New Research

No quick fix for Australia’s future energy challenge

06 February 2012This report sets out the findings of the technology assessments and reviews the implications for government policy in terms of developing and deploying low emissions electricity technology.

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.

What are the options? Pricing and taxation policy reforms to redress excessive alcohol consumption and related harms in Australia

24 January 2012Increasing community and political concern about excessive alcohol consumption and related harms in Australia has prompted calls for the introduction of tighter regulatory controls.

Coal seam gas royalties in Australian States and Territories

Coal seam gas royalties in Australian States and Territories

23 January 2012Including commentary from the Henry Tax Review on the use of royalties as a form of resource taxation, this e-brief looks at the CSG industry in NSW and compares petroleum royalty rates across Australia.

Fossil fuel taxes

10 January 2012This paper identifies the fuels that are taxed, the forms that the taxes take and, where possible, quantifies the amounts collected.

Economic policy

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.

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.

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.

The true origins of anti-paternalism

31 January 2012Opposition to government paternalism wasn't always a conservative or libertarian thing, writes Chris Berg in The Drum.

Joining the dots on over consumption

12 December 2011Australia's urban consumption system needs a complete collapse and a hard landing to shake its complacency, writes Barney Foran for APO.

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

Reaping what we sow: agriculture's role in climate change

Listen to audio
03 February 2012Richard Eckard examines how modern agriculture contributes to global warming and discusses ways of mitigating the problem. Presented by Dr Dyani Lewis.

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.

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.

Intelligence Squared: a tax won't fix climate change

Listen to audio
31 October 2011It’s a debate with a decidedly apocalyptic ring: stand by while the dynamics of life on earth change irrevocably, or try to take action that may slow or halt the process – and in so doing possibly compromise our way of life.

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

Taxcheck

13 May 2010Taxcheck uses the 2010/2011 budget forecast to estimate how your tax dollars will be spent.

Taxpayers Research Foundation

12 October 2009Taxpayers Australia is a not-for-profit educational institution that is not affiliated with any political party or any pressure group. The foundation aims to educate taxpayers via the media, educational publications and seminars on issues relating to tax and superannuation.

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.

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.