• Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, Chair, Yoorrook Justice Commission
• Jake Blight, Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
• Mary Inman, Partner, Whistleblower Partners
• Isabelle Reinecke, Executive Director and Founder, Grata Fund
• Professor Peter Greste, Journalist and Professor of Journalism, Macquarie University
• Professor A J Brown AM, Chair, Transparency International Australia and Professor of Public Policy & Law, Griffith University
• Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director, The Australia Institute

“A Whistleblower Protection Authority is decades overdue. Whistleblowers are the guardians of transparency who act out of a sense of duty, knowing the risks involved,” said David Pocock, Independent Senator for the ACT.

“If we fail to protect them, we are complicit in their suffering. We need to show that Australia values integrity and will stand by those who act in the public interest by backing this bill.”

“This summit comes at a time where sunlight is desperately needed in Canberra to enliven our democracy and restore community faith in politics,” said David Shoebridge, Greens Senator for NSW.

“With a government addicted to secrecy and key integrity bodies like the NACC not yet delivering much needed accountability there is much to do.”

“Australia has a huge opportunity to turn the corner in its recent, decade-long slide on international anti-corruption measures – with key steps like the new National Anti-Corruption Commission, improved foreign bribery laws, and anti-money-laundering reforms finally underway,” said Professor AJ Brown, Chair of Transparency International Australia.

“The time is right for all parties to follow through, in this parliament and the next, on the tough transparency issues that will really bring cultural change, shore up integrity in government, and ensure our leaders and institutions have the trust of the public they serve.”

“Unless journalists have the ability to access and protect confidential sources, their role as the whistle-of-last-resort collapses,” said Professor Peter Greste, Journalist and Professor of Journalism, Macquarie University.

“Both sides of politics have recognised the corrosive effect of a culture of secrecy on media freedom, accountability and transparency, but they’ve done nothing to fix the problem. The government needs to follow through with reforms that protect whistleblowers and sources, and journalists’ data from intrusive investigations. None of this is controversial. All the major parties have given their support in principle, and all they need to do is act.”

“Whistleblowers make Australia a better place. The Albanese Government promised to better protect whistleblowers, but time is running out,” said Kieran Pender, Acting Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre.

“We need reform before the end of this Parliament, and a firm commitment from both major parties to establish a Whistleblower Protection Authority in the next term.”

“A lack of transparency and integrity lies near the heart of every political issue facing Australia,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Wilful delays in freedom of information processing, the prosecution of whistleblowers, ignoring the Senate’s orders for documents and abuse of Cabinet secrecy are facets of the same problem: that governments find it useful to act in secrecy, and too often the media and civil society lets them get away with it.

“Just as questions of integrity came to define the 2022 election, transparency will be a key theme of the upcoming federal election.”

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Key Findings:

• Under just one of several whistleblower reward schemes in the US, whistleblowers have been awarded over A$1.4 billion, from enforcement actions worth over A$8.3 billion.
• Whistleblowers in the US can receive up to 30% of money recovered.
• A revenue contingent payment mechanism, modelled on the HECS/HELP scheme, would allow Australia to recover whistleblower rewards and fines from offenders.
• Three in five Australians (62%) support rewards for whistleblowers who expose corporate wrongdoing, four times as many as oppose them (16%).

“Many of the worst examples of corporate wrongdoing have been exposed by whistleblowers. It’s time whistleblowers were protected and compensated,” said Professor Allan Fels AO.

“Whistleblowers are brave people who expose the truth about corporate misconduct and wrongdoing. They should be protected and celebrated, not punished,” said Kieran Pender, Acting Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre.

“A whistleblower incentive program, alongside improved whistleblower protections, would encourage more people to come forward to hold companies accountable for wrongdoing.

“Whistleblowing is an effective, proven tool when it comes to detecting, prosecuting and preventing white collar crime,” said Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director, The Australia Institute.

“Two decades after The Australia Institute first recommended rewards for those who put their necks on the line to expose corporate crime, the problem has grown considerably worse.

“Rewarding those who expose corporate wrong doing would encourage more people to come forward and create significant doubt in the minds of those looking for co-conspirators.

“From bad behavior exposed by the Banking Royal Commission to the PwC tax scandal, Australians are sick of big companies doing the wrong thing.

“The inaugural Transparency Summit will bring together integrity experts, journalists, parliamentarians and academics to identify creative solutions to Australia’s culture of secrecy.”

The post Net more white collar crooks by giving whistleblowers a slice of the criminal pie appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The proposal is seeking approval from WA Environment and Energy Minister Reece Whitby.

Today The Australia Institute is joined by two former WA premiers, Carmen Lawrence and Peter Dowding, and oil and gas industry expert Tim Forcey to highlight the threat posed by Woodside’s proposed export expansion.

Woodside has not identified sufficient new gas supply to meet the export capacity of the LNG facility. The resulting shortfall could see further WA domestic gas diverted to export markets.

Key Findings:

• 90% of the gas processed in WA is either exported as LNG or used in LNG export processing.
• The NWS proposal would extend operation of Australia’s largest LNG facility for 50 years.
• The NWS facility’s export capacity is more than double the state’s domestic demand and is seeking approval without any approved new offshore gas supply.
• All previous WA LNG projects have identified supply sufficient for their export capacity.
• This situation of un-supplied LNG export capacity gives Woodside a huge incentive to pursue domestic supply and destabilise the WA gas market for decades to come.

“We have seen this play from the gas industry before. The Queensland LNG terminals opened in 2015 and threw the east coast gas market into turmoil. You have to ask the question, why would the WA government want to replicate that mistake?” said Tim Forcey, former manager at Exxon Mobil, BHP, Jemena, gas planning principal at AEMO and energy academic at the University of Melbourne.

“This analysis raises serious concerns about the impact of the proposed extension to the North West Shelf export facility. No decision should be made until the impacts on Western Austrian domestic gas supply and prices have been thoroughly investigated,” said Carmen Lawrence, former WA Premier.

“Woodside’s success rests largely on enormous subsidies from Western Australian taxpayers. Now, when Western Australians need their gas, Woodside seems intent on exporting as much of it as possible and charging Western Australians as much as possible for our own gas. No decision should be made without a thorough inquiry into the impacts on Western Australia’s domestic gas market,” said Peter Dowding SC, former WA Premier.

“Approving the North West Shelf’s 50-year gas extension will create an enormous incentive to export even more domestic gas, driving up energy bills for Western Australians,” said Mark Ogge, Senior Researcher at the Australia Institute.

“Woodside’s interests do not align with Western Australia’s interests. Western Australians want gas at reasonable prices. Woodside wants to charge as much as possible, so will always prioritise the export market and aim to increase domestic prices.

“Governments’ first priority is to the people who elect them, the people of Western Australia. They work for us, not Woodside. It is our gas, not Woodside’s.

“Approving the North West Shelf extension would create a significant incentive for Woodside to hoover up Western Australia’s domestic gas supply for half a century, leaving the state and our climate significantly worse off.

“The Government’s recent policy announcement that it will allow 20% of new onshore gas projects to be exported by Woodside is yet another erosion protections for WA’s gas market. The limit of 20% and the end date of 2030 are not legislated and can be changed any time, so provide little protection for the WA gas market.”

The post Experts warn WA Government of gas price threat from Woodside’s export extension appeared first on The Australia Institute.

With cost of living already pushing many Australians into financial difficulties, traffic fines can force low-income people into choosing between essential spending and paying fines. By contrast, traffic fines are a minor annoyance for Australia’s high-income earners.

A new report from The Australia Institute outlines a more equitable model for speeding fines based on a Finnish proportional fine system.

Key points:
●        Finland has a minimum fine amount but otherwise calculates a fine based on a driver’s income and whether they have dependents
●        This is better for equality, and sometimes catches headlines when really big fines are issued to billionaires
●        Australian states are already moving in this direction: in NSW there is already a Centrelink discount.

Lower-income drivers would see average speeding fines decrease in every state and territory, while people with the highest income bracket would see their speeding fines increase.

“For a person on a low income, speeding fines can be crippling,” said Alice Grundy, an Australia Institute research manager and report co-author.

“Having a billionaire pay the same $200 speeding fine as a low-income earner is unfair.

“Proportional speeding fines are more equitable because they ensure the size of the fine is set based on a driver’s income.

“Australia’s regressive speeding fine system effectively criminalises poverty.”

Financial Counselling Victoria executive officer Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope said:

“In the land of the ‘fair go’ it is manifestly unfair that speeding fines are levied at a flat rate.

“While they are basically a mosquito bite for the wealthy, they can be earth shattering for the poor.

“This important report demonstrates that there is another way; we can do better. A proportional fines system is an important step in making a fairer Australia for all.”

The post Australia can make speeding fines fair with proportional model: Report appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The report adds to the significant body of independent analysis demonstrating that Australia’s carbon credits are not effectively storing or avoiding carbon emissions, and when used as carbon offsets they are increasing emissions.

Key Findings:

• Last month, mining magnate Twiggy Forrest called for a global move away from offsets and net zero, to real zero emissions.
  • “Now is the time to walk away from net zero 2050, that hasn’t been anything really but a con to maintain fossil fuels,” Mr Forrest said.
  • Mr Forrest was confident that Fortescue’s iron ore business would stop using fossil fuels by the end of this decade while shunning the use of carbon offsets or carbon capture and storage.
• Australia Institute research has previously shown that at least 25% of carbon offsets were “hot air” and that carbon offsets are being used to justify increases emissions in Australia.

“It has been established that carbon offsets are too risky and uncertain to rely on as a climate policy,” said Polly Hemming, Director of The Australia Institute’s Climate and Energy Program.

“Unlike Australia’s carbon offset scheme, climate change is real and we are already living with the chaos.

“We now have a growing chorus of Australians from across the political and ideological spectrum pointing out that offsets just don’t work.

“We need to move on from discussing the veracity of carbon offsets and which methods work and which don’t, and start to focus on how offsets are being used to justify delayed action or, worse, increased emissions.

“The Government has an opportunity to lead us away from carbon offset schemes and toward real action on climate.”

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Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy and Accountability Program, says the report is disappointing when it comes to transparency and public expectations.

Parliamentarians, academics and former whistleblowers will be among those meeting at the Australia Institute’s Transparency Summit next week to discuss how to address Australia’s culture of secrecy, including how to strengthen the NACC.

A survey of 1,005 Australians was conducted by Dynata between 21 and 23 May, 2024, about the circumstances under which the National Anti-Corruption Commission should be allowed to hold public hearings.

KEY POINTS:

• New Australia Institute polling research released today has found more than two thirds of Australians say the NACC should be able to hold public hearings whenever it is in the public interest to do so.
• Legislation limits when the NACC can hold public hearings to only “exceptional circumstances”.
• The Australia Institute advocated for a national integrity commission for five years, before the NACC was established in 2022.

“When the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was created in 2022, Australians had high expectations, given a string of high-profile integrity issues in government had been identified,” said Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program at the Australia Institute.

“Australians would be surprised to see such a limited inquiry into the Paladin affair.

“The anti-corruption watchdog was told that a senior public servant was ‘just too busy’ to make a conflict of interest declaration in writing and ‘did not think’ to disclose a change in circumstances for her security clearance. This should provoke serious soul-searching in the public service, but the NACC provided no recommendations or reflections on the broader issues involved.

“It’s possible a more detailed inquiry into the Paladin affair is ongoing, but without a public announcement or public hearings, how can Australians have confidence that these issues are being explored properly?

“These early investigations set expectations for the NACC and, so far, the bar has been set low.

“The NACC is yet to hold public hearing, but public hearings are important to ensure that justice is done and to reassure Australians that the NACC is functioning well.

“Public hearings educate people as to what does and doesn’t constitute corruption and encourage witnesses to come forward with more information.

“Australia Institute polling research confirms that Australians overwhelmingly believe that the NACC should be empowered to hold public hearings whenever they are in the public interest.”

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On 27 September 2024, the Australia Institute wrote to Attorney-General Kyam Maher requesting that the remaining submissions be made public.

There has been no response from the Attorney-General.

Shortcomings to the proposed legislation identified by public submissions include that:

• It may entrench incumbents and make elections less competitive
• It would provide millions of dollars in windfall gains to parties and sitting MPs
• It would increase the relative power of vested interests at the expense of candidates contesting elections
• It could be an unconstitutional limit on freedom of speech in South Australia.

“The South Australian public and their parliament should be equipped with all the facts when making up their minds about the merits of the Malinauskas Government’s proposed major changes to electoral law,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Far from increasing trust, the submissions that South Australians have been allowed to see warn that perverse outcomes from the Bill could further undermine confidence in government.

“Submissions to parliamentary inquiries are generally public and to ensure confidence in law-making the same should be the case for a government consultation.

“A secretive and exclusionary process like the one taking place in South Australia can only ever diminish trust in government, not improve it.”

The post SA Government secrecy over proposed changes to electoral laws a bad sign for trust in politics appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The letter was published as a full-page advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, coordinated by The Australia Institute.

The groups say that Asia’s energy systems are shifting to use more renewable energy and less gas. They highlight that new gas projects will exacerbate the climate crisis, undermine regional security and work against the interests of both Asia and Australia.

Key points in the open letter:

• Japan can achieve 90% clean electricity by 2035 and already on-sells Australian gas to third countries.
• Solar and wind are already cheaper than gas-fired electricity in Korea, with energy storage costs also declining quickly.
• Taiwan is implementing a carbon price and already has a rooftop solar mandate, policies that will reduce the role of gas in its energy system.

“This letter is about telling Australians that Asia is serious about climate action and phasing out fossil fuels,” said Yasuko Suzuki of Japan’s Kiko Network of community-based climate groups.

“The science is as clear in Asia as it is in Australia — real climate action means no new fossil gas.”

“The dirty gas projects proposed by Japanese companies in Australia will damage communities in Australia, Japan and around the world,” said Ayumi Fukakusa from Friends of the Earth, Japan.

“Japanese Government claims that gas is somehow ‘clean’ are simply not true and are intended to promote Japan’s gas industry.”

“Strong climate action is important for communities in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, yet many gas companies justify their damaging projects in Australia by claiming to act in our interests,” said Joojin Kim from South Korea’s Solutions for Our Climate think tank.

“Asian gas companies, like gas companies everywhere, aim to make as much money as possible and pay as little tax as possible. Their profits should not be confused with the public interest in Australia or in Asia.”

“Renewable energy is surging ahead in Asia. Taiwan’s new carbon price and rooftop solar mandate will only accelerate this transition,” said Chia-Wei Chao of Taiwan’s Climate Action Network.

“While gas from Australia has been important to Taiwan and to Asia more broadly, this importance will decline, and Australia should prepare for that.”

“Australia’s gas expansion plans make it harder for Asia to transition away from fossil fuels,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Australia could help Asia and help itself by properly taxing gas companies. It is hard to understand how companies like Inpex (Japan), Kogas (South Korea) and CPC Corporation (Taiwan) have exported so much gas from Australia without ever paying the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.”

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Published this morning in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, the advertisement highlights that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved extensions to three major coal mines covering an area almost the size of Sydney just weeks before the summit.

Key points:

• Australia formally adopted the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, committing to achieving “nature positivity” by halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. In a statement on the Global Nature Positive Summit, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has said that Australia has made “good progress” on becoming nature positive, stating that “the Australian Government is doing more than ever to make our economy nature positive”.
• Just two weeks before the summit the Australian Government approved three new coal mine projects that had already received prior approval by the NSW Government, covering an area almost the size of Sydney.
• Australia Institute analysis shows that these projects will result in 1.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and directly impact threatened species and ecosystems, including the Glossy Black Cockatoo, Grey Box Ironbark Woodland, Hunter Valley Delma and Box Gum Woodland.
• Previous Australia Institute analysis shows that since the 2022 election, the Albanese Government has approved seven coal projects and approved drilling of more than 200 new gas wells. Both the NSW and Federal governments have refused to end native forest logging despite making commitments to protect threatened species.
• Further information on coal mine approvals can be found on the Australia Institute’s Coal Mine Tracker.

“Halting nature loss is fundamental to the entire concept of ‘nature positive’. No government that is actively approving habitat destruction can claim they are making good progress on a nature positive economy,” said Polly Hemming, Director of The Australia Institute’s Climate and Energy Program.

“Minister Plibersek has stated that ‘transitioning from nature destruction to nature repair will require a mighty global effort’ but her government is still actively causing that destruction.

“The Australian Government is also hoping to host a UN climate conference in 2026 in partnership with Pacific Island nations. It is unfortunate that our governments appear to be spending far more time organising conferences to talk about climate and biodiversity than actually doing anything about them.

“The first steps to demonstrating a genuine commitment to a nature positive economy and protecting Australia’s extraordinary and fragile ecosystems is for the Australian Government to stop subsidising and approving harm.”

The post “Nature Positive” summit can’t conceal nature negative policies appeared first on The Australia Institute.

President Ramos-Horta is a guest of the Australia Institute for two key public events. The Australia Institute is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

President Ramos-Horta’s visit will focus on the importance of geopolitical issues and the need for respectful, genuine partnerships in international relations and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Public Events:

Sydney 

• The Sydney Opera House with the Hon. Bob Carr and Janelle Saffin MP on Tuesday 8th October.

Canberra 

• The National Press Club on Wednesday 9th October.

“Timor-Leste is one of Australia’s closest neighbours. The futures of our respective countries are intertwined, and the Timorese fight for independence is instructive for everyone concerned with peace, stability and prosperity in our region,” said President José Ramos-Horta.

“Timor-Leste had to build a democratic state from scratch, maintaining peace and strong relationships with neighbours. On the 25th anniversary of our historic vote for independence, we reflected on our journey to restore our independence and of course we celebrated our freedom with our many friends including the United Nations Secretary General H.E. António Guterres.

“Independence and democracy can be fragile, and both need continual promotion and protection.

“‘Security’ and ‘safety’ require us all to thrive and flourish together and are more than military hardware and trade.

“The health and wellbeing of all people in the Asia-Pacific is the quickest path to harmony, peace and prosperity in our region.

“To achieve true security against the threats of climate change, food insecurity and rising inequality, nations in the Asia-Pacific need to be respected as partners marked by strong personal and political relationships.”

“The Australia Institute is honoured to be hosting the President of Timor-Leste as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations,” said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of the Australia Institute.

“President Ramos-Horta is an international statesman and one of the region’s leading voices on peace and stability, and on the importance of strong diplomatic and community ties.”

Biography of President José Ramos-Horta:

José Ramos-Horta is the President of Timor-Leste and a Nobel Peace Laureate. He has dedicated his life to fighting for Timorese freedom from oppression.

President Ramos-Horta served as the exiled spokesman for the East Timorese resistance during the years of the Indonesian occupation (1975 to 1999). In 1996, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy of human rights and self-determination for the Timorese people.

After the 1999 referendum in which the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia, Ramos-Horta returned to his homeland for the first time in 24 years. He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, and in 2007 was elected President of the Republic.

In 2022, José Ramos-Horta was elected President of Timor-Leste for a second term. He continues to provide national and global leadership and remains a dedicated advocate for the Timorese people.

The post President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, visits Australia as guest of the Australia Institute to discuss independence, peace and security appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The IMF noted that “tax breaks, including from capital gains tax discount and superannuation concessions, could be phased out to generate a more equitable and efficient tax system”.

Supporting the view of the IMF, Australia Institute research has shown that:

• The capital gains discount combined with negative gearing has distorted the housing market and contributed to the decline in home ownership rates over the past 25 years.
• The capital gains tax discount and the superannuation concession cost the government nearly $65bn in foregone revenue this year.
• According to the most recent data, 82% of the capital gains tax discount and over a third (34%) of the superannuation concession go to the richest 10% of Australians.
• Australia needs greater public housing. The IMF agrees, arguing for “expanding public and affordable housing, and reevaluating property taxes (including tax concessions to property investors)”.

“The IMF has just confirmed what everyone knows — the tax concessions on superannuation and the capital gains discount make Australia less fair and should be reformed,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute.

“The capital gains discount and negative gearing have distorted Australia’s housing market for a quarter of a century.

“As a result, home ownership rates are declining as fewer and fewer people can afford to buy a house.

“Reforming these tax concessions would allow more Australians to realise their ambitions of owning a home and make Australia a fairer country.”

The post IMF confirms — tax concessions distorting Australia’s housing market appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key results

• At least $3.4 billion of Australian retirement savings are invested by these 14 super funds in companies involved in making nuclear weapons.
• One of the 14, Hostplus, has excluded nuclear weapons companies across its portfolio since December 2021.
• The report analyses financial returns and finds that the exclusion of nuclear weapon companies from portfolios has an immaterial impact on returns.

“It’s frankly unconscionable to sell super fund members a responsible investment option and then use their money to invest in nuclear proliferation,” said Rosemary Kelly, Director at Quit Nukes.

“The thing that makes this baffling is that investing in nuclear weapon companies is just completely unnecessary in the broader scheme of things.

“Superannuation funds should divest immediately from weapons manufacturers who produce nuclear weapons. If you’re a member of 13 of these 14 leading funds you can request that your fund divest or threaten to take your savings elsewhere.

“Super funds are being sneaky by boasting of policies to exclude “controversial weapons” but not counting nuclear weapons as “controversial.” That’s pretty hard to swallow when you consider that most ESG advisers now consider nuclear weapons as controversial weapons, given the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that came into force in 2021.

“The most frustrating thing about the lack of progress in this area is that excluding nuclear weapons companies from super portfolios is so easy. Divesting has an immaterial impact on investment returns,” said Alice Grundy, Research Manager at The Australia Institute.

“Your super fund could divest your money from nuclear weapon companies without materially impacting your returns.

“So long as nuclear weapons exist, nuclear war is an ever-present risk. Its impacts would be catastrophic. Even a limited nuclear war, involving say 250 of the over 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world, would kill 120 million people outright and cause nuclear famine, putting 2 billion lives at risk. There would be massive impacts on global supply chains and manufacturing.

“The long-term financial implications should be factored into decisions about where to invest Australian super.”

The post Big Super is still investing in nuclear weapons appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

A major cause of rising house prices has been increased demand from investors.

• Restricting negative gearing to newly built housing and scrapping the capital gains tax discount would reduce speculation in the housing market and allow more first home buyers to get into their own home.
• Reducing tax concessions would also raise billions of dollars of revenue that can be used to build more housing.
• Negative gearing and the CGT discount cost the budget around $20 billion per year, more than twice the $8.4 billion state and territory governments spent on public and community housing in 2022-23.
• Macroprudential policies such as restricting finance for investment properties would also slow housing price growth.
• Increasing housing supply is not the only solution. Over the last 10 years, the supply of housing has increased faster than the population, but house prices have still increased 75%.

“The Labor Government is right to look at options to reduce tax concessions for property investors,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute.

“The benefits of these tax concessions are shared unequally, with more than two thirds of the concessions going to the top 10% of income earners, while the bottom half of taxpayers get less than one tenth of the concessions.

“These tax concessions are also making home ownership more concentrated, with just one percent of taxpayers owning a quarter of all investment properties.

“More investors mean more renters and less homeowners. We need to encourage home ownership. Housing should be about having a safe place to live, not a tax-effective way to make money.

“Reducing investor demand for housing and then using the billions saved to increase the supply of housing is a win-win for cheaper housing.

“This is an opportunity for the Labor party to take real housing reforms to the next election which will give hope to many young Australians who are watching the dream of home ownership slip away.”

The post Negative gearing and capital gains tax discount driving up house prices appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The report, released by the Australia Institute, estimates that, if fire ants are allowed to spread, every year they could cause six deaths, trigger 116,000 medical visits and sting Queensland households with additional costs – from medical expenses to pet care. The most impacted Queensland electorates are projected to be Coomera on the Gold Coast, Bundamba and Jordan in Ipswich as well as Logan.

If fire ants are allowed to spread throughout the state, the modelling shows that households in each electorate will spend an average of $2 million per year for pest management, medical and veterinary visits. The modelling predicts that every year, in the average Queensland state electorate, fire ants will:

• Sting 16,585 people
• Cause 1,244 extra medical visits
• Lead 332 people to develop anaphylactic reactions
• Cost medical systems $509,000
• Cause 2,041 extra vet visits, at a cost of $204,000
• Cost households $1.3 million in fire ant management

Previous Australia Institute research shows that fire ants will cost Australia more than $22 billion by the 2040s if allowed to spread.

Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta said: “Queenslanders are already facing some fire ant costs, but this will get much worse if eradication is allowed to fail.

“We are very concerned that the current level of government funding is not enough to ensure eradication success and none of the parties contesting the upcoming Queensland election have committed to ongoing fire ant eradication funding.

“Failure to win the war against fire ants will ultimately cost Queensland households, councils and hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

“That is why we are calling on all candidates and parties to make this a priority ahead of the Queensland election by committing to sustained funding eradication efforts while we still have a chance to win this fight.

“Their stings can harm and kill humans, wildlife and pets, will cost Australia over $2 billion per year and could slash agricultural output by up to 40%.

“Our environment, health and lifestyle are at stake. Imagine not being able to enjoy your local park or beach because it’s infested with deadly fire ants. It’s already happening overseas where they are out of control.

“For every dollar spent on fire ant eradication, the public benefit is estimated to be between $3 and $9.”

The Australia Institute’s Research Director, Rod Campbell said: “If a murderer said that they planned to kill six random Queenslanders each year, the response would be enormous. That’s essentially what fire ants are saying yet the response is minimal.

“Keeping Queenslanders safe should be the next parliament’s absolute priority and that means immediate investment in eradicating fire ants.

“Our research shows that investing in fire ant eradication is one of the best economic policies a government could adopt, as well as being good environmental and security policy.”

The post Report: Fire ants to kill 6 Queenslanders and cost households $188 million annually if not eradicated appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The ACCC this week launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of products at a time when inflation was at its highest. However, this is not the only way the two major supermarkets work to keep their profit margins high.

Key points:

• Rather than setting prices due to demand, or to compete against each other, it appears Coles and Woolworths often take turns offering specials.
• This ensures that they are never undercut by their duopoly partner and that they are effectively working together to compete against other grocery companies.
• Independent grocers are therefore always competing for customers who know such items are on sale at one of the two main supermarkets.
• The most egregious example of this is for the popular soft drink brands of Coke and Pepsi.

“This is not what competition looks like. Australia’s grocery sector is so dominated by Coles and Woolworths that it seems they find it more profitable to work with each other than compete,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia institute.

“This ‘sales dance’ from Coles and Woolworths shows that they do not set prices to cover costs, as they have argued during the period of rising inflation over the past 3 years.

“The primary goal of this pricing strategy appears to be the entrenchment of their duopoly power, which in turn reduces competition across the country and drives up prices and inflation for regular consumers.

“The allegations by the ACCC this week of illusionary sales prices are unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. Coles and Woolworths regularly operate in ways that disadvantage consumers by reducing competition of other operators in the food sector.”

The post Coles, Woolies’ Secret Pricing Deal Undercuts Inflation Claims appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The open letter comes as world leaders convene this week at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, to accelerate efforts to prevent the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

To ensure Australia is doing its fair share for a safe climate, the open letter signatories are calling on the government to:

• Tell Australians and the rest of the world when Australia will stop approving new coal, oil, and gas projects.
• Stop offsets being used to justify new fossil fuel projects.
• End native forest logging.

“Even though the world’s climate scientists and the UN Secretary-General have all declared that new fossil fuels are incompatible with a safe climate future, the Australian government is stubbornly continuing to approve new coal, oil and gas projects” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at the Australia Institute.

“Just yesterday, the federal government approved three new coal mines out to the 2060s, which will produce over 1.3 billion tonnes of emissions.

“To approve huge new coal mines while world leaders meet to discuss the most dangerous impacts of climate change is absurd, but also consistent with Australia’s disappointing track record on the issue.

“The time has arrived for the government to declare when its last fossil fuel project will be approved.

“Ending native forest logging and stopping the use of carbon offsets to justify the expansion of fossil fuel projects in Australia are further essential steps on the path to genuine climate action with integrity.”

The post Open Letter Calls on Government to Set Timeline for End of New Fossil Fuel Projects appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• The federal government has approved three coal mines in the Hunter Valley
  • Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension Project
  • MACH Energy Mount Pleasant project
  • Glencore and Yancoal’s Ashton-Ravensworth Underground extension
• The lifetime carbon equivalent emissions from these three projects are expected to be 1.357 billion tonnes.
• This decision will extend the operating life of these coal projects into the 2060s.
• The Australia Institute’s Coal Mine Tracker shows that these are the fifth, sixth and seventh coal mine projects to be approved in this term of government.

“These approvals are inconsistent with Australia’s climate goals and reinforces our country’s reputation as one of the world’s major fossil fuel exporters,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at the Australia Institute.

“These are some of the dirtiest, most polluting coal projects seeking approval in Australia right now.

“Fossil fuel projects like these are driving climate change. The government should level with the people of Australia and declare when their final fossil fuel project approval will be given.

“The fact that these new coal mines can be approved, despite the government’s Safeguard Mechanism being in place, shows just how inadequate the policy is.

“To approve huge new coal mines while bidding to host the world’s major climate conference, COP31, is a slap in the face to our Pacific neighbours who have clearly and repeatedly requested that Australia stop expanding fossil fuel production.”

The post Coal Mine Approvals Undermine Climate Goals, Government Rhetoric appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims at a time when inflation was at its highest.
• The ACCC alleges the misconduct involved 266 products for Woolworths at different times across 20 months, and 245 products for Coles at different times across 15 months.
• This covers the period when inflation rose to a peak of 7.8% at the end of December 2022 and led to the Reserve Bank raising interest rates 13 times in 19 months.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our research that has shown the inflation that led to the Reserve Bank raising interest rates was caused overwhelmingly by companies abusing market power to raise prices,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute.

“The ACCC does the best they can, but the drop in competition over recent decades has shown that the current system is failing us.

“The ACCC clearly needs stronger powers, including a competition and prices commission and divestiture powers to break up uncompetitive industries.

“Australia is dominated by uncompetitive markets. The threat of divestiture would lower prices, better service and more innovation and growth in productivity.”

“We need better monitoring of prices in Australia, especially in industries that lack competition. A prices commission would ensure that Australian consumers are not being ripped off by big business.”

The post ACCC Suing Supermarkets as Price Gouging Drives Inflation, Rate Hikes appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• Exports of gas are threatening the stability of WA’s gas market.
• The policy changes announced today allow more of WA’s domestic onshore gas to be exported, not less.
• The cause of the problem is Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension proposal, which has not identified supply sufficient for its export capacity.
• “The barbarians are at the gates of the WA domestic gas market and the WA Government is throwing them the keys,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Today’s changes to the WA domestic gas policy allow more of WA’s domestic onshore gas to be exported. Onshore gas that had been set aside for the domestic market is now allowed to be exported.

“This benefits Woodside, which is desperate to take more gas for its North West Shelf Extension export facility. It also benefits gas companies that would rather sell WA’s domestic onshore gas to Woodside than Western Australians.

“This is a disaster for Western Australian gas users because it more closely links the domestic market and the export market.

“This is the east coast gas policy mess all over again.

“If anything, this is worse than the east coast because more WA gas (over 50%) is given away royalty-free and no gas exporters have ever paid Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.

“If the WA Government is serious about the best interests of the community, it will reject Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension, which is the prime cause of these problems.

“Reducing gas exports and reducing WA’s own use of gas would be the most responsible path, both economically and environmentally.”

The post WA gas policy changes: East coast-style mess looms appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• The Tasmanian Government has released the first State of the Environment Report in 15 years.
• The report shows that the Government has severely mismanaged the state’s environment and natural resources.
• The report rates nearly two thirds of environmental indicators as declining or in poor condition. 50% of the indicators for coastal and marine environments are getting worse.
• The Tasmanian Government should allocate ongoing funding to adequately resource the implementation of the report’s recommendations and the production of the next State of the Environment Report.
• The report reveals deficiencies in the availability of environmental data, calls out the Government’s environmental mismanagement and recommends strengthening outdated and ineffective laws.
• The last State of the Environment report was released in 2009, despite a legislative requirement to produce one every five years.
• The Australia Institute, supported by the Environmental Defenders Office, urged the Government to recommence these reports in 2022.

“The Australia Institute welcomes the first Tasmanian State of the Environment Report in 15 years but is alarmed by what the report reveals about the deteriorating state of Tasmania’s environment,” said Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute’s Tasmanian branch.

“The report is a scathing indictment of the Tasmanian Government’s environmental mismanagement. Too often they are putting foreign profits ahead of Tasmanians’ wellbeing, because we all rely on a healthy environment.

“It is clear from last week’s budget that all the Government intends to do about the report is read it.

“They have not put any money towards implementing its recommendations or preparing the next one. Instead, they have slashed the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s budget by $400,000.

“The report also reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania’s environmental monitoring programs. This means government agencies do not have data to be able to make strategic decisions about the use of natural resources.

“It is unacceptable that in 2024 we cannot report on the state of our rivers and wetlands.

“The Tasmanian Planning Commission has failed to consider the impact of poor environmental health on human wellbeing, account against United Nations frameworks, or incorporate Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples’ rights and knowledge throughout its assessments.

“The Australia Institute also notes with disappointment that it took the threat of legal action for the Tasmanian Government to comply with its own laws and publish the report.”

The post Overdue report delivers scathing assessment of Tasmanian Government’s environmental record  appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Continued attempts by the gas industry to claim a domestic shortage while expanding gas exports show that there is no shortage of either gas or corporate greed from the sector.

Key Findings:

• Australia is one of the biggest exporters of gas in the world, alongside Qatar and the USA.
• Around 80% of Australia’s gas is exported as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• 90% of the gas processed in WA is either exported as LNG or used in LNG export processing.
• Over half (56%) of gas exported from Australia attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational corporations for free.

“The gas industry is talking out both sides of its mouth — it is saying there will be domestic shortages if we don’t start opening up new gas fields, while at the same time advocating to expand export facilities like the North West Shelf proposal,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at the Australia Institute.

“We produce, burn and export a staggering amount of gas in this country. The gas industry itself is the biggest user of gas in Australia due to the gas it burns to process LNG exports. To suggest there will be a gas shortage is absurd.

“The fact of the matter is that we have allowed multinational gas companies to take us for a ride by giving them our resources tax-free and exporting unsustainable volumes of gas.

“Approving new export capacity, such as the North West Shelf’s 50-year extension, simply doesn’t make sense as it would undermine domestic supply.

“When facing a genuine resource shortage, the usual first step is to reduce usage, but that is far from what’s happening here.

“Tax-shy multinational corporations have been driving up the cost of gas in Australia by forcing us to bid against the international market for our own resources.

“Unsurprisingly, the gas industry says the answer to this so-called crisis is to subsidise them into producing more gas, mostly for export.

“There is no shortage of gas or profits for the gas industry in Australia. The only shortage is taxes paid to the Australian public for the exploitation of Australia’s natural resources.”

The post No Shortage of Gas or Profits — Only Shortage of Tax appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• Taxes and royalties paid by the mining industry make up just 5 cents in every dollar of state and federal government revenue in Australia.
• 95% of Australia’s public services are paid for by other industries.
• Mining is also heavily subsidised in Australia, receiving the vast bulk of the $11 billion fuel tax credit scheme.

“Relative to its size, the mining industry pays nowhere near enough tax in Australia and, perhaps unsurprisingly, they are keen for that to remain the case,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Australia Institute research shows that Australians dramatically overestimate the economic value of fossil fuel mining to the country.

“If Australia really did rely on the low-employing, tax-avoiding, high-polluting, and largely foreign-owned mining industry for its economic security, we would be in serious trouble.

“Other countries charge far more for their natural resources, while in Australia we subsidise their extraction.

“The fact that the Government collects more money from HECS than it does from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax is a wake-up call for those in charge.”

The post Analysis: 95% of Government Revenue not from Mining Industry appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• The Fuel Tax Credits Scheme, also called the Diesel Fuel Rebate, is a subsidy for fossil fuel use valued at $10.2 billion in 2024-25. It works by refunding fuel tax paid by certain fuel users.
• The Scheme largely benefits coal and iron ore miners. The subsidy is estimated to be worth $4.8 billion to the mining industry in 2024-25, with $1.4 billion going to the coal industry alone.
• The agriculture industry is estimated to receive $1.3 billion in rebates in 2024-25.
• The Scheme has cost over $200 billion since 1990-91, adjusted for inflation.
• Organisations that explicitly call the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme a subsidy include the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
• The Fuel Tax Credits Scheme should be taken away for the mining industry, not farmers.

“Cutting out an exemption for farmers would only cost taxpayers $1.3 billion and still gather an extra $4.8 billion from the mining industry”, said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute.

“The rebate is a subsidy for fossil fuel use, which is driving the climate change that is impacting all of us, but farmers in particular.

“Subsidies such as the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme for the mining industry are not consistent with policy settings designed to phase out fossil fuels and limit the worst effects of climate change. They act as a disincentive for major fossil fuel users to decarbonise.

“Dropping the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme for the mining industry and keeping it for farmers is a win-win.”

The post Scrap fuel tax rebates for mining industry, not farmers appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• Australia is one of the biggest exporters of gas in the world, alongside Qatar.
• Around 80% of Australia’s gas is exported as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• Over half (56%) of gas exported from Australia attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational corporations for free.
• Across the country, gas and oil extraction employs just 21,200 workers — less than half of one percent (0.15%) of the 14 million people employed in Australia

“This is pure farce,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at the Australia Institute.

“We produce, burn and export a staggering amount of gas in this country. The gas industry itself is the biggest user of gas in Australia due to the gas it burns to process LNG exports. To suggest there is a shortage is absurd.

“The fact of the matter is that we have allowed multinational gas companies to take us for a ride by giving away our resources tax free and locking us into unsustainable export contracts.

“When facing a genuine resource shortage, the usual first step is to reduce usage, but that is far from what’s happening here.

“Heavily subsidised multinational corporations have been driving up the cost of gas in Australia by forcing us to bid against the international market for our own resources.

“Unsurprisingly, the gas industry says the answer to this so-called crisis is to subsidise them into producing more gas, mostly for export.

“Australia Institute research shows that there is no need for gas imports. Supply issues in the southern states can be resolved by reducing demand and managing peak loads in key pipelines.

“The Albanese Government has a choice to make. Will it fight for the interests of regular Australians and the climate or the international gas companies and their shareholders?”

The post Pure Farce: Gas Import Proposal Shows Extraordinary Export Failure appeared first on The Australia Institute.

As the live music industry in Australia continues to struggle financially, the survey found there is strong support among young Australians for policies that would both support the sector and encourage more young people to engage with live music events.

The Australia Institute, commissioned by The Push, surveyed 1,009 Australians between the age of 16 and 25 between 9 and 15 August 2024. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

Key Points:

• Two in three of 16-25-year-olds (64%) say that attending music events is important to them.
• The most common barrier stopping young Australians from attending more live music events is cost.
  • Three in five 16–25-year-olds (59%) say cost is a barrier, and one in three (35%) say it is the most significant barrier.
• A significant majority of young Australians support multiple policies that would encourage them to attend more live music events:
  • Four in five 16-25-year-olds (81%) support a national government program for young people to stage music events in their local community, and
  • Four in five 16-25-year-olds (80%) support a $200 government-funded voucher to spend on cultural and creative interests.

“This is an important moment for the Australian music industry, as we respond to the challenges felt across the sector. We now have the crucial data to support what we have heard anecdotally for many years about the experiences of young Australians who want to attend music events,” said Kate Duncan, CEO of The Push.

“Live music is important to young Australians, now more than ever. As cost-of-living continues to be their biggest concern, young people are struggling to attend concerts, gigs, and festivals.

“We have heard loud and clear that young people believe there is a significant role for all levels of government to support initiatives – from grassroots all the way to the biggest stages – so that all young Australians can experience music events.

“As our music sector looks to respond to the evolving behaviours of new audiences, it’s important that we hear directly from young Australians about the barriers we need to address and what solutions can foster a thriving live music sector now and into the future.”

RMIT Associate Professor, Doctor Catherine Strong, who has co-authored a report with The Push on young Australians and music, said: “This research has provided timely up-to-date information on young people’s engagement with music in Australia. It has shown that while live music is still an important part of young people’s lives more work is needed to ensure they can access it.”

Doctor Morgan Harrington, manager of Postdoctoral research at The Australia Institute, said: “Music has the power to bring young people together and create the bonds of community. Government can support the youth of Australia to increase participation in the arts, and we know from the evidence both here and overseas what policies work.

“It’s undeniable that these difficult economic times have had a significant negative impact on music festivals and live music venues across the country. Fortunately, there are popular, pragmatic policy options available to government that would both support the live music industry and allow more young Australians to get out there and make the memories that will last a lifetime.”

The post Cost-of-Living Silences Live Music for Young Australians appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• GDP per capita growth of –0.4% represents the 6th consecutive quarter of negative per capita growth in Australia while total GDP growth of 0.2% is historically weak.
• Household consumption fell by 0.2%, the weakest growth rate since the COVID-19 lockdowns in the September quarter of 2021.
• Government expenditure contributed 0.3% to GDP growth.
• Interest rates are a blunt instrument that are causing normal Australians significant financial pain while the tax system is turbocharging wealth inequality.

“Today’s figures show that Australia’s economy has gone backwards for a record six consecutive quarters once you take into account population growth,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute.

“They confirm that households have been smashed by high interest rates despite our research showing that inflation has been mostly driven by company profits and supply-side factors. Fortunately, government spending has helped stop the economy from shrinking.

“Today’s figures highlight again how necessary the change to the Stage 3 tax cuts were, which will deliver some much-needed relief to low- and middle-income households rather than overwhelmingly benefit the rich.

“Our research shows that the Australian tax system has turbocharged wealth inequality in this country over the last two decades. We are in an inequality crisis as much as we are in a cost-of-living crisis.

“We shouldn’t be trying to tame inflation by punishing regular Australians who are already suffering under a tax system that is rigged to benefit the wealthy.”

The post GDP Figures Show Per Capita Recession Entrenched Amid Inequality Crisis  appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The Australia Institute’s submission to the government consultation into the Bill finds that:

• The Bill would triple existing public funding of political parties, increasing it by about $14 million per electoral cycle, even though in the 2022 election only about $3 million in expenditure came from private sources, including donations.
• Because this increase in public funding is based on the number of MPs a party has, most would go to the Labor and Liberal parties.
• Half of this increase in public funding could be used by political parties and sitting MPs to fund their future election campaigns.
• Existing political parties without parliamentary representation will have no way to raise money, being ineligible for most public funding and banned from accepting private funding.
• There are alternative public funding models, such as a Democracy Voucher system that would put the decision of who to fund back in the hands of South Australian voters and allow for a complete ban of political donations – unlike the partial ban in the Bill.
• There should be a full parliamentary inquiry undertaken to revise or replace the Bill.

“While the intention to reduce the influence of corporate political donations is welcome, there are significant concerns with this legislation,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Behind the proposed ban on most political donations is around $14 million in new taxpayer funding for political parties which would go overwhelmingly to the two major parties.

“If this legislation passes in its current form, election campaigns in South Australia could get more expensive – but with the public picking up most of the tab.

“At the same time, some minor parties would lose the little public funding they do receive and be stopped from raising private donations to make up the difference.

“Premier Malinauskas has acknowledged that there are serious democratic and constitutional concerns in relation to this draft legislation. The South Australian Parliament should test the robustness of this proposal through a parliamentary inquiry, at the very least.

“Like the changes to the ICAC that were rushed through the parliament in 2021, changes to electoral funding are complex and may have unintended and serious consequences. They should therefore be subject to significant scrutiny.

“The proposed legislation threatens political competition and puts up barriers to new entrants in future election campaigns.

“Major party candidates will be 100% taxpayer funded, up to $100,000 in each electorate, while new independent and minor party challengers will get, at most, $5,000.

“Instead of spending around $20 million per electoral cycle on poorly-targeted public funding, the Parliament could introduce a Democracy Voucher system that would give South Australian voters control over which parties and candidates receive public funding.”

The post SA Government’s Proposed Donations Bill a Threat to Political Competition appeared first on The Australia Institute.

WHO:

Professor Allan Fels AO – former Chair of the ACCC

Sally MacManus – Secretary of the ACTU

WHEN: Thursday, 5 September 2024

Doors open – 5.30pm

Event – 6.00pm to 7.15

WHERE: RMIT Building 80, Level 2, Lecture Theatre 7, 445 Swanston Street Melbourne, VIC 3000

The Laurie Carmichael Lecture is an annual keynote lecture co-sponsored by the Carmichael Centre (an initiative of the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work) and RMIT University’s Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT).

The lecture is named in honour of Laurie Carmichael, the legendary manufacturing trade union leader who passed away in 2018 at the age of 93. Previous Carmichael Lectures have included Nobel Prize economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and former ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

“Prof. Fels is a distinguished economist, lawyer, and academic who has made an outstanding contribution to public policy in Australia,” said Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work (home of the Carmichael Centre).

“For years he has championed the cause of fair, competitive pricing—a concern which became more urgent in the wake of accelerating inflation (and profit mark-ups) after the COVID pandemic.

“Professor Allan Fels has long recognised the dangers of corporate concentration and unfair pricing to the efficiency and equity of Australia’s economy.

“His Carmichael Lecture is a timely opportunity to highlight his recommendations for preventing price-gouging and protecting workers’ living standards.”

Attendance at the lecture is free, but advance registration is essential at:

2024 Laurie Carmichael Lecture: Professor Allan Fels AO

The post Former ACCC Chair Professor Allan Fels to Deliver Third Annual Laurie Carmichael Lecture appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• Australia Institute research has found over the last four years, multinational companies made $149 billion exporting gas they got for free, including $37 billion from the NT. If royalties had been charged on this gas, at least $13.3 billion ($3.4 billion from NT) in revenue could have been raised.
• Reasons provided by Darwin Airport to not run the advertisements include that they were:
  • Negative in nature.
  • Political in nature.
  • Directed at other clients of Darwin Airport advertising services.
• Similar billboards in other jurisdictions, such as Western Australia, have been accepted as legitimate advertising.

“Democracies function best when the public is well-informed, and this becomes a challenge when private companies are deciding what information people can see,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of the Australia Institute.

“I think most people would be surprised to learn that vehicle registrations contribute far more to Northern Territory Government revenue than the gas industry, but the reason they’re surprised to hear it is because, as we’ve seen, there are barriers to sharing this type of information in public places like airports.

“The Australia Institute was keen to use advertisements to share our research findings – just as the gas industry does – but unfortunately, we weren’t allowed the same opportunity to speak to Northern Territorians that the gas companies are accustomed to.

“The real loss here is for Northern Territorians. How can they make informed decisions about the future of their Territory when they’re not provided with information about the reality of the NT budget and the practices of multinational resource companies?

“At a time when there is so much debate about the relative merits of gambling advertising, it boggles the mind that a research institute such as ourselves has been barred from paying the market rate for a billboard for the public to see our research.”

The post Private company gatekeeping information detrimental to public debate appeared first on The Australia Institute.

• Gambling company revenues totalled $17.2 billion dollars in 2022-23.
• Meanwhile, the industry spent about $239 million advertising on free-to-air TV, metropolitan radio, and online.
• Therefore, a levy on gambling revenues of just 1.4% could replace all that lost advertising income.
  • Round it up to 2% and the government could replace some of the money the ABC has lost in budget cuts as well.

“Politically, this policy is definitely worth a punt, with good odds that it would be a vote-winner,” said Stephen Long, Senior Fellow at the Australia Institute.

“A 2% levy on the gambling industry, which represents a tiny fraction of the money lost on wagering, could compensate the media for any lost revenue resulting from a gambling ads ban. There would even be enough left over to replace some of the money that the ABC has lost in budget cuts as well.

“For the media and the Australian public, this represents a rare win-win scenario.

“Implementing such a policy would reduce the harm to the community that gambling advertising causes, while simultaneously guaranteeing a revenue stream for public interest broadcasting.

“The free-to-air networks could then sell the advertising slots the gambling companies occupied to other businesses while pocketing the levy as well, producing a revenue bonanza.

“Australians experience the highest gambling losses per capita globally, amounting to $25 billion annually. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for decisive policy measures, such as this, to address the issue.”

The post 2% Levy on Gambling Revenue Could Replace Free-To-Air Advertising Spend appeared first on The Australia Institute.

• • Inequalities of incomes and wealth in Australia have grown in recent decades and the tax system is making the situation worse.
  • The wealth of those on the Rich 200 list rose from the equivalent of 8.4% of the nation’s GDP in 2004 to 23.7% of GDP in 2024.
  • In 2020-21, capital gains exceeded all other types of income combined.
  • The estimated revenue forgone through the failure to fully tax realised capital gains in 2023-24 is estimated to be $19 billion.
  • Three types of tax reform could restrain the growth of wealth inequality in Australia:
    • more comprehensive taxation of capital gains,
    • the introduction of an annual tax on wealth above a specified threshold, and
    • the introduction of a wealth transfer tax.

• Any one of these would make a big difference; all three would be transformational.

“Australia is getting more unequal. Wealth inequality is growing rapidly, and the tax system is making it worse. Australia needs new ideas and new policies to fix it,” said David Richardson, Senior Research Fellow at the Australia Institute.

“Growing economic inequality is making life worse for millions of Australians and holding our country back. The International Monetary Fund and others have shown how economic inequality tends to reduce a nation’s economic growth.

“It’s harder to realise our collective potential and grow the economic pie when millions of Australians are being forced to fight for crumbs that fall from the tables of the wealthy.

“Failing to appropriately tax wealth and capital gains has neither an ethical nor an economic justification. Bold policy actions are required to counter our ever-increasing inequality and raise the billions of dollars in public revenue that are currently being foregone.”

The post Tax System Turbocharging Wealth Inequality in Australia appeared first on The Australia Institute.

“Australians found out about this new deal via a release from the White House, continuing a longstanding trend of secrecy around an agreement that lacks transparency and accountability,” said Emma Shortis, Senior Researcher in International & Security Affairs at the Australia Institute.

“Secrecy is not security, and Australians have a right to know what the government is agreeing to.

“The AUKUS deal has been met with dismay by Australia’s Pacific partners. It badly damaged our relationship with the French government, undermined our multilateral commitments and relationships, and dramatically misinterpreted the trajectory of American power. It unnecessarily escalates tensions with China.

“Australia is unlikely to get these submarines. More importantly, we do not need them.

“The deal was merely an announceable for a government seeking to shore up its position before an election and wedge the opposition. It is an outrageously expensive, unnecessary plan that will probably fail. And even if it wasn’t all of those things, it will not make Australia or our region safer – it will do the opposite.”

The post AUKUS Expansion Reveals Folly of Blind Allegiance appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• Over half of $77.4b in total committed resource and energy infrastructure projects is slated for fossil fuels ($41b)
• Government approval of new coal mines or gas expansions takes resources away from the construction of essential infrastructure.
• Official government data shows fossil fuel projects make up 53% of the total funding committed to resource and energy infrastructure.
• Some $41 billion worth of new fossil fuel projects are gobbling up the construction supply chain. Taxpayer money is helping fund private infrastructure that makes it harder to build public transport and housing.
  • In the NT alone, the Commonwealth Government is spending $100 million on roads explicitly for the onshore gas industry.

“Every time the government approves new coal mines or gas expansions, it’s allowing projects to suck labour and equipment away from essential infrastructure like houses, roads, and railways,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute.

“Official government data shows that fossil fuel projects make up over half of all committed resource and energy infrastructure across Australia.

“This equates to $41 billion worth of new fossil fuel projects gobbling up the construction supply chain.

“If the government really wants to unclog the infrastructure pipeline and free up capacity to build housing, it could start by winding back the fossil fuel projects that have bunged it up in the first place.”

The post $41 billion of new fossil fuel projects are gobbling up construction supply chain appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• Governments could have raised $3.36 billion in revenue if royalty arrangements from other Australian projects were applied to the NT gas export projects.
• Gas royalties are only paid on gas extracted and used in the Territory – just $2.6 million in 2023, equivalent to 0.04% of NT Government revenue.
• National gas exports over the last four years are estimated at $265 billion, $149 billion of which was royalty-free (at a cost of $13.3 billion in lost revenue).
• The gas industry pays little in federal tax – the combined tax payments of Chevron, Exxon, Woodside and Shell raise less money than beer excise.
• In the current skills shortage, new gas projects will divert jobs from other industries rather than create additional jobs.

“Gas companies have been ripping off Northern Territorians for too long,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor at the Australia Institute.

“It is staggering that Northern Territory motorists contribute a whopping 32 times more revenue to the NT Government than the gas industry does. These corporations make tens of billions of dollars annually selling gas that is owned by the public.

“The gas industry is fond of talking up its economic importance, but the data tells a very different story. Our research shows that Territorians receive few benefits from the export of gas.

“If foreign-owned gas companies paid their fair share, the NT could have more teachers, health workers, schools, hospitals and renewable energy.

“Taxes and budgets are about choices, and the NT Government can choose to help the community, or it can choose to give foreign-owned gas corporations a free ride,” said Mark Ogge.

“The Chief Minister claims we must sacrifice our health in order for the gas industry to pay for our hospitals and schools. If the gas industry doesn’t pay their fair share of royalties or tax, how are they funding our hospitals and schools?” said Dr Louise Woodward, a Darwin-based paediatrician.

“Inpex is releasing dangerous amounts of toxic pollution into the air, increasing the burden of disease for the people of Darwin and Palmerston. We do not need an industry that pollutes with impunity, endangers our health, and doesn’t pay their way,” said Dr Woodward.

The post NT motorists pay 32 times more in rego than the gas industry pays in royalties: New research appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• Annual forced curtailment for 2023-24 was around 4,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
• This represents around 9.3% of Australia’s total generation from wind and utility solar.
• Historically, Off-peak hot water systems have been set to operate at night, but they could be reconfigured to consume electricity during the middle of the day, when there is an abundant supply of renewable electricity.
• Switching off-peak hot water to the middle of the day could provide around 4,000 GWh of flexible demand, almost the exact current level of renewable curtailment.
• This could save up to $6 billion in household electricity and energy costs by 2040.

“The fact that we in Australia choose to waste cheap and clean renewable energy on a regular basis is absurd,” said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director at the Australia Institute.

“While the persistent claims of a looming energy crisis and gas shortage ring out across the country, we are turning our back on nearly 10% of the current renewable capacity in our grid.

“The time for inflexible, expensive and polluting electricity from fossil fuels has come and gone. It is now up to the Federal Government to make the necessary changes that will allow Australians to properly access clean, cheap renewable energy.

“If off-peak hours were moved away from the time of day dominated by coal-fired electricity and towards the time of day when the sun is shining brightest, households would save money and we would reduce emissions.”

“This is the low hanging fruit of the energy transition,” said Dr Craig Roussac, Chief Executive Officer at Buildings Alive.

“There are significant gains to be made from this one relatively simple and cost-effective intervention in our energy market.

“While the problems faced by the electricity system of the 2020s are different to those faced in the 1950s, off-peak hot water systems could again play an important role in reducing costs for consumers and increasing efficiency.

“There are so many untapped and cost-effective technologies that can shift electrical loads to support the clean energy transition and domestic hot water is one of the most obvious.

“State and Federal Governments across Australia should harness this opportunity now, so that future pressures on the grid can be eased and Australians can get access to abundant, clean, and cheaper energy in their homes.”

The post Off-Peak Hot Water: One Simple Change to Support Renewable Rollout appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Findings:

• Three in five (60%) Australians oppose public funding of political parties and candidates, including a majority of voters for all political parties oppose public funding.
• Seven in ten (71%) Australians oppose increasing public funding for political parties and candidates. Only one in six (18%) Australians support increasing it.
• Earlier polling research finds that Australians would be more likely to use an alternative public funding system, “democracy vouchers” (39% are likely), than to donate under the status quo (16% are likely).

“With most Australians opposed to the current public funding model, it is the responsibility of Parliament to design a system that empowers Australians and makes it possible for a diversity of voices to contest elections,” said Bill Browne, director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy and Accountability Program.

“There is nothing wrong in principle with public funding for political parties and candidates, but it must be accessible to all parties and candidates and encourage public engagement – not act as a substitute for it.

“Previous Australia Institute polling research highlights the fact more Australians would participate in alternative public funding models, like democracy vouchers, than would make a political donation through the current system.”

The post Majority of Australians oppose increasing public funding for political parties and candidates, but alternatives exist appeared first on The Australia Institute.

• Truth in political advertising laws.
• Changes to how the Victorian upper house is elected.
  • The Committee acknowledges that “If group voting tickets were eliminated but the current structure of regions continued, major parties would likely be over-represented in the Upper House and there would likely be fewer minor parties and less diversity”.
• Prohibiting groups other than the Electoral Commission from distributing certain postal voter applications.
• Improving access to polling places for voters with disabilities.
• Parties to establish codes of conduct for their members in relation to their behaviour on social media.
• Further restricting which party names, abbreviations and logos can be registered, as is the case at the Commonwealth level.

“The Victorian Electoral Matters Committee has conducted a thorough and detailed investigation that gives the Victorian public a lot to consider,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“With the multi-party Committee repeating its recommendation for truth in political advertising, there is no excuse for further delays from the Victorian Government.”

Truth in political advertising

“In Victoria, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad, and it shouldn’t be,” said Bill Browne.

“With bipartisan support in principle for truth in political advertising laws, it is time to get these laws in place for the next election.

“Our research shows four in five Victorians support the introduction of truth in political advertising laws, so why are Victorians still waiting for this important reform?”

Upper house reform recommendations

“While the recommendation to remove group voting tickets is a welcome, more should be done to reform the way members are elected to the Victorian upper house,” said Bill Browne.

“A single, state-wide electorate and ‘Robson rotation’ within party lists would make the upper house more proportional and representative of popular support. Anything else risks reducing diversity and increasing over-representation of the major parties, as the Committee itself acknowledges.

“Elections for Victoria’s upper house need holistic reform. All proposed changes should be considered together, but unfortunately the committee has prematurely rejected some changes, recommended others, regardless of what else changes, and suggested taking others to a review.”

Bans on party names and abbreviations

“Victoria should not follow the Commonwealth in banning words from appearing in two different party names. Australia has a long history of splinter parties, like the Democratic Labour Party and the Liberal Movement, whose names represent their background and concerns,” said Bill Browne.

Political finance rules

“The Committee has recognised that political finance rules give advantages to parties, especially large parties. That is an important first step towards fixing Victoria’s electoral laws to ensure competitive elections that allow a variety of voices to be heard,” said Bill Browne.

The post Victorian Electoral Recommendations a Mixed Bag for Democracy appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key Points:

• A series of new offshore gas and sea dumping exploration permits have been granted by the Federal Minister for Resources, The Hon Madeleine King, today.
• The projects are off the coast of Western Australia and Victoria.
• Sea dumping (described by the gas industry as CCS) increases emission by enabling new fossil fuel projects. Just three Australian coal fired power stations emit more carbon pollution than the entire world’s current CCS capacity.

“This government was elected to take action on climate change and reduce emissions, but they are opening new fossil fuel projects instead,” said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor at The Australia Institute.

“Expanding Australia’s gas production in the middle of a climate emergency is not just short-sighted: it treats our Pacific Island neighbours and future generations with contempt.

“Sea dumping is a failed technology that is now little more than a delaying tactic for the fossil fuel industry. The fact that these permits are being issued to major fossil fuel companies, so that they can supposedly offset their emissions from other highly polluting projects, is a farce of the highest order.

“This has nothing to do with supporting renewables, it is about producing more gas for export.

“The Government should distance itself from the fossil fuel industry and act in line with the science by committing to no new coal and gas developments in the country.”

The post Government’s New Gas Exploration Permits Put Climate at Risk appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Effective truth in political advertising laws already exist; they have operated in South Australia since the 1980s, were legislated in the ACT in 2020, and been proposed in other jurisdictions – including by Queensland Labor rank-and-file.

“Even when political ads are marked as AI-generated, political parties and candidates should be wary about running them. No one benefits from a race to the bottom where fake content is used to ridicule political rivals,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Queensland saw the use of one of the first political deepfakes in Australia, at the 2020 state election. It looks like the trend is continuing.

“While this deepfake was marked as AI-generated, it shows how easy it has become to create fake content – and there is no guarantee that other fake content in the Queensland election will be clearly identified. In Queensland, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad, and it shouldn’t be.

“Elections elsewhere around the world have seen deepfake images and videos used with the deliberate intent to deceive.

“Truth in political advertising laws in Queensland, along the lines of those already in place in South Australia and the ACT, would help ensure that voters are not misled.”

The post Queensland deepfake underscores need for truth in political advertising laws appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Australia has power and agency in the US-Australia relationship. With a second Trump Presidency remaining a real possibility, Australia also has a significant stake in the survival of US democracy and global leadership.

“Biden had nowhere to go, and that’s where he went,” said Dr Emma Shortis, Senior Researcher for the Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program.

“Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, which was the only logical choice. Harris is now an experienced Vice President, accustomed to the national stage and particularly strong on the issue of reproductive rights.

“While American politics has been preoccupied with recent events, this issue is one that motivates voters to turn out. It did in the 2022 mid-terms, and it likely will do again.

“There is a long way to go until November, but Trump currently remains ahead in the polls.

“What Australia does matters on the world stage, and we can no longer blindly rely on the United States to defend us.

“Instead of considering how Australia can accommodate America under Trump, we can instead focus on standing up for what matters to us and push hard for our interests and values. It’s time that we learned to work with America, not just for it.”

The post Biden’s Withdrawal Highlights a System in Turmoil, Australia Must Step Up Independence appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The $250 million cost of this subsidy is more than ten times the Federal Government’s Active Transport Fund for the construction and upgrade of cycle paths every year.

Key Findings:

• Luxury car tax is paid on the sale or importation of most cars valued above $81,000.
• However, any vehicle that can carry twice the weight in payload that it can carry in people, is exempt regardless of what it is used for.
• Non-luxury utes, used by most tradies, sit below this threshold and would be unaffected by the removal of the luxury ute loophole.

“The Australian public is subsidising big, dumb utes by hundreds of millions of dollars each year,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at the Australia Institute.

“These vehicles are damaging roads, reducing safety and increasing emissions, yet they are given a massive tax break.

“Removing the luxury car tax exemption will not affect most ute drivers, particularly tradies.

“Instead it targets those buying large luxury vehicles, worth sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, for personal use.

“Economics 101 says that governments should tax things they want less of, and subsidise things they want more of, and it is stunning that the Australian Government seems to want more big, dumb utes.

“This tax break for luxury utes costs more than ten times the Government’s fund for assisting the states to construct or upgrade bicycle paths, the Active Transport Fund.

“Big utes impose considerable costs on society, whether it’s safety concerns or the impact on our roads and climate. Removing the luxury car tax exemption for these vehicles is a good first step in accounting for these costs.”

The post Big ute loophole cost taxpayers over $250 million in 2023 appeared first on The Australia Institute.

In a longstanding legal battle, Patrick sought to draw a line in the sand on lengthy FOI delays plaguing the dysfunctional regime and inhibiting timely public access to government information. He argued that the FOI Act requires information to be made accessible in a prompt or timely manner, and that the delays he experienced in his FOI reviews were objectively unreasonable.

Late yesterday, the Court recognised that the delay in processing Patrick’s FOI application was “very lengthy” and “unfortunate”. But it ultimately determined that resourcing is relevant in whether a delay is unreasonable. This effectively gives governments a license to underfund the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and frustrate the FOI system without consequences.

The Court also noted that there was no ‘one size fits all’ time limit for Information Commissioner review decisions. This leaves little recourse for people waiting multiple years for FOI reviews to be finalised, often rendering information sought irrelevant and limiting scrutiny of government decision-making.

Rex Patrick has vowed to continue his fight to tackle lengthy FOI delays and government secrecy more broadly, and will be considering whether there are grounds to appeal this case to the High Court.

Ensuring that people can access government information in a timely manner through the FOI system is an essential part of a healthy democracy, but Australia’s FOI system is regularly described as broken. A Senate inquiry into the regime late last year found it to be highly dysfunctional and under-resourced, citing multi-year delays, excessive use of exemptions, problematic interpretations of FOI laws, prohibitive expenses, and cultural issues within the Australian Public Service and at the OAIC. It made 15 recommendations for reform, including setting statutory timeframes for the FOI reviews at the Information Commissioner level.

Patrick’s case is supported by The Australia Institute, Matilda Legal and Grata Fund, who is an advocacy partner, and Mr Patrick’s legal team: Estrin Saul Lawyers and barristers Stephen McDonald SC (prior to his appointment to the Federal Court) and Tiphanie Acreman.

Rex Patrick, Director of Transparency Warrior, said:

“The ruling has significant implications beyond FOI. The court has effectively found it’s OK for the Government to remove a right granted to a citizen by a Parliament, just by not funding the Government apparatus that delivers or enforces the right. Imagine the Government squeezing court funding until there’s no ability for a citizen to seek a judicial review from a court, or perhaps even constitutional writs. The possibilities are disturbing.

“I thank the Full Court justices for their consideration of the matter, but can’t deny I’m completely devastated by the outcome. The judgment, as it stands, leaves the job of fixing the problem, by properly funding the OAIC, to the very Government that benefits from the FOI system being broken.

“I will be considering whether there are grounds to appeal the judgment to the High Court.”

Isabelle Reinecke, Executive Director, Grata Fund said:

“This is a disappointing outcome for our FOI system and government transparency.

“Years-long FOI delays are effectively allowing governments to avoid scrutiny, and blocking the public from participating in decision-making that impacts their lives.

“It’s not acceptable to deplete statutory bodies of funding to the point that they can’t fulfill their obligations, and then hide behind this excuse when dysfunction festers.

“The Parliament can and should resource FOI properly, and go even further. A Senate Committee into FOI has laid out a comprehensive blueprint for reform — the Attorney-General just needs to put it on his agenda.”

Bill Browne, Director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program said:

“Starving the body that reviews FOI complaints of resources appears to be a deliberate strategy to shield the government from scrutiny.

“It is unacceptable that so many FOI requests are late, and that the watchdog responsible is so poorly resourced that it cannot review all the questionable FOI decisions referred to it.

“Today’s decision makes it clear that Australia’s FOI system needs urgent and substantial reform to give citizens the information they are entitled to and shine a light on government decision-making.

“The Albanese Government promised greater transparency and accountability, but that will not happen while the freedom of information system remains skewed towards delay, denial and obfuscation.”

The post Rex Patrick Loses FOI Delays Legal Battle, Pledges to Continue appeared first on The Australia Institute.

While power sharing has always been a feature of Australian parliaments, the declining major party vote demands a more mature and nuanced analysis of electoral outcomes, the contribution of crossbenchers, and their role in government.

Key Points:

• Australia is unusual in electing independents at all, let alone in large numbers. There are more independents elected to the Australian House of Representatives than elected to the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand Parliaments put together.
• The recent growth in minor party and independent representation is just the latest example in a long history of power sharing in Australian parliaments.
• The 2022 federal election shows that crossbenchers can win elections with lower primary vote shares than major party candidates.
• There are no “safe” seats when it comes to independents and minor parties: since 2001, crossbenchers won more “safe” seats than they did “marginal” ones.
• Existing prediction models, such as the electoral pendulum, are limited to contests between the major parties, and so are becoming less useful.
• Over the last 20 years, all nine jurisdictions in Australia have experienced some form of power sharing government.
  • Both the largest state (NSW) and the longest-serving government (the Barr Labor–Greens Government in the ACT) are currently in power sharing arrangements.

“Dark talk of ‘coalitions of chaos’ or ‘maverick’ independents ignores the historical reality that power sharing has been a feature of parliaments as long as they have existed”, said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Independents are a distinctive feature of the Australian political landscape, and for some voters they clearly offer something different to the political parties.

“Political commentators and strategists who focus on the two-party ‘horse race’, neglecting the growing minor party and independent vote, will increasingly be caught out by seat upsets.

“Just this month, elections in France delivered a hung parliament and in the UK independents had their best result since World War 2. Other countries are now grappling with a question that Australian parliaments are very familiar with: how to share power in a multipolar democracy.”

The post Rise of minor parties and independents upends old predictive models; demands power sharing rethink appeared first on The Australia Institute.

“The South Australian Government cannot carry on with a business-as-usual approach when integrity has been so clearly compromised in the state,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

“Commissioner Vanstone has been unequivocal in her defence of the role of the anti-corruption commission in South Australia.

“That these complex reforms were rushed through the Parliament with almost no scrutiny or debate raised serious concerns for transparency in South Australia. Now, with the resignation of the Commissioner, South Australia has an opportunity to revisit these drastic changes and investigate the troubling impacts with the scrutiny they deserve.”

The post SA ICAC: Commissioner Resignation Must Trigger Rethink on Integrity Backslide appeared first on The Australia Institute.

“The introduction of divestiture laws is a sensible tool to stop large companies like Woolworths and Coles misusing their market power. It would be good for prices at the checkout and help keep inflation down,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute.

“Research from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work, released at the beginning of 2023, showed that corporate profits, not wages, were the major driver of the burst of inflation in Australia that followed the Covid lockdowns.

“The Australian economy has become less competitive over the last few decades and these laws would go some way to addressing that structural imbalance.

“Our current competition laws have few ways of making an already uncompetitive industry more competitive.

“Divestiture powers will enable the government to break up large businesses abusing their market power and force them to compete, leading to lower prices and better service for consumers.

“In other economies, including the UK and the US, broad ranging divestiture powers are already in place. If adopted in Australia, these new powers would just bring us into line with other OECD countries.”

The post Dutton’s divestiture plan would help with cost-of-living, keep lid on inflation appeared first on The Australia Institute.

The Centre for Future Work’s Carmichael Centre analysis found employees wanted their union to cooperate with employers and vice versa, and that giving workplace delegates a greater voice made this more likely.

“Those who claim that guaranteeing the rights of union delegates must lead to greater conflict are dead wrong,” said Professor David Peetz, research fellow and author of Employee voice and new rights for workplace union delegates.

“Workers expect their union and employer to cooperate effectively to solve problems, and reach agreements over pay and conditions, in both parties’ mutual interests.

“Well trained delegates are best-placed to represent workers. They don’t acquiesce but they do cooperate. After all, they know it’s in workers’ interests for workplace productivity to rise.”

The paper found this could help boost productivity, which on average was at least as high in unionised as in non-union workplaces. Strong representation and consultation made workers less resistant to productivity-boosting technology including artificial intelligence.

In the past, many volunteer union delegates have been obstructed from properly doing their job to allow employees’ voices to be heard in the workplace. Now, their rights will be guaranteed.

However, the report also warned unions not to waste the opportunity provided by new rights for paid training leave.

“If they use it just to emphasise getting more ‘bums on seats’ in classrooms, ahead of taking a holistic approach to education, they won’t get anything new out of it,” said Professor Peetz.

The post New union rights to boost workplace cooperation appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Key findings:

• Four in five Australians (83%) want the Federal Government to regularly measure and report on poverty rates in Australia.
• An overwhelming majority of Australians (81%) agree that income support payments should be set at a rate that does not cause any child to live in poverty.
• Australians are highly concerned that Australia has a high child poverty rate compared to other developed countries (69%), and about the effects of this on health and lifespan (83%) as well as education and employment (85%).
• One in six Australian children (about 761,000 children) live in poverty according to research from ACOSS and UNSW.
• The OECD finds that Australia’s youth poverty rate is the 13th-highest among member nations, surpassing the UK, Germany and Canada.

“There is no excuse for a country as rich as Australia to have one in six children growing up in poverty,” said Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute.

“Adopting an official definition of poverty in line with the OECD or European Union – either half or 60 per cent of median income – would provide important information to inform government policy and would allow public oversight to keep elected representatives accountable.

“Poverty is not too big or too complicated to solve – it’s a question of choice. During the height of the pandemic the Government increased income support and lifted nearly 650,000 Australians, more than a third of them children, out of poverty.

“The Government is choosing not to make structural changes, like permanently increasing income support payments to liveable levels, and we as a society must ask why that is.”

“Children understand when they are living in poverty. They have told researchers, teachers, their parents and their trusted friends. This raises feelings of shame, a loss of belonging and often children report feeling like they are missing out. These feelings can last a lifetime. We also know that childhood poverty often leads to poor physical and mental health, diminished educational outcomes and intergenerational poverty,” said Adj/Prof. Tony Pietropiccolo AM, Director, Centrecare.

“It is necessary to establish a specific Child Poverty Reduction Act so we can address it through a child’s lens. This would deal with the unique, systemic needs of children in poverty.

“The End Child Poverty campaign, through the Valuing Children Initiative, is calling on the Albanese Government to join with us to introduce legislation that would define, measure and report child poverty rates in Australia.

“Through this legislation we would understand the experience of poverty, hunger, homelessness, material and non-material poverty for children. When we understand something, we can address it.”

The post Majority of Australians Back Action to Track and Address Child Poverty appeared first on The Australia Institute.

Based on research from the Australia Institute and its nine principles for fair political reforms, the five key improvements call on the Parliament to:

1. Reform public funding for political parties and candidates so new parties and first-time candidates can compete on a level playing field.
2. Disclose political donations to parties and candidates regularly throughout the year, and lower the donation disclosure threshold.
3. Introduce truth in political advertising laws to prevent public money being spent on misleading advertisements.
4. Require politicians to disclose every cash-for-access payment they receive from business and vested interests, such as tickets to exclusive dinners and fundraisers, so industry can no longer lobby elected representatives in secret.
5. Enshrine the right of charities to advocate for political reform.

“Australia has a proud and internationally recognised history of electoral innovation. The secret ballot, for example, spread across the world as the ‘Australian ballot’, but democracy should never be taken for granted,” said Bill Browne, Director of Democracy & Accountability at the Australia Institute.

“Current gaps in Australia’s electoral system are giving special interests and corporate lobbyists an outsized level of influence on politics and, by extension, how the country is governed.

“While the Albanese Government’s commitment to reviewing the political finance system is welcome, true electoral reform that strengthens Australian democracy will level the playing field for all candidates, reduce the influence of vested interests, and ultimately give voters a range of choices at the ballot box.”

The post Open Letter Calls for Parliament to Protect Democracy, Close Major Gaps in Electoral Laws appeared first on The Australia Institute.