Opinion & Commentary
Opinion and Commentary contains media articles written by CIS researchers.
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Why a sovereign wealth fund won't work
Many of the desirable objectives of a sovereign wealth fund could be achieved through greater use of enforceable fiscal policy rules that would enable politicians to make long-term commitments to responsible...... Read More
Gonski: less for private schools
The Gonski report's model as it applies to non-government schools has several redeeming features. It provides for a minimum per student public funding entitlement for all non-government schools regardless...... Read More
Future Funds or Future Eaters? The case against a Sovereign Wealth Fund for Australia
It has also been argued that Australia needs a SWF to better manage the macroeconomic consequences of the “terms of trade” boom, such as the rising Australian dollar and the so-called “Dutch disease”....... Read More
Independent thinking for financing future
Health already devours over 10 per cent of GDP each year and 70% of health funding is funnelled through federal and state government programs. Because health dollars are not spent efficiently the community...... Read More
Gonski review must not hobble choice
On Monday, the report of the federal government’s Review of Funding for Schooling, commonly known as the ‘Gonski review’ will be released, along with the government’s initial response. So far,...... Read More
In search of a Greek hero
To escape from its current mess, Greece does not need more Sisyphus work. It needs someone to tackle the Herculean task of cutting the country loose from Europe’s monetary union.... Read More
Open up debate on welfare
Poor people are often those who miss out on adequate health care: people who can’t afford to go to private hospitals and don’t have the capability to advocate for themselves.... Read More
Fast rail go-slow
Long-distance passenger trains are running slower than they were in the steam engine era on some lines in New South Wales and on one line in Victoria, and interstate rail freight is steadily losing market...... Read More
A Ponzi by any other name
Georgios Chatzimarkakis, a German-Greek member of the European Parliament, just had a splendid idea. In an interview with tabloid newspaper Bild, he suggested a new name for Greece. From now on the country...... Read More
Give austerity a chance
Fiscal policy should focus on micro-economic issues such as promoting incentives to save, work and invest, as well as ensuring the long-term sustainability of public finances.... Read More
Education crucial to Aboriginal jobs
The problem is not a shortage of jobs in the mining sector. More local Aboriginal people would be employed in mines if they had the skills for employment.... Read More
An EU fix stuck at German denial
The summit-less time is over and the professional euro rescuers are back at work. After the first crisis meeting of EU leaders this year, the future of Europe’s common currency is as uncertain as before....... Read More
It's time to bust open the pharmacists' closed shop
Pharmacists are vital healthcare professionals. But as Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott look to keep the nation's health budget sustainable, it's also clear that very substantive savings can be made from...... Read More
Hallmarks of an EU power play
The tragedy of the European crisis is not that it was caused by striving for too much economic efficiency. The real tragedy is that it could have been predicted by public choice theory.... Read More
An Indigenous program that’s boxing clever
At risk Aboriginal youth are given an outlet to build self esteem through a boxing program with Redfern police.... Read More
Paying for Europe's wishful thinking
It is one of the most used phrases in the eurozone crisis: Buying time. The measures taken by European politicians over the past two years have obviously not solved the problems. Instead, they provided...... Read More
It's all a bit on the nose
Teaching and understanding the rules of civil society extends beyond new immigrants. Most Australians need a lesson too.... Read More
Why Merkozy is destined to fail
The eurozone crisis may soon return with more bad news from bond markets. Pity Europe’s leaders are too busy to deal with it.... Read More
Testing the RBA's DNA
As a practical first step towards more RBA independence, perhaps politicians of all parties could refrain from both applauding and criticising RBA decisions. It is none of their business.... Read More
Why reform worked in 1985
Unlike Gillard and Swan, Hawke and Keating knew what they wanted to do... Read More
