State and territory governments can do more to improve the lives of Australians. The State Orange Book 2018 shows that outcomes vary between states across a broad range of areas. In many cases, states are different because their governments adopted better policies.

Powerful and well-resourced business groups, unions and not-for-profits are influencing policy in Australia to serve their interests, sometimes at the expense of the public interest. Stronger checks and balances on policy influence are needed, to make Australian politics cleaner and fairer.

While the states are making improvements to their political donations laws and practices, Canberra still has a long way to go.

The Turnbull Government’s proposed personal income tax cuts are the largest ever proposed in a federal budget. As is outlined in this submission, the substantial reduction in revenue is not obviously consistent with the government’s medium-term fiscal strategy.

To deliver tax cuts and budget surpluses, Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison, will need to stay lucky.