Government subsidies
Briefing paper
Child care and maternal labour supply: lessons from the 2018 child care reforms
Government-funded child care subsidies aim to increase maternal labour force participation and improve access to formal child care. This paper examined the effects of a major child care policy reform implemented in 2018, finding that it had no measurable effect on maternal labour supply and led to a limited increase in formal child care use.
Report
Addressing environmental harm: reforming agricultural support
This report discusses the economic mechanisms by which the hundreds of billions of dollars provided annually in agricultural support contribute to increased emissions, biodiversity loss and soil nutrient imbalances. It also highlights options for alternative support policies and presents real-world examples of improved environmental outcomes stemming from agricultural support removal or reform.
Report
Rooftop solar: paradise lost
Rooftop solar has been lauded by energy market bodies, policymakers, the media and environmental groups as a great way to lower bills, help the environment and help the grid. While rooftop solar may have lowered bills for homeowners able to install it, this paper posits that it has done so by increasing bills for everyone...
Report
Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2025
Australia continues to subsidise fossil fuels, imposing costs not only on the budget but on the climate. This report estimates Australia’s subsidies to fossil fuel producers and major users from all governments totalled $14.9 billion in the 2024–25 financial year. The report calls for cutting back these subsidies as a priority for the next parliament.
Discussion paper
Raising revenue right: better tax ideas for the 48th Parliament
Australia’s next Parliament can tackle the nation’s challenges in areas such as inequality, sustainability, health and education by raising more revenue through five main reforms: ending fossil fuel subsidies; ending the gas industry's free ride; reforming the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing; reforming superannuation tax concessions; and taxing luxury utes and plastic.