Recent publications
Commonwealth reform negative value-adding components
Programs Identified with Negative Benefits
Referendum disaster for democracy in Australia: Institute of Public Affairs
The text of the Gillard government's referendum proposal confirms the worst held fears that Canberra is intent on controlling local government, according to free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. ‘The proposed seemingly...
Failed Budget compounded by Baby Bonus trickery: IPA
The Gillard government proposal to abolish the Baby Bonus scheme in the 2012 13 Budget will be more than nullified by the ballooning welfare state, according to free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. ‘Abolishing the Baby...
IPA: Canberra council grab a disaster for democracy and rates
"Constitutional recognition of local government will lead to a federal takeover of local laws, lead to rate increases, expansion of bad and petty laws and corrode Australian democracy," said Tim Wilson, policy director at free market think tank,...
Australia's big government reaches record highs
Analysis of historical trends of the size of commonwealth, state and local governments, released today by free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, shows that current public sector size is among its highest point since World War II....
Australia's Big Government, by the Numbers
A paper providing the most comprehensive historical estimates of the size of government in Australia.
Time to dump costly parental leave scheme
In 1975, Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government had the largest parliamentary majority in Australian history. The story is now well known: Gough Whitlam oversaw a massive expansion of the public sector, increasing government spending by more than 40...
Freedom of speech threatened by Tasmanian bill
"Proposed changes contained in the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Bill 2013 threaten freedom of speech and freedom of conscience," said Simon Breheny, director of the Legal Rights Project at free market think tank the Institute of...
Margaret Thatcher
Today's funeral for Margaret Thatcher in London provides an opportunity to reflect on her incredible legacy as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, says the free market think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs. "Australian politicians should...
The war on democracy
In 1953 a bitter Bertolt Brecht wrote, 'Would it not be easier / In that case for the government / To dissolve the people / And elect another?' With these lines, Brecht brilliantly captured the dripping contempt that some purportedly 'democratic'...