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Jack Thrower

@jack-thrower.bsky.social
3K followers 326 following 13 posts

he/him | deputy research director at @australiainstitute.org.au | interests in economic policy, inequality, the welfare state and industrial relations | views my own

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Reposted by Jack Thrower
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 25/06/2026
If Europe chooses massive, oversized EVs rather than right-sized EVs, it will have to pay an extra 36 billion in car charging bills + an extra 2,500 people will be killed by cars uploads.transportenvironment.org/production/f...
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Alice Grundy @alicektg.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
"Rich Kid, Poor Kid reinforces the urgency and devastation of the school funding problem in Australia. @janecaro.bsky.social delivers the story in a way that should propel readers into action" says Elisa Di Gregorio in The Conversation theconversation.com/australias-f...
theconversation.com
Australia’s frighteningly unequal funding system favours private schools, argues Jane Caro. How can we fix it?
Rich Kid, Poor Kid highlights the urgency and devastation of the school funding problem in Australia.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Shell Oil suggested they were putting $1m into the Aus Energy Producers advert campaign because its adverts need to meet "Advertising Standards" "unlike those from The Australia Institute" So @jack-thrower.bsky.social & I decided to fact check their advert live.thepoint.com.au
live.thepoint.com.au
The Point Live: Business and gas companies have their say on gas tax proposals.
Representatives from the Business Council, Shell and ConocoPhillips are among those fronting the gas tax senate inquiry today, while the health minister lays out proposed changes to the NDIS.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
"Norway and Qatar show Australia doesn’t have to give the gas industry a free pass" by @jack-thrower.bsky.social @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au
Norway and Qatar show Australia doesn’t have to give the gas industry a free pass
For decades, Australia has tolerated a rapidly growing gas industry that pays little tax and royalties, employs few people, pushes up gas and electricity prices for Australian families and businesses,...
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 07/04/2026
Incredible @jack-thrower.bsky.social chart here for @thepointau.bsky.social - the # of utes FAR exceeds the number of tradies and farmers in Aus These are land-based luxury private jets, fossil-fuelled,heavily subsidised by the gov't and justified on flimsy pretence thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
But don’t people need SUVs and utes for work and the weekend?
A common argument is that these ever-larger vehicles are needed by tradies and farmers for work or by families to pull caravans and boats. Any attempts to reduce the growth in the ‘big car’ fleet meet spurious cries about being ‘unfair to tradies’ or ‘destroying the weekend’.

But such claims don’t hold up.



In the statistics, utes are categorised as light commercial vehicles (LCVs). There are non-utes in this category (for instance vans), but it is overwhelmingly (at least three-quarters) utes. Back in 1988, there was less than one (about 0.7) LCV for each tradie and farmer. From 1988 to 2024 the number of tradies and farmers grew by a third (32%) while the number of LCVs more than tripled (244% growth). This means today there are nearly two (1.9) LCVs for each tradie or farmer.

When it comes to the weekend, we already have around five times as many SUVs as boat trailers or caravans.
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kristin (she/her) @kristin8x.antipovertycentre.org · 01/04/2026
With fuel restrictions likely to be announced tonight & presumably no meaningful COVID-scale support package to come with it, I think folks who assume Labor can’t possibly lose the next election are vastly overconfident. Morrison alleviated discomfort with COVID restrictions by HELPING people.
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Jack Thrower @jack-thrower.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Following up from last night's shocking Four Corners, great analysis from Dr @marijataflaga.bsky.social, Dr Francis Markham and Distinguished Professor Keith Dowding on the broken governance structures that lead to these scandals. thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
Lessons from ANU for Australia’s university governance crisis
The Australian National University (ANU) has spent the past eighteen months in a state of rolling crisis. The headline issues are now familiar. In October 2024, a large projected deficit was announce...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Australia's gun laws in major need of reform. 200,000+ gun owners in don't use their weapons for the reasons stated on their licence. This is a major security risk for the community Great story on SMH front page on important new @australiainstitute.org.au research. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Subsidies to mining companies growing faster than the NDIS, child care, aged care. Australian gov fossil fuel subsidies now at $30,000 every minute of every day. Great piece on @australiainstitute.org.au latest research www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Australian governments subsidising fossil fuel use by more than $30,000 a minute, analysis finds
Australia Institute data finds state and federal subsidies for coal, gas and oil products increased 10% in past year, growing at a faster pace than funding to NDIS
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
"Is the Australian dream to own your own home or someone else’s?" @jack-thrower.bsky.social Angus Taylor seems to think the capital gains tax discount helps achieve the Australian dream. But as Jack points out... it's only for investment properties! live.thepoint.com.au/2026/03/the-...
live.thepoint.com.au
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Do beer drinkers pay more tax than gas companies? Yes, they do! Beer excise > PRRT Beer drinkers' income tax > gas company income tax Thread below, full details here: australiainstitute.org.au/report/tax-b...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Policy analysis from actual homelessness case worker. Proud to have helped with this piece. thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
The last stop on the train line of Australia’s social failures: Tales of a homelessness case worker on the NSW South Coast
Life as a homelessness case worker is brutal. You often feel like the last stop on the train line of our country’s social failures. Hardest of all is knowing that people aren’t helped as well as they ...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Let's get this straight. Adani donates $600k the Qld LNP before election. After the election, Qld LNP ends legal action over $400 MILLION in unpaid royalties. Dodgy, dodgy, dodgy. Thread. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage by Bob Debus for @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage
The revelation that the Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is proposing to log a cloud forest in southern NSW teeming with threatened species is another reminder of the spiralling decline of the nati...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Triple J Hottest 100 out tomorrow! Last year just 27 Aus songs made it. Lowest since 1994!! Why? – Streaming favours the USA Thankfully, DJ Albo is in the house and can turn this around! Thread on how.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Excellent post by @jack-thrower.bsky.social on what the media gets wrong about protests and why the lines about "where are the protests against Iran" are pretty stupid. #ThePointLive live.thepoint.com.au#037390705a
live.thepoint.com.au
The Point Live: Parliament returns early for Bondi condolence motions
Anthony Albanese has recalled parliament early for condolence motions to remember the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach terror attack, on 14 December. Tibor Weitzen, Matilda, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Marik...
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Miners exaggerating tax. Again. What's new is that this is so demonstrably false. Will they take down false ads? If you see this ad after today, please let me know. Debunked on @thepointau.bsky.social here, more below: thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
The Albanese govt is considering an East Coast gas reservation policy. And ok... but how about putting a 25% tax of gas exports so we stop giving it away for free?
A shit tonne of gas exportsFuck all revenue from the PRRT
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Andrew Norton @andrewjnorton.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
The ATEC legislation makes it look like student contribution reform is off the political agenda. andrewnorton.id.au/2025/12/01/t...
andrewnorton.id.au
The Australian Tertiary Education Commission legislation – Part 3, Per student funding and student contributions
Since it came to office, Labor has deferred dealing with Job-ready Graduates student contributions. First it added student contributions to the Universities Accord list of issues. In February 2024 …
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Jack Thrower @jack-thrower.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Important piece about a mostly missed element of the EPBC changes
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Jack Thrower @jack-thrower.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Govt cowardice all that is delaying gambling reform www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
thenewdaily.com.au
Only thing in way of gambling reform is government's cowardice
Gambling reform has the support of the public and a cross-party committee – only the Albanese government's cowardice is holding it back.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
"Albanese Government set to use social media ban as cover to water down gambling reforms yet again" @jack-thrower.bsky.social #ThePoint thepoint.com.au/news/251124-...
thepoint.com.au
Albanese Government set to use social media ban as cover to water down gambling reforms yet again
If Albanese is serious about ‘progressive patriotism’ he could start by prioritising the livelihoods of Australians over the profits of gambling companies.
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Adani have scammed Qld out of $100s of millions and the LNP Gov are fine with that. Great to see Labor and Greens pursuing this in QParl and the media. Features numbers from @australiainstitute.org.au research.
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Why does the Albanese Government treat Japan’s energy security as more important than our own? Let's hope someone asks Japan's Ambassador when he speaks at the National Press Club today! My piece at @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 22/10/2025
The Federal Government's plan for university reform is welcome and much needed. Australian unis are overseen by Vice-Chancellors paid vast sums of money, who preside over a sector failing its staff and students. 📺Senior Economist Jack Thrower on WIN News @jack-thrower.bsky.social #auspol
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Bill Browne @browne90.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
What did we learn from yesterday's election data drop and why will we have to wait till February for the full picture? @rashidajourno.bsky.social explains on SBS News. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
sbs.com.au
Big bills, no seat: Some of the federal election's big spenders didn't actually win
Independent candidates received and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get elected to federal parliament — some unsuccessfully.
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Bill Browne @browne90.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Many NSW residents don't realise that the "Westpac" Rescue Helicopter's operations aren't funded by Westpac, but by taxpayers. Ripper piece from @sydmorningherald.bsky.social www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
smh.com.au
‘Every dollar counts’: Westpac Rescue spends big on high teas, golf days, lavish balls
The service, which has announced an investigation into allegations of a toxic and unsafe workplace, splashes more on fundraising and events than other agencies.
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 02/10/2025
The ANU says it's in crisis. Does this look like a financial crisis to you?
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Marija Taflaga @marijataflaga.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
open.spotify.com/episode/1OPE... In this week's DS episode @jennaprice.bsky.social, Sinclair Davidson, Mark and I discuss the governance crisis in the Australian University sector. It is telling when folk from across the political spectrum agree on the problem and most of the solution A thread🧵
open.spotify.com
Universities in crisis
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 11/09/2025
"The core problem is a vacuum of accountability. In the university sector, no one is held responsible for failure, at least no one at the top." @jack-thrower.bsky.social in the Canberra Times Read: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/906393...
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 03/09/2025
Tickets are on sale now for our Revenue Summit 2025! Speakers include Steven Miles, David Pocock, Kate Chaney, Jordan van den Lamb, and more! 📅Wed 29 Oct 📍Parliament House, Canberra Get your tickets! 👇👇 #auspol
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
I'm speaking at Monash Uni tomorrow about Australia's gas policy mess and Woodside in particular. @australiainstitute.org.au @nteumonash.bsky.social
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Jack Thrower @jack-thrower.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Proof that we're different people (mostly...)
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 22/07/2025
"Australians should insist that the country’s leaders represent the interests of Australians, not multinational gas corporations," writes @markogge.bsky.social. Why is the Prime Minister gaslighting Australians on North West Shelf? – @thenewdaily.bsky.social
thenewdaily.com.au
Why is the PM gaslighting Australians on North West Shelf?
Given Labor's climate-change assertions, its approval extension of the most climate destroying fossil project in Australia is shocking.
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 22/07/2025
Fix the GST to unlock more than $2 billion for SA Noah Schultz-Byard, director of the Australia Institute South Australia asks whether South Australia will accept our shrinking share of the GST and risk even deeper service cuts by 2030, or will we fight for tax reform. #sapol
indailysa.com.au
Fix the GST to unlock more than $2 billion for SA - News | InDaily, Inside South Australia
Will South Australia accept our shrinking share of the GST and risk even deeper service cuts by 2030? Or will we fight for tax reform?
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 30/06/2025
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
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 25/06/2025
Nearly a quarter of the seats in parliament are "non-classic" contests - where either 1st or 2nd is not a major party - incl the seats held by the ALP, Lib & Nats leaders #OffTheCharts @browne90.bsky.social @skyelark.bsky.social @joshuablackjb.bsky.social australiainstitute.org.au/post/for-maj...
Chart showing the growth of seats where a crossbench party or indep either came first or 2nd. 

IN 1990 it was 3, in 2025 it was 35.
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 17/06/2025
ANU attacks union poll for lack of integrity, but keeps its own survey results secret @jack-thrower.bsky.social in the Canberra Times, writes on the ANU's scandals and lack of transparency.
canberratimes.com.au
ANU attacks union poll for lack of integrity, but keeps its own survey results secret
Staff trust is necessary for any successful project.
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Our ANU @ouranu.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
“In other words, the ANU is saying that the success of their work depends on the public staying in the dark about how ANU staff members are actually feeling.” @jack-thrower.bsky.social with yet more evidence of opacity and poor governance at ANU. www.canberratimes.com.au/story/899301...
canberratimes.com.au
ANU attacks union poll for lack of integrity, but keeps its own survey results secret
Staff trust is necessary for any successful project.
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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 16/06/2025
Australia has an opportunity to get out of AUKUS. We should take it. We ask the Albanese Government to prioritise Australia's interests and security, and to join the UK and the US Governments in undertaking an independent parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. ✍️ Add your name: theaus.in/AUKUS_inquiry
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Emma Shortis @emmashortis.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Members of the crossbench have written to Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles, calling for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into Aukus. In April, polling by @australiainstitute.org.au found 56% of Australians support such a move.
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Oh look, Env Minister Murray Watt could approve a brand new coal mine in the next 10 days. @australiainstitute.org.au #CoalMineTracker 1/2
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
"Confected outrage at the very wealthy paying slightly more tax is misguided and misdirected." Great piece on proposed super changes by @gemkillen.bsky.social womensagenda.com.au/latest/dont-...
womensagenda.com.au
Don't let the confected outrage fool you, the super tax reform is good for women
Confected outrage at the very wealthy paying slightly more tax on their super is misguided and misdirected.
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Rod Campbell @rodcampbell.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Very excited that @ketanjoshi.co is working with @australiainstitute.org.au!!! Check out his post on Woodside, dodgy offsets and the safeguard mechanism... australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-saf...
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Mark Ogge @markogge.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Presumably he will tell him there is no way his government will approve a 50-year extension Woodside’s climate destroying North West Shelf gas EXPORT terminal that will cause 4.3 BILLION tonnes of emissions and make floods more frequent and extreme….
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Mark Ogge @markogge.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Woodside’s North West Shelf gas EXPORT terminal has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since @walabor.bsky.social stupidly let them to export WAs domestic gas reserves from Waitsia Will @australianlabor.bsky.social approve a 50-year extension- decades of higher energy bills for WA? 🧵👇
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Mark Ogge @markogge.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Claims that North West Shelf (NWS) extension are necessary for firming electricity are pure gaslighting. NWS is about EXPORTS It exports more of WA’s domestic gas reserves than it supplies to WA. NWS = LESS gas for WA Receipts in 🧵👇 thewest.com.au/politics/fed...
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Mark Ogge @markogge.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Read that again. One giant gas export project, worse than all Australia’s coal power stations. 6 BILLION + tonnes of emissions. Will @australianlabor.bsky.social approve it? If so, their climate climate credentials will be in tatters. Worse than Morrison. reneweconomy.com.au/new-legal-ch...
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