A major think tank says whoever wins the upcoming federal election should take the opportunity to tackle bold policy reforms so Australia can emerge from the pandemic as a fairer and more prosperous nation.
The Grattan Institute calls for major tax reform among its ambitious policy agenda, which it wants to see the GST increased, or broadened, and the winding back of tax concessions like negative gearing to fund income tax cuts.
Labelled its 'Orange Book 2022' - like the 'Blue' and 'Red' Books that public servants present to incoming coalition and Labor governments - it also calls for cheaper childcare, lower patient payments to medical specialists and dentists, and higher density housing in major capital cities.
It also wants a boost to the JobSeeker dole payment, stronger action on climate change and a Commonwealth integrity commission with teeth.
"This is an ambitious agenda, but decades of policy gridlock mean there are many opportunities to improve Australians' living standards through better policy, the institute's CEO Danielle Wood says.
'Whoever wins the 2022 federal election needs to get the ball rolling, so Australia can emerge from the pandemic as a fairer, more prosperous and more optimistic nation."
Drawing in analysis published by the institute since it was founded 13 years ago, it wants to reduce the number of Australians who delay or skip getting needed healthcare.
It says the government should ensure patients pay less out of their own pocket when they see a medical specialist or the dentist.
To tackle the scourge of poverty and homelessness, the government should boost Commonwealth Rent Assistance by at least 40 per cent and JobSeeker by at least $75 a week.
It says to create job opportunities as Australia pursues its target of net-zero emissions by 2050, the government should collaborate with industry to build on the comparative advantages in renewable energy and critical minerals.
"No government could implement in a single term all the reforms we recommend in the Orange Book," Ms Wood says.
But she says if governments were to tackle a reasonable number of them over the next decade, it could transform Australia, with higher incomes, less poverty, better-quality and more efficiently delivered services, a liveable climate, and stronger democratic institutions.
"The 2022 election campaign should be the starting gun for the race to build a better Australia," she says.
