"The failure of carbon offsets to cut planet-heating pollution is “not due to a few bad apples”, a review paper has found, but down to deep-seated systemic problems that incremental change will not solve" says the Guardian...

"The Attorney-General’s Department was unable to present evidence of the malicious and automated FOI requests alleged by the government." Great article from @dholmesnoise.bsky.social in @themandarin.bsky.social today, covering the latest.

Our research reveals that the failures in Australia’s freedom of information (FOI) scheme lie with the government, not with applicants. The government’s proposal to limit FOI requests by charging fees instead of fixing the broken system misdiagnoses the problem. Read:

The Government justified a clamp down on freedom of information requests by claiming an increase in malicious and automated FOI attempts. Only problem is, there's no evidence of such a thing. Our research showed that the number of FOI requests has not increased, but processing time has. 🔗⤵️ #auspol

The new research also shows that it's government inefficiency, not the number of requests, behind the growing cost of the FOI system. Read the full report for more ⤵️ australiainstitute.org.au/post/governm...

Great to see our research being used in Parliament! Australia Institute research shows that the proposed changes to Freedom of Information laws would make a repeat of the Robodebt coverup more likely, not less. @davidshoebridge.bsky.social #auspol

Column today www.theguardian.com/environment/...

It doesn't matter if you don't believe in climate change. Your insurer does. The more extreme climate events and disasters that occur around the world – the higher Australian insurance premiums will be. It's why we're calling for compensation levy on gas & coal exports > theaus.in/fossilfuelco...

Dr Shortis discusses Trump and Netanyahu's 20-point peace plan for Gaza - which did not include Palestinians in the negotiating process - on the latest episode of After America. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts 🔊 australiainstitute.org.au/post/trumps-...

Big congrats to Santos Ltd!! 10 years. $46.7 billion in sales. ZERO TAX New ATO data out today. @markogge.bsky.social @australiainstitute.org.au data.gov.au/data/dataset...

Govt spent $101K of YOUR money on lawyers trying to keep a Maugean Skate brief from YOU. They lost the fight. Instead of rethinking their resistance to transparency, @albomp.bsky.social’s solution to balancing the books is to charge citizens $40 to receive an erroneous #FOI decision. 🤦‍♂️ #auspol

Nearly one-fifth of Australia's domestic emissions comes from the process of extracting and shipping gas and coal for export. With a new 2035 target imminent, this is an easy place for the Government to find real emissions reductions. Read: australiainstitute.org.au/post/nearly-...

Read Chief Economist Greg Jericho’s article in The Guardian to learn more: www.theguardian.com/business/gro... Read our report to learn the three simple steps which would raise $70 billion a year in extra tax: australiainstitute.org.au/post/three-s...

Tax is an important part of our society so why did 91 millionaires pay no tax in 2022? “Those 91 people earned over $1 million but had deductions so large they reduced the amount of tax they paid to zero.” - Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist @mattgrudnoff.bsky.social #auspol

Has the gas industry captured WA? Perth, join us on Tuesday with @punterspolitics.bsky.social and @markogge.bsky.social to talk all things gas. #auspol

Why doesn't big business in Australia invest more? Because it's easier for oligopolies to just gouge their customers instead of taking a risk. @mattgrudnoff.bsky.social @elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social #auspol

I fought Scott Morrison on National Cabinet secrecy during the COVID pandemic. I won that fight because his secrecy declaration was inconsistent with the law. @albomp.bsky.social is smarter than Morrison - he’s trying to expand Cabinet secrecy by changing the law. #auspol

Four dolphins have been killed in the last 6 months at Huon Aquaculture salmon farms (owned by JBS, one of the three foreign-owned salmon corporations operating in Tasmania).

Rex Patrick breaks down “the biggest ever assault on government transparency”

“Fossil fuel companies causing climate change are buying influence with Australia’s leading research organisations, just like tobacco companies bought off medical researchers last century." - Rod Campbell, Research Director @rodcampbell.bsky.social australiainstitute.org.au/post/fossil-...

🔴 Murray Watt has been tasked with 'fast tracking' the much delayed environmental law changes, while the Coalition remain split over net zero. The big news of the day, live with @amyremeikis.bsky.social on our live blog ⤵️ live.australiainstitute.org.au

Read Allan Behm’s op ed here: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/904921... ✍️ Sign our petition here: nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aukus_parlia...

More details on @australiainstitute.org.au live blog: live.australiainstitute.org.au/category/aus...

Senator @davidshoebridge.bsky.social has introduced a private member's bill that would protect the right to protest. @australiainstitute.org.au polling research last year finds 71% of Australians support protest protections.

Victoria’s former anti-corruption chief says the level of funding provided to the Tasmanian Integrity Commission is “disgraceful”. “The commission’s funding is so low; it begs the question of whether it’s deliberate in order to avoid scrutiny.” - Eloise Carr @eloise-carr.bsky.social #auspol

"We know Australians want to see native forest protected, not logged, because it's the highest emitting carbon sector in Tasmania." 📻 Australia Institute Tasmania Director Eloise Carr unpacked the problems with native forest logging on ABC Radio Hobart #auspol @eloise-carr.bsky.social

I'm speaking at Monash Uni tomorrow about Australia's gas policy mess and Woodside in particular. @australiainstitute.org.au @nteumonash.bsky.social

Australia Institute polling shows more than 77% of Tasmanians want a new anti-corruption commission, with stronger mechanisms to investigate misconduct and corruption. #auspol

Will all make for a very interesting update to @australiainstitute.org.au paper on forming power-sharing government -- This is the 26th power-sharing parliament in Aus since 1989! australiainstitute.org.au/report/formi...

Labor would make a historic choice for state treasurer: independent MLC Ruth Forrest. Interesting because, as an upper house MP, Forrest's vote isn't needed for forming govt. Eric Abetz MLC is Liberal choice for treasurer. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

Australia has a proud tradition of disruptive protests -- for @australiainstitute.org.au I look at eight protest movements that were controversial in their day but celebrated now. australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-pro...

Australia's preferential voting system is often praised, and for good reason. But in terms of reflecting overall votes cast it's not much better than first past the post. My look at how our winner-takes-all voting system skews election outcomes for @australiainstitute.org.au 👇 #auspol

“Australia’s approach to emissions accounting is greenwash in real time. Modelled carbon “removals” from natural ecosystems enable the government to approve new coal and gas projects while still claiming that emissions are falling,” Polly Hemming in the Saturday Paper

UN climate chief warns Australia not to pick a ‘bog standard’ 2035 carbon emissions target www.theguardian.com/environment/...

31 orgs have published an open letter with 10 asks for the environment from whomever forms Tasmania's next government. When crossbenchers and major parties have struck successful power-sharing agreements elsewhere, they covered policy as well as procedure, making now the time for progress.

For the second consecutive election, Tasmanians have voted in a power-sharing parliament. @leanneminshull.bsky.social & @eloise-carr.bsky.social join @ebonybennett.bsky.social to discuss why voters aren't afraid of collaborative parliaments. 🎧 theaus.in/46UHlic

Greg Barnes' Mercury column is interesting today: "A power-sharing arrangement in Tasmania must include a commitment to... ending regulatory capture which is most evident in the case of the salmon industry." "Sensible" power-sharing wins are sighted from australiainstitute.org.au/post/what-a-...

Good question: "Why should taxpayers fork out a 15 per cent to 30 per cent tax break (the difference between either the 30 per cent company tax rate or the 45 per cent top bracket for personal income tax) to someone with $5 million, $10 million, $25 million or even $50 million in super?"

A reminder that all Australian coastlines are reeling from rising sea temperatures - it’s not just coral bleaching. For every fish that washes up on a beach, millions of sedentary bottom-dwelling animals and plants are quietly dying.

And in shocking news, all the transphobes who are all about "protecting women sports" are not supporting them.

Want an extra $877m in Tassie's annual budget? @mattgrudnoff.bsky.social shows how...

When political parties argue, ‘it’s toxic to govern in minority with Greens’ because the electorate punishes you, they fail to say that they went from majority to minority because the electorate tried to get rid of them. After another 3-4 yrs, the electorate made sure of it. #politas 🧵

New research out today shows more than twice as many Labor voters support Labor forming government with the Greens and Independent crossbench members as oppose (61% agree vs 25% disagree).

The major parties rely more on preferences to win elections than ever before, our new analysis shows. “One of the great Australian innovations is the full preferential voting system, which guarantees that you cannot waste your vote,” said @browne90.bsky.social. #auspol

Analysis of the 2025 election makes it clear that minor party and independent preferences behind Labor’s landslide victory #OffTheCharts @browne90.bsky.social @skyelark.bsky.social @joshuablackjb.bsky.social australiainstitute.org.au/post/major-p...

Today is the LAST CHANCE to make your tax-deductible donation before the End of Financial Year, and double your impact! Thank you to everyone who has already donated! 🧡 theaus.in/EOFYbsky1

Regular reminder: Green hydrogen in Aus = essential Hydrogen exports = ridiculous 1/x @australiainstitute.org.au www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/125bn...

Australia, Canada, Norway and U.S. are responsible for nearly 70% of projected carbon-dioxide (CO2) pollution from new fossil fuel projects between 2025 and 2035. Also Australia - "we are a renewable powerhouse and should host COP31" #nonewcoal #nonewgas #climatecrisis oilchange.org/blogs/planet...

ICYMI from @browne90.bsky.social Director of Democracy and Accountability: "Power-sharing works elsewhere in Australia, and Tasmanians are increasingly voting in a way that makes power-sharing likely...the question for party leaders is not whether they will work with the crossbench, but how."

It beggars belief that in the thick of climate and biodiversity crises this needs spelling out, but it does: "Some developments are problematic and shouldn’t be approved quickly, or at all... environment laws should protect the environment." Well said @adammorton.bsky.social #politas