Hit and miss: State and territory governments across Australia will fund around $12 billion of concessions and cost-of-living support to households this year. This support comes from a patchwork of programs, built up over decades, that has become a complicated, costly and inequitable system of household support. Together, the support is equivalent to around $1,100 for every Australian household, or up to 10% of tax revenue collected by the states. In some states, the support is equivalent to all gambling revenue or up to one-third of stamp duty revenue.

The fair go is quietly slipping. Australia’s safety net was built on a simple idea: help should go to those who need it most. Over the past decade, we’ve been drifting from it.

Our new report shows how better targeting could restore that principle — saving $21 billion on the way — without affecting most people

Over the next decade, plans are to build at least $65-$85 billion in transmission lines across the east coast of Australia – more than tripling the value of our transmission grid. Transmission is essential for our energy transition, as renewable generation replaces our ageing coal fired power stations that are nearing the end of life.