Policy makers need timely information to decide whether economic stimulus might be required. A new indicator based on the unemployment rate can help.
Election 2019: the result wasn’t the only surprise
The 2019 federal election: four surprising charts on what we know so far.
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The Coalition’s tax plan will make the system less progressive. What does that mean?
We explain tax progressivity and its measurement.
read more The Coalition’s tax plan will make the system less progressive. What does that mean?
School funding – where the money went
From 2008 to 2017, private schools got nearly all the increase in effective school funding.
What the Coalition’s tax plan means for high-income earners and the tax system
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has been dodging questions on how much high-income earners will benefit from his tax plan and what it means for the progressivity of Australia’s tax system. Here are the answers.
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Batman Climate change returns
Climate change media mentions substantially declined from 2011. But in 2019 climate change is back on the agenda.
The misleading housing statistic that just won’t die
It’s the misleading housing statistic that just won’t die. But it isn’t a claim being made by politicians in the heat of an election campaign. Instead it keeps appearing in the reports of some of Australia’s most prominent housing researchers.
read more The misleading housing statistic that just won’t die
Using the right survey to measure retiree spending
A case study on why you shouldn’t use the Melbourne Institute’s HILDA survey to analyse household spending in Australia. It’s missing half of all household expenditure!
read more Using the right survey to measure retiree spending
How to improve dental care for kids
Australia has an extensive dental care subsidy scheme for children, but not many families use it. What can be done about this?
Global emissions from Australian carbon exports dwarf any declines in Australia’s domestic emissions
Recent increases in emissions from Australia’s fossil fuel exports dwarf any domestic reductions. Global emissions released overseas from coal and gas exported from Australia have more doubled since 2000, and are now more than double Australia’s domestic emissions.