This paper contributes to the debate on fiscal rules by discussing their nature and purpose, reviewing the history of their use in Australia and internationally, and proposing a set of rules suitable to the fiscal challenges of the times. It finds economic management in Australia currently lacks the guardrails provided by quantified fiscal rules.

The statistical report provides information on the flow of government funding for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia, based on 2024 data. VET in Australia is funded by the Australian and state and territory governments. Nationally, total government expenditure on VET increased 55.8% between 2019 and 2024 to $10 billion.

The final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement found the agreement is not effective and a new policy architecture is needed to articulate the collective actions that will deliver changes to the mental health and suicide prevention system and improve outcomes. The system is fragmented and out of reach for many...

A series of fact-checks regarding claims made by the Australian Government in relation to parliamentary questions on the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025. The Government’s claims about the Robodebt Royal Commission, changes to the Cabinet confidentiality exemption, inundation by AI generated bots, and national security concerns around FOI are found to be false or...

Six months after its 2025 re-election, the Australian Government faces serious integrity challenges. This report card assesses the Government’s actions – and inaction – across key democratic safeguards: transparency, merit-based appointments, limits on undue influence, strengthening the public service and support for the institutions that hold power to account. The paper urges the Government to...