New Research

Regulation, economic instruments and sustainable energy

24 May 2012Exploring the roles of a range of policy instruments that might be introduced by governments to facilitate a transition to a low carbon economy, this paper focuses on the energy sector (as distinct from transportation or deforestation).

Legal and governance models for shared services in local government

24 May 2012Investigating models of shared services delivery, this report considers some varying legal options and models in use across Australia and provides a summary of those options, illustrated by five case studies.

Housing supply bonds - a suitable instrument to channel investment towards affordable housing in Australia?

23 May 2012The aim of this study is to develop a special purpose financial instrument, identified in this report as Housing Supply Bonds, to finance the supply of affordable rental housing in Australia.

Costing global trade barriers, 1900 to 2050

Costing global trade barriers, 1900 to 2050

22 May 2012This paper addresses that question by first reviewing evidence on the changing extent of global trade restrictions since 1900, particularly for agricultural and manufactured goods.

Regional cooperation towards green Asia: trade in low carbon goods and services

22 May 2012It is logical to argue that low carbon goods and services (LCGS) led growth is an imperative for the Asia Pacific countries, particularly for the emerging Asian economies, which are heavily dependent on imported energy and resources.

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Climate change

Urban planning

Commentary

Place based and place paced public policy

24 May 2012Policy designed in isolation from the context into which it is to be delivered can lead to ineffective outcomes argues Allen Consulting Group's Les Trudzik.

Failing to plan, is planning to fail

24 May 2012Australia need to get back in the game of picking winners says AWU National Secretary, Paul Howe, to the National Press Club

A land of (more extreme) droughts and flooding rains?

22 May 2012Communicating clearly on climate change is a struggle writes Karl Braganza for the Conversation.

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Topic Guides

Climate change science 'top ten' sources to build your personal knowledge

  • Stefanie Pillora
  • Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government

07 November 2011Acknowledging the importance of drawing from credible sources, this guide provides advice on ten reliable and easily accessible sources of research written for non-specialist readers.

The clean energy plan

  • Clean Energy Future

11 July 2011Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan, and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet announced the Australian Government’s comprehensive plan for tackling climate change, ‘Securing a clean energy future’.

Guideline on the application of the premises standards - 2011

  • Australian Human Rights Commission

04 April 2011This guide has been issued to help designers, architects, builders and clients to better understand the Disability (Access to Premises - buildings) Standards 2010  which will commence on 1 May 2011.

Audio

Mobile phones and evolution

Listen to audio
03 May 2012Researchers believe that gender differences in the pattern of mobile phone calls reveal the underlying influence of evolution.

Life on 'Struggle Street'

Listen to audio
02 May 2012This discussion looks at the characteristics of Australians in households with both relatively low income and relatively low wealth.

Sustainability

Cost and security of electricity generated by high altitude winds

22 May 2012This paper describes a new form of automated, tethered, quad-rotor craft, which can operate gyroplane-style, while simultaneously generating electricity.

Video

Intelligence squared: animals should be off the menu

Listen to audio
26 April 2012 Intelligence Squared’s 2012 series of debates kicks off with a look at the ethics of eating meat.

The blessed unrest

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

Housing

Commonwealth Budget 2012

09 May 2012The Federal Budget of 2012-13 has managed a modest surplus of 1.5 billion dollars. For detailed breakdown of this year's budget this link includes all budget documents - including the budget speech, budgets papers, mid-year economic and fiscal outlook and ministerial statements.

Websites

All Aboard

23 May 2012The All Aboard campaign is raising concerns about the level of access provided by Victoria’s public transport system and calling on the government and transport authorities to start spending to fix our transport problems.

'Just staying at a mates', a series about couch surfing

15 May 2012Yfoundations, the NSW peak body on youth homelessness is running a blog series presenting different perspectives on the phenomenon known as couch surfing within youth homelessness.

Primezone

05 March 2012Primezone provides teachers with single-point access to a range of primary industries education resources. This website is an initiative of the Primary Industries Education Foundation.

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All Aboard

Books

Designing for zero waste

Designing for zero waste

  • Steffen Lehmann, Robert Crocker
  • Routledge
Designing for Zero Waste is a timely, topical and necessary publication. Materials and resources are being depleted at an accelerating speed and rising consumption trends across the globe have placed material efficiency, waste reduction and recycling at the centre of many government policy agendas, giving them an unprecedented urgency.
Cold light

Cold light

  • Frank Moorhouse
  • Random House Australia
Cold Light is about power, secrecy, the mortal struggle between capitalism and communism, – and urban planning. This compelling story is set in the still largely empty spaces of Canberra, a mere 23 years after its founding.

Noticeboard

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (the ACNC) starting in July 2012
07 March 2012

In May 2011 the Federal Government announced that the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) would commence operations from 1 July 2012 and that it would initially be responsible for determining the legal status of groups seeking charitable, public benevolent institution, and other not-for-profit (NFP) benefits on behalf of all Commonwealth agencies. 

Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards: new inquiry
07 February 2012
The Productivity Commission has been asked to report within 8 months on Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards. The inquiry covers the design of criteria for the selection and ongoing assessment of superannuation funds for nomination as default funds in modern awards.
Access and equity inquiry
20 December 2011

On 18 November 2011, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, announced the establishment of an independent panel of eminent community leaders to conduct an inquiry into Australian Government services to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Topic Guides

Climate change science 'top ten' sources to build your personal knowledge

  • Stefanie Pillora
  • Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government

07 November 2011Acknowledging the importance of drawing from credible sources, this guide provides advice on ten reliable and easily accessible sources of research written for non-specialist readers.

Topics

APO