Archived publication for May 2008
Recent publications

ACCC analysis of FuelWatch unconvincing

MEDIA RELEASE

A critique of the ACCC analysis of the FuelWatch scheme

Much has been made of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission analysis of the Western Australian FuelWatch scheme. This paper investigates the ACCC analysis published last December and comments briefly on the additional analysis the...

The politics of wheat

FACTS | Louise Staley and Tim Wilson

For purely domestic political reasons, the government takes a strongly protectionist approach to the Australian wheat industry by limiting who can export wheat in bulk, the main form for transport of grain in the international grain trade.

New evidence of old concerns: Fair trade myths exposed... Again

OCCASIONAL PAPER | Sinclair Davidson and Tim Wilson

This paper outlines new evidence questioning the benefits of fair trade; and demonstrates that concerns about fair trade's environmental, social and economic benefits are not merely differing ‘interpretations'.

All in good cause: Framing science for public policy

OCCASIONAL PAPER | Aynsley Kellow

Editorial and Table of Contents, May 2008

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Chris Berg

It's always interesting to see how newly elected leaders respond to stimuli. And Kevin Rudd gave a clear indication of his tolerance for criticism at the beginning of April. The Prime Minister's trip abroad had a peculiar schedule. He was to visit...

Budget holidays matter, of course

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Christian Kerr

Canberra local politics barely registers outside the ACT, but Liberals around the country may be taught some rude realpolitik by a group of local party dissidents. While Western Australia could go to the polls from late June, the next scheduled...

Reflections on the 'Howard Project'

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | John Kunkel

John Howard's speechwriter on the successes and failures of the Howard message... Did John Howard have a specific ‘vision' for Australia during the eleven and a half years he was Prime Minister? I would say: ‘No'. For those who believe...

Castro's retirement brings out the narcissism of the Western left

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Andrew Kemp

After half a century in power Fidel Castro resigned in March this year. The opportunity for Cubans to get the political, social and economic freedom they desperately need has never been greater. But who cares? Certainly not the left wing media....

Rudd's summit misses the point of policy

IPA REVIEW ARTICLE | Wolfgang Kasper

Kevin Rudd's government was inspired early into its term to call upon Australia's ‘one-thousand most intelligent people' to nominate themselves to be invited to a talkfest in Canberra to harvest ideas. Leading opposition politicians quickly...