Recent publications in Media release
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...
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,...
Legal rights stripped under changes to anti-doping laws
"The Gillard government's proposed changes to anti-doping laws would give police-like investigative powers to anti-doping bureaucrats and strip away legal rights, such as the right to silence," said Simon Breheny, director of the Legal Rights...
Coalition's Northern vision welcomed
The Coalition's draft discussion paper on Developing Northern Australia, reported in today's media, is a welcome recognition of the potential for Northern Australia to be the driving force of the Australian economy in coming decades, according to...
Gillard government misleads public over proposed anti-discrimination law
"The Gillard government has misled the public over proposed changes to anti-discrimination law," said Simon Breheny, Director of the Legal Rights Project at the free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. The...
Gillard government's new censorship regime worse than internet filter
The Gillard government's new online censorship policy may result in Australians having even more restrictions on their internet use than under the government's original internet filter policy, according to Simon Breheny, Director of the Legal...
Mining Tax branded an "unmitigated disaster"
The Minerals Resource Rent Tax has been an utter failure; not raising a cent in government revenue while increasing Australia's sovereign risk, according to John Shipp, Director of ANDEV/IPA North Australia Project. Mr Shipp's comments came as...
ASIC push for surveillance powers goes too far
"The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's push to access the personal data of all Australian web users shows exactly why the government's proposed mandatory data retention regime should not go ahead," said Simon Breheny, Director of...
Regulator lets the cat out of the bag: data retention not just about national security
"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's demand to access Attorney-General Nicola Roxon's proposed data retention regime reveals how dangerous this regime could be," said Simon Breheny, Director of the Rule of Law Project at the free...
Roxon's data retention scheme worse than Australia card
"Attorney-General Nicola Roxon's proposal to force internet service providers to log details of every Australian's internet usage is one of the most significant threats to individual liberty in Australian history," said Simon Breheny, director of...