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

New Research

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.

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.

Operating wind farms by Commonwealth Electoral Division

05 March 2010This paper lists all wind farms currently operating in Australia.

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.

Western Australian Government - 2008/09 website report

19 February 2010This report provides a source of information about Western Australian Government websites for use by policy and decision makers in the WA Public Sector.

Australia: towards a seamless national economy

16 February 2010Strong regulatory frameworks and sound policies have helped Australia weather the global crisis better than most OECD countries, according to this report, but further efforts are needed to harmonise regulations, strengthen competition and streamline infrastructure regulation.
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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

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.

The debt truck crunches its gears

10 March 2010The Coalition’s focus on debt could easily backfire, argues Peter Brent in Inside Story

Health could prove terminal for the states

08 March 2010With the commonwealth holding the purse strings, co-operative federalism is wearing thin, writes Mike Steketee in the Australian
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Audio

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.

Open government: ideals and realities of 2.0

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06 March 2010A conversation about 'open government' in light of the recent report of the Government 2.0 Taskforce.

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

Reforming the global order

Reforming the global order

05 March 2010Despite the many reasons to be pessimistic about the current world situation there are some distinguished optimists out there, with concrete plans for change for the better.

Websites

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.

OpenAustralia

13 November 2009A non-partisan website run by a group of volunteers which aims to make it easy for people to keep tabs on their representatives in Parliament.

Most viewed: This week

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Health could prove terminal for the states
2
Perspectives on migrants 2010
3
The debt truck crunches its gears
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Report on government services 2010
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Health reform: the opening shot

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

Australian Fabians young writers competition
24 November 2009

The Young Writers Competition is open to 18-28 year old Australians who have progressive and practical solutions to the big issues facing Australia today and can communicate that idea in a 700–1000 word opinion piece.

Government 2.0 Taskforce
24 June 2009

The Government 2.0 Taskforce is being formed against a backdrop of increased interest by governments worldwide in the potential uses of public sector information and online engagement.

Policy Guides

Privacy regulation across Australia

An annually updated guide to privacy legislation from Privacy Victoria.

28-09-09

Topics

APO