Recent publications
Nanny State Taxes: Soaking the Poor in 2012
Nanny State taxes raised $13 billion in 2010-11. This is greater than the combined revenue forecast of $11 billion to be collected from the government's Clean Energy Future Package (carbon tax) and the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (mining...
Australia's helmet law disaster
Australia is one of only two countries in the world with national all-age mandatory bicycle helmet laws (MHLs). Introduced by state and territory governments under threat of cuts to federal road funding in the early 1990s, the idea that it should...
Ideology, not science
The notion that freedom can be usurped under the guise of public health arouses great antipathy in many; often expressed as a frustration with the Nanny State. However, many also feel compelled to accept the advice of vocal public health advocates...
Gambling away perspective? A review of the evidence justifying electronic gaming regulations
There is no dispute that some people bet beyond their reasonable means when gambling. But this doesn't necessarily justify government intervention, in and of itself. The extent to which governments regulate to protect citizens from themselves...
New poll: More Australians agree we are becoming a nanny state, 70% think food, tobacco & alcohol plain packs ineffective
‘A new poll shows the number of people who strongly agree Australia is becoming a nanny state has increased by a fifth over the past year, with 55% believing Australia is a nanny state and more than 70% thinking plain packaging won't be an...
Let kids be kids
An absurd over-protectiveness of our children is being encouraged by our media, culture and government. Our outdoor lifestyle, rugged country and self-reliant mindset served our elders well through tough times. Those being raised to fear a skinned...
The Biggest Loser is the Nanny State
The recently concluded reality TV show, The Biggest Loser, contains some surprising lessons for public policy. Of all the reality television shows bombarding us, The Biggest Loser best combines entertainment with the spectacle of social...
Plain packaging FOI documents
Plain packaging FOI request from IP Australia.
Better safe?
At the beginning of 2010, the British and US governments approved the introduction of body scanners at international airports. In both cases, the impetus behind their implementation was the case of Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to...