John Humphreys

Revenue-neutral carbon tax for New Zealand

_{Humphreys, J. and Malpass, L. (2009), Emissions Tax: The Least Worst Option, CIS Issue Analysis 113, Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney.}

Following warnings from mainstream scientists, politicians around the world have rushed to implement a range of taxes, regulations, subsidies and schemes to save humanity from the impending dangers of warmer winters and higher waters. But while the climate change science debate has focused minds for the past few decades, the climate change policy debate has sadly not enjoyed the same attention. Not all policy responses are equal. Before taking action, it is incumbent on our political leaders to carefully consider the benefits and costs of different policy options.

Neo-liberalism or neo-socialism?

_{Published in The Canberra Times on 28 May 2009 under the title “Neo-liberalism: more sinned against than sinning”. Written in my capacity as Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies.}

In recent months, we have heard the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and others waxing lyrical about the sins of “neo-liberalism”. This supposedly evil philosophy suggests that humans should be freely allowed to trade and interact with other people so long as they don’t use violence, coercion or fraud.

Over-regulating charity

_{Humphreys, J. (2009), In Defence of Civil Society: The Virtue of Prescribed Private Funds, CIS Issue Analysis 107, Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney.}

In 2008 Australians donated about $13 billion to welfare, health, education, foreign aid, and other philanthropic sectors. Unfortunately, the government is suggesting new regulations that will limit the flexibility of charitable funds and decrease the quality and quantity of philanthropy. This would be bad policy at any time, but given the current economic situation it is especially important that we protect civil society.

Declaring independence

_{Chapter in: Saunders, P. Humphreys, J. Dubossarsky, E. and Samild. S. (2008), Declaring Dependence, Declaring Independence: Three Essays on the Future of the Welfare State, CIS Occasional Paper 111, Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney.}

This short book looks at a couple of different approaches for returning greater freedom to responsible adults in Australia. The first proposal, by Dubossarsky & Samild, outlines a system where people can “declare dependence” on the state if they are in need, which would come with a series of associated restrictions on their behaviour. The second proposal, by Humphreys, looks at the reverse idea where certain people would have the opportunity to “declare independence” if they can show that they are a net contributor to society.

Revenue-neutral carbon tax in Australia

_{Humphreys, J. (2007), Exploring a Carbon Tax for Australia, CIS Policy Monograph 80, Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney.}

As Australia seems to be heading towards a carbon trading scheme, this paper explains why that would be the worst of all possible outcomes, and considers the possibility of a revenue-natural carbon tax as a less-bad alternative.