Edited by the Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology

New Research

Mass localism: A way to help small communities solve big social challenges

17 March 2010  Localism presents a dilemma. Government has traditionally found it difficult to support genuine local solutions while achieving national impact and scale. This UK report offers a solution
Obama in his own words: On leadership, force, and rebuilding US primacy

Obama in his own words: On leadership, force, and rebuilding US primacy

15 March 2010For over sixty years Australia has done well out of a US-led world, according to this report. Our strategic interests would be well served by Obama’s successfully rebuilding US primacy.

Beyond corporate responsibility: the 'spiritual turn' and the rise of conscious business

15 March 2010This paper asks whether the Corporate Responsibility movement can transform business practices enough to assist society address key human and environmental sustainability challenges.

Minority governments in Australia 1989-2009: accords, charters and agreements

08 March 2010Over the past two decades there have been at least ten examples of this political phenomenon in the Australian states and territories. This paper looks at those instances in which a minority government has been based on an agreement, charter or accord between major parties on one side and minor parties and/or Independents on the other.

Towards a more democratic political funding regime in New South Wales

08 March 2010This report includes a blueprint for reform, covering: a more robust disclosure scheme; election spending limits; contribution limits (with an exemption for membership fees); stricter regulation of fund-raisers; a Party and Candidate Support Fund; and enhanced accountability of government advertising.

Do output contractions trigger democratic change?

05 March 2010Using data for 154 countries for the period 1963-2007, this paper examines the short-run relationship between economic growth and moves toward and away from greater democracy.
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Citizenship

Perspectives on migrants 2010

Perspectives on migrants 2010

05 March 2010Issues and debates relating to migrants, ethnicity and migration programs are common place within the Australian political and media landscape.

Inquiry into the implications of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Automatic Enrolment) Act 2009 (NSW) for the conduct of Commonwealth elections

01 March 2010This report recommends that the Commonwealth adopts a system of automatic enrolment of voters similar to the proposed New South Wales system.

A stronger, fairer Australia

19 February 2010Launched on 28 January 2010, A Stronger, Fairer Australia sets out the Australian Government’s vision and strategy for social inclusion, now and into the future.

Public policy

National compact between the Australian Government and the third sector - consultation report

24 February 2010This report summarises the feedback from consultation with stakeholders including a broad range of Sector organisations, state and territory governments, peak bodies, academics and individuals.

Commentary

Danger in new trade agreement with the US

17 March 2010Why would any Australian government want another trade deal with the US, ask Ruth Townsend and Thomas Faunce in On Line Opinion

Where's the payoff? Convincing citizens to engage with government

12 March 2010Governments regularly hold consultations with their public. Craig Thomler wants value given for value received.

Supporting culture when everyone's on YouTube

12 March 2010  What role can government play in assisting Australian creative talent to catch some of dynamism of emerging markets for culture asks Stuart Cunningham in The Punch.
More...

Audio

Liberalism and Australian foreign policy

Listen to audio
15 March 2010From the Vietnam War to the Afghanistan War, from international law to the treatment of refugees, Mr Fraser discusses the meaning of liberalism in the global context.

Open government: the Information Commissioner

Listen to audio
12 March 2010Following on from the conversation last week on 'open government' this program hosts the head of the newly created Office of the Information Commissioner.

Government

Video

Kevin Rudd's world: The PM's global hopes and fears

Listen to audio
19 February 2010After two years and a whirlwind of activity in Australia's foreign affairs, what has Kevin Rudd got to show for all his global ambition?

Governing the economy: Fiscal policy

Listen to audio
14 December 2009At this symposium, Treasury Secretary Ken Henry discusses the role and direction of fiscal policy in a changing economic landscape.

Democracy

Websites

Human Rights Act myth busters

02 March 2010Monash University's Castan Centre 'myth-busters' address claims made during the spirited debate following the 2009 National Human Rights Consultation Committee report recommending the adoption of an Australian Human Rights Act.

TweetMP

24 February 2010Find your MP, invite them to Twitter is the byline to this new site aiming to bring Australian politicians to the microblogging website

Data.gov.uk

08 February 2010 UK government website containing open government data for other people to re-use.

Most viewed: This week

1
Where's the payoff? Convincing citizens to engage with government
2
Mass localism: A way to help small communities solve big social challenges
3
Danger in new trade agreement with the US
4
Beyond corporate responsibility: the 'spiritual turn' and the rise of conscious business
5
Supporting culture when everyone's on YouTube

Jobs

Policy Adviser
NSW Business Chamber
North Sydney

Events

Delivering Policy Masterclass: Led by Prof Scott Prasser
18 Mar 2010 - 9:00am - 30 Mar 2010 - 5:30pm
Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne
Seminar
Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change - Australian book launch, talk, Q&A
24 Mar 2010
Sydney
Conference
ACOSS National Conference 2010: A vote for equity
25 Mar 2010 - 9:00am - 26 Mar 2010 - 5:00pm
Canberra

Books

Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

  • Edited by Scott Poynting and George Morgan
  • ACYS Publishing
In this detailed examination of case studies, a distinguished group of experts demystifies the social processes of moral panic in Australia.
Malcolm Fraser: the political memoirs

Malcolm Fraser: the political memoirs

  • Malcolm Fraser and Margaret Simons
Malcolm Fraser is one of the most interesting and possibly most misunderstood of Australia's Prime Ministers. In this part memoir and part authorised biography, Fraser at the age of 79 years talks about his time in public life. From the Vietnam War to the Dismissal and his years as Prime Minister, through to his concern in recent times for breaches in the Rule of Law and harsh treatment of refugees, Fraser emerges as an enduring liberal, constantly reinterpreting core values to meet the needs of changing times.

Noticeboard

Rethinking the Rules Governing Australia
16 March 2010

Australian citizens are being asked to provide input into a nation-wide
discussion about how to improve the rules governing our country.

Rethink Australia spokesperson Rodger Hills, says the time has come to
review the way Australia is run. “As citizens, we have a responsibility to
plan for a brighter future and a more enlightened democratic process than
the one we have inherited from our fore bearers.”

Rethink Australia has released a public discussion paper today to provide
the basis for dialogue and deliberation amongst members of the public over

National Prison Book Program - sending books to Australian prisoners
14 January 2010

The National Prison Book Program provides prisoners with free reading materials. Our aim is to provide books to prisoners and enhance prison library and educational services.

ACCAN call for Expressions of Interest: Independent Grants Panel
13 January 2010

ACCAN is establishing an Independent Grants Panel (‘the Panel’) to make recommendations about the allocation of Grants. We are calling for Expressions of Interest to join the Panel which has three (3) positions available.

Policy Guides

Privacy regulation across Australia

An annually updated guide to privacy legislation from Privacy Victoria.

28-09-09

Topics

APO