New Research

The development of Australia's federal critical infrastructure policy, 1978 – 2010

30 January 2012Australia’s strategy for managing national security is set out in a number of complex and interrelated policy documents that span multiple agencies. This paper summarises key parts of the federal critical infrastructure protection policy trajectory in the period 1978 – 2010.

Biosecurity and quarantine arrangements: Management of the removal of the fee rebate for AQIS export certification functions

  • Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

12 December 2011This interim report examines the adequacy of current biosecurity and quarantine arrangements, including resourcing, and progress towards reform of Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service export fees and charges.

Own motion investigation into ICT-enabled projects

24 November 2011Investigating the mis-management of ten major ICT-enabled projects in Victoria, this report makes 58 recommendations and urges that a more disciplined approach is taken by government and the public sector. 

Free-trade ferries: a case for competition

Free-trade ferries: a case for competition

31 October 2011Sydney needs a network of ferries that is able to cater to the city’s changing demographics but is also financially sustainable and responsible.

Further disadvantage: the effect of stigma in discouraging use of concession cards

28 October 2011While concession cards constitute an important means of accessing support, their efficacy is dependent upon cardholders feeling empowered to use their cards.

Regional plan for Sydney 2011

Regional plan for Sydney 2011

28 October 2011RDA Sydney's Regional Plan is an informative tool providing important perspectives on the economic, environmental and social status of Sydney's Regions.

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Climate change

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.

Carbon policy assistance reviews: the Commission's tasks

24 January 2012This consultation paper sets out the nature of each of the tasks assigned to the Commission for the Government's Clean Energy Future Package.

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.

Urban planning

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.

Exploring the use of residual measures of housing affordability in Australia: methodologies and concepts

30 January 2012This essay argues that new approaches to measuring housing affordability are needed and are possible in Australia.

Commentary

Saving Qantas is a matter of trust

10 November 2011Greg Bamber, writing in the National Times, asks what will be the outcomes of the present industrial relations processes at Qantas?

Tax reform: a world of opportunity

29 September 2011The Henry Report spelt out a series of tax reforms that would increase environmental and social sustainability, writes Josh Dowse in Inside Story. It’s great ammunition for a debate that needs a fresh start

Come fly with me

07 July 2011In Inside Story, frequent flyer Robyn Williams takes a look at how aviation is dealing with its carbon footprint

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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

Who counts? A history of the census

Listen to audio
04 August 2011Next week Australia holds its census, and so Rear Vision traces the recent history of this ancient institution, to make sense of who counts, and who does the counting.

Post offices and online shopping

Listen to audio
04 August 2011Not so long ago many were speculating on the future of the post office, with the decline in its old core business, letters. But right now the post office has a new core business delivering the goods that everyone is buying online.

Sustainability

Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance: 2010-11 Financial Year

30 January 2012This report is prepared to provide information on the value of Victorian and Australian food and fibre exports.

How do we regenerate middle suburban ‘greyfield’ areas?

30 January 2012This bulletin reveals areas of the country which require major regeneration of residential, energy, water and communications infastructure, better known as 'grey fields'.

Video

Social entrepreneurship - the revolution matures

Listen to audio
09 December 2011The discourse around social entrepreneurship continues at a pace: more international conferences, research interest, journals and university courses are some of the identifiers.

Examining the gap between science and policy

Listen to audio
05 October 2009This presentation to the Western Australian Government Department of Food and Agriculture explores the way science informs policy for adapting to climate change.

Housing

Caring for country: Australian natural and cultural resource management

30 January 2012This issue presents work and ideas from a diverse range of Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners, researchers and collaborators who work in central and northern Australia in a range of environments, from local to regional scales.

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.

Built environment climate change adaptation wiki

31 January 2011The BECCA Wiki is an online encyclopaedia of topics which focus on climate change impacts and adaptation options for the built environment.

Atlas of productive ageing

20 September 2010The Atlas provides statistics on the population, health, finance, housing and activity of older Australians. The data are available by state and regional areas.

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Coal seam gas royalties in Australian States and Territories

Books

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.
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

Lifestyles, consumption and environmental impact: National Household Consumption Survey
23 June 2009

The National Household Consumption Survey is open to all Australian residents until 30 June 2009.

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