This note looks at the evolution of inflation over the last term of government, failures of wage growth to keep up with inflation, and what the major parties proposed in the 2025 federal election campaign to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. It suggests that structural changes are needed to provide long-term relief and to protect consumers from...

Climate disasters, such as floods, cyclones, and bushfires, present risks to mental health. This article finds that mental health effects became more severe with successive disasters. It proposes that multiple disaster exposures must be urgently considered in public health, welfare and disaster services.

This paper considers the cost of the Coalition’s position in seeking to undermine modern awards. It details how many workers would be directly affected by the Coalition’s proposed changes to modern award coverage and which occupations have the most to lose from such a policy, including brief case studies for key occupations. It also examines...

Australia faces an urgent need to decarbonise its energy grid. This report calls for a balance in approaching this issue. Accelerating renewable energy deployment is critical, yet a pragmatic, evidence-based approach must also consider all low-emission technologies, including nuclear, to ensure a resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future. It provides four recommendations.

This paper argues election promises of cuts to income tax rarely offer meaningful tax reform and are usually quickly reversed by bracket creep. Pledges made ahead of the 2025 federal election should not be seen as structural tax reform propositions and highlight the need for real tax reform in the form of indexation of tax...