Economy-wide benefits would flow from further reductions in the relatively high tariffs on textile, clothing and footware imports, according to this report. Assistance reductions would involve some further contraction of the TCF sector, but this would be outweighed by expansion of other industries resulting from cost reductions. Consumers and taxpayers would benefit from a reduction...

This report is the result of a review by the Attorney-General's Department into 'format shifting' and two new copyright exceptions to permit photographs and cinematograph films to be reproduced in a different format for private use, subject to certain conditions.In January 2008, the Attorney-General asked the Department to review the operation of two new copyright...

The sub-prime crisis shows that it is not enough for Australia to regulate its own financial system well, according to this paper. It is also in Australia’s interests to work towards forms of global coordination, global monitoring and global crisis response which lessen the frequency and duration of these financial shocks. Most of the obvious...

It is nine years since the last referendum was held to amend the Australian Constitution, and it is over 30 years since there was a successful referendum to amend Australia’s Constitution. The present decade may be the first since Federation during which there is no referendum held. The lack of reform to the Constitution has...

Australians are facing risks of damaging climate change. Without strong and early action by Australia and all major economies we are likely to face severe and costly impacts on Australia’s prosperity and enjoyment of life, according to the Garnaut Climate Change Review’s Draft Report, released on 4 July. The Garnaut Climate Change Review has been...