On 6 December 2007, the incoming Labor government announced a 'new era' for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) with revised arrangements for appointing the bank's senior officers and external board members, in conjunction with a new joint 'Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy' between the bank and the government. On the previous day...

Policy experts often think alike, even when the evidence contradicts them. CIS researchers Jennifer Buckingham, Andrew Norton, Phil Rennie, Jeremy Sammut, and Peter Saunders argue that this is how billions of dollars are spent on government programs that don't work. The CIS social policy 'mythbusting team' refute six myths that have led to poor policymaking...

New political expenditure disclosure rules, aimed at organisations that run no candidates in elections but may nevertheless influence public opinion, could have a 'chilling effect' on political expression.New political expenditure disclosure rules, aimed at organisations that run no candidates in elections but may nevertheless influence public opinion, could have a 'chilling effect' on political expression...

This paper identifies major structural flaws in Australia's current taxation system, and develops a set of proposals to put them right.

One reason working-age welfare dependency remains high is that the demand for unskilled labour is in decline. Part 1 of this CIS Issue Analysis showed that more education and training will be of limited help to jobless people who do not have the ability to perform highly skilled tasks. What they need is an expansion...