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

New Research

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.

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 statistical analysis of government responses to committee reports: reports tabled between the 2001 and 2004 elections

A statistical analysis of government responses to committee reports: reports tabled between the 2001 and 2004 elections

25 January 2010This paper measures government acceptance of parliamentary committee recommendations: one of the ways in which a committee can demonstrate its effectiveness.
More...

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.

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

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.

National partnership agreement to deliver a seamless national economy: report on performance 2008-09

24 February 2010The report presents the council‘s assessment of progress against 2008–09 milestones as at 30 September 2009.

Commentary

Risky referendums

09 March 2010Referendums promised by Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott are fraught with political risk, writes Norman Abjorensen in Inside Story

Missing voters

22 January 2010With four elections in twelve months it’s likely that allegations about electoral fraud will surge in 2010. In Inside Story Brian Costar looks at two court cases that exposed a striking lack of evidence behind the claims

The year’s elections: a form guide

21 January 2010Four elections, two changes of government. Peter Brent sticks his neck out in this guide to the 2010 electoral landscape for Inside Story
More...

Audio

Wild Rivers Act debate

Listen to audio
14 January 2010 Two sides of the debate over the Queensland Government's Wild Rivers Act were aired on Radio National's Breakfast program on 13 and 14 January 2009.

Political parties through the crystal ball

Listen to audio
07 December 2009Future Tense looks into the crystal ball to see how our party system is likely to change over the next decade or so - a series of perspectives on the future of our political system.

Government

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

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.

Video

Japan election impact

Listen to audio
31 August 2009Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Malcolm Cook, East Asia Program Director at the Lowy Institute, about the economic impacts of the change in government in Japan.

Ellis, Hartcher, Warhaft and Jones on the rise and fall of government

Listen to audio
16 June 2009In this special ABC Fora-presented session of the Sydney Writers Festival, Tony Jones hosts a panel discussing Australia's most recent change of government, when the previously unassailable John Howard was electorally humiliated by a nerdy little MP from Queensland.

Democracy

Websites

Political Science Resources

30 October 2009A gateway to most significant resources relevant to the study of politics and government managed and edited by Richard Kimber.

Austral Peace and Security Network

21 September 2009Austral Peace and Security Network (APSNet) Bulletin covers critical national and regional security issues, broadly understood, in Australia and the surrounding region.

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
Beyond corporate responsibility: the 'spiritual turn' and the rise of conscious business
4
Danger in new trade agreement with the US
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

Policy Guides

Privacy regulation across Australia

An annually updated guide to privacy legislation from Privacy Victoria.

28-09-09

Topics

APO