Emma Dawson

Insights
January 14, 2026

Reforming the Capital Gains Tax Discount

Why reducing the 50 per cent discount would improve the tax system  By Lucas Lewit-Mendes Capital gains tax (CGT) was introduced in 1985 as part of reforms to broaden the income tax base and reduce the rate. CGT is leviable on the increase in the value of an asset, such as property or shares, and ... Read more
Insights
December 17, 2025

Impact Report 2025

2025 was a year of many milestones and achievements for our small but mighty team. In 2026 Per Capita plans to: • Expand our team to enable us to work on more projects • Expand our work on diversity to enhance social cohesion • Ramp up our tax reform advocacy • Explore new avenues in ... Read more
Equitable Housing
December 17, 2025

Supportive Housing Needs Assessment: Inner-City Adelaide

Delivering the necessary infrastructure and services in Adelaide would represent a foundational step in realising the goal of ending chronic homelessness in South Australia.
Equitable Housing
December 17, 2025

Supportive Housing (SH) Needs Assessment for Perth and Bunbury, Western Australia

Supportive Housing is a proven, evidence-based model with strong local and international support. Delivering the necessary infrastructure and services in Perth and Bunbury would represent a foundational step in realising the goal of ending chronic homelessness in Western Australia.
Progressive Economics
December 12, 2025

Submission to Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount

The size of the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, currently 50 per cent, goes beyond the purpose of the discount and undermines the progressive nature of Australia’s personal income tax system. This submission outlines why we believe it is the case.
Insights
December 9, 2025

Inclusionary Zoning Cheat Sheet: Key Points to Email Your MP

Subject: Please support mandatory inclusionary zoning in Victoria Dear [MP Name], I’m writing to express my concern that the current planning reforms do not include any mechanism to secure affordable housing. Victoria urgently needs mandatory inclusionary zoning to ensure new developments contribute to addressing our housing crisis. Why this matters Victoria is planning huge housing ... Read more
Insights
December 8, 2025

Australia’s Public Sector Is Far Smaller Than Debates Suggest

By Osmond Chiu, Research Fellow Over the past year, a chart by The Economist from April 2025 has gone viral – circulating heavily on LinkedIn and cited by conservative thinktanks and parliamentarians to argue that Australia has a “bloated” government. The chart claims that, adjusted for population, Australia has 143 public sector employees per 1,000 ... Read more
Insights
November 24, 2025

Economic shock resilience: the wealthy hand to mouth effect

By Michael D’Rosario Government policies that incentivise property investment do so at ever increasing personal debt levels resulting in Australia evidencing the second highest level of personal debt after the Swiss. This means that Australian households while wealthy in net wealth and asset terms, carry far more risk than nearly all other individuals within advanced ... Read more
Progressive Economics
November 20, 2025

Submission to the Inquiry into Building Asia Capability

Our submission outlines practical approaches to strengthening Asia capability across the education system and within broader society, including through diaspora engagement, partnerships, and leadership development.
Past Events
November 19, 2025

From Resistance to Reform with Prof Philip Mendes

In his new book “From Resistance to Reform: Case studies of long term social justice advocacy in Australia”, Prof Philip Mendes presents a comprehensive historical and political analysis of four policy areas where reform was achieved after many years of neglect. – Young people transitioning from out-of-home care – Medically supervised injecting facilities – Social ... Read more
Watch Recording
Insights
November 17, 2025

AI’s Next Safety Test: looking beyond performative protections

By Dr Michael D’Rosario When OpenAI announced its latest wave of safety improvements in ChatGPT’s mental-health responses, the company framed the development as a major ethical advance. Working with more than 170 clinicians worldwide, it reported that the model now handles conversations about psychosis, mania, self-harm, and emotional dependence with up to 80 per cent ... Read more