Many federal and state government boards, tribunals and agencies are stacked with people who have worked in politics – almost always for the party that was in government when they got the job. This report argues that Australian politics has a growing ‘jobs for mates’ culture and it is undermining our democracy.

Building on research and analysis published by Grattan Institute since it was founded 13 years ago, this report identifies reforms to boost incomes, improve health and education, create better transport links, make housing more affordable, generate meaningful progress on climate change, and strengthen Australia’s political institutions.

Paid parental leave should be substantially boosted for fathers and partners, to support men to be more engaged in the early years of their children’s lives, according to this Grattan Institute report.

This report argues that once 80 per cent of the Australian population is vaccinated – and 95 per cent of the most vulnerable, including the over-70s – the nation can begin to ‘live with' COVID-19.

Many Australians – particularly women – suffered more than they needed to in the COVID recession because elements of the government response were inadequate or ill-directed. This report urges governments to inject more money into services sectors, childcare, and aged care, and to rewrite the 'rescue and recovery' playbook before the next economic crisis.