Should Australia’s population grow to more than 35 million people by the middle of the 21st century? The 2010 Intergenerational Report sparked a controversy over its suggestion that we are heading for a ‘Big Australia’ in the coming decades.This report looks behind the headline figures to highlight potential outcomes based on different assumptions about fertility...

After 13 years of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) representation, Prime Minister John Key has said it is time to ‘kick the tyres’ and see how much support the system enjoys. New Zealand will hold a referendum on the electoral system coinciding with the next election, which may well be a close contest. With this referendum...

Sydney's dated intercity train connections are not playing in the league of the world's great cities. Rail connections between Sydney and neighbouring cities need to improve substantially, and business class carriages would be a good first step. Every day, thousands of people travel between Sydney and the neighbouring urban centres of Wollongong, the Blue Mountains...

With the car manufacturing industry faltering further, the Rudd government’s massive taxpayer-funded support for the Australian car industry is doomed to fail. This paper argues that a strong car industry would be an asset to the Australian economy only if it stood on its own two feet. Relying on government support is no substitute for...

The question how Australia should be governed has often revolved around the role of federalism. Yet the same arguments made in favour of federalism (greater choice and diversity, and government that is closer to the people) could also be applied to local government. But whether recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution would actually...