This report finds that abuse of taxpayer-funded advertising is rife in Australia, with governments routinely spending public money to spruik their own achievements, especially in the lead up to elections.

Pork-barrelling – misusing public money for political gain – is common in Australia. This report argues that while pork-barrelling may be legally grey, it is not good government. It wastes taxpayers’ money, undermines public trust in Australia's political leaders and institutions, and promotes a corrupt culture.

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.

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.

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.