New Research

Emergency department overcrowding, mortality and the 4-hour rule in Western Australia

06 February 2012Overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs) occurs when the physical or staffing capacity of the department is exceeded by the number of patients waiting to be seen, undergoing assessment and treatment or waiting for departure.

Leveraging limited dollars

06 February 2012This paper will help philanthropic executives and trustees explore three innovative strategies to achieve greater results with their limited grant dollars.

Australian Government ICT expenditure, 2008-09 – 2009-10

03 February 2012This report presents data about Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use and expenditure in 2008-09 and 2009-10 by Australian Government agencies.

The use and abuse of economic modelling in Australia

01 February 2012Economic modelling can and often does make a useful contribution to policy debates, but the fact that it sometimes can should not be confused with the conclusion that it always will.

Fair work amendment (textile, clothing and footwear industry) bill 2011

31 January 2012This digest examines the Fair Work Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry) Bill 2011, currently before the Senate.

Service costs in modern residential aged care facilities

31 January 2012This paper presents the results of a national study of the cost of delivering residential aged care services in modern and efficient facilities.

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Economic policy

Unemployment

Improving Indigenous community governance

02 February 2012Strengthening the organisational capacity of both Indigenous and government organisations is critical to raising the health, wellbeing and prosperity of Indigenous Australian communities.

The role of informal community resources in supporting independent housing for young people recovering from mental illness

30 January 2012This project looks at the housing issues facing young independant people with mental illness.

What are the benefits and risks of home ownership for low-moderate income households?

30 January 2012The study emanated from a concern that popular and political support for home ownership is such that critical questions about the degree to which all home owners realise the projected financial and non-financial benefits of home ownership are rarely asked.

Commentary

Damned lies and economic modelling

06 February 2012Ross Gittins of the National Times main aim this year is to prevent lobbyists from creating dodgy economic models.

Dracula in the blood bank

22 December 2011Next year could be a time for consolidation followed by tough love, writes John Spoehr in The Adelaide Review.

Designing better lives: An economist’s appreciation of design

21 December 2011Using design principles for social service delivery has produced old fashioned innovation, writes Nicholas Gruen

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Topic Guides

Homelessness

  • Public Policy Institute - Australian Catholic University

12 December 2011Despite numerous reports, reviews and initiatives over many years, homelessness remains a policy issue in search of a solution.

Women and work in Australia

28 November 2011Work is defined broadly as productive activity that requires time, energy and skill. It includes paid employment as well as unpaid care and domestic work.

Good practice in transnational education: A guide for New Zealand providers

25 August 2007Providing an introduction to good practice in ‘offshore' education, this 2007 guide draws on the international codes of practice, case studies of large-scale successful overseas programs and reports of quality assurance bodies.

Audio

Lost generation: Governance gone missing in global energy security

Listen to audio
14 November 2011Explaining the urgent need for global coordination of energy resources, Ann Florini suggests that existing institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) are not up to the task.

Charity bank

Listen to audio
03 November 2011According to the Community Council for Australia, there is an urgent need for a 'Better Australia Bank', with $500 million of start-up funding.

Industry

Australian economic indicators, Feb 2012

02 February 2012Primarily a reference document, this publication provides a broad basis for analysis and research on the Australian economy and includes statistics that can be applied to both macro-economic and sectoral analyses.

Report on government services 2012

31 January 2012This report aims to promote awareness about the performance of government services and help drive improvements.

Video

Trends and recent developments in income inequality in Australia

Listen to audio
07 February 2012The 2011 Fay Gale Lecture will be presented by Associate Professor Denise Doiron on the theme Trends and Recent Developments in Income Inequality in Australia.

The blessed unrest

Listen to audio
27 January 2012Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist and author.

Employment

Falling objects fact sheet

07 February 2012This fact sheet provides general guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking and workers on managing risks to health and safety posed by falling objects.

Websites

Census of Population and Housing

04 August 2011This is the official website for matters concerning the 9 August 2011 Census of Population and Housing in Australia.

Australian Social Policy Association (ASPA)

18 July 2011Established to promote debate and to increase understanding of social policy in Australia, the ASPA enables productive collaborations between those working and researching in social policy locally, across the Asia-Pacific region and internationally.

Data.gov.au

28 March 2011Data.gov.au provides an easy way to find, access and reuse public datasets from the Australian Government and state and territory governments.

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Life around here: community, work and family life in three Australian communities

Books

The Creative Industries, Culture and Policy

The Creative Industries, Culture and Policy

  • Terry Flew
  • SAGE Publications
The rise of creative industries allows new thinking in communication, media and cultural studies, media and cultural policy, the arts and also information sectors.Sparking fresh debates and creating a better understanding of culture, in relation to new media and technology.
The rational optimist

The rational optimist

  • Matt Ridley
  • Fourth Estate
Predicting disaster has always sold well. But, over the last 10,000 years, things have usually turned out much better than expected.

Noticeboard

Invitation to collaborate on research
03 July 2009

Beyond mainstream thinking and easy answers, the Australian Business Foundation is looking at the issues that set a new agenda for the future competitiveness of Australian businesses.

Topic Guides

Homelessness

  • Public Policy Institute - Australian Catholic University

12 December 2011Despite numerous reports, reviews and initiatives over many years, homelessness remains a policy issue in search of a solution.

Topics

APO