Australia’s integrity agencies can only hold power to account when they are independent in practice, not just in law. This paper argues that integrity agency independence depends on three institutional levers: secure funding, merit-based appointments and robust oversight. It outlines reforms to strengthen these levers and better secure the independence of Australia’s core integrity agencies.

The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 will expand law enforcement powers to investigate illicit tobacco related offending and increase the penalties and consequences for persons involved in illicit tobacco offending. This bill digest outlines the purpose and structure of the bill, the background, and the policy position of non-government parties/independents.

Capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing were two of the top three priorities for tax reform in Australia identified by participants at a community tax summit. This paper argues for a reduction to the CGT discount from 50% to 25% and limiting negative gearing deductions to investment income only.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the amount mortgages for owner-occupiers contributed to the profits of the big four banks in Australia: ANZ Bank, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation. An analysis of the data suggests big banks profit disproportionately from housing loans to owner occupiers.

The bulk-billing incentive – a bonus the federal government pays general practitioners (GPs) when they don’t charge patients a fee – has been supercharged twice in recent years. But 'GP deserts’ – the communities with the fewest GP services per person – are being left further behind. This policy brief proposes two policy reforms are...