Transparency is the cornerstone of democratic governance, yet Australia’s federal executive continues to undermine it through increasing non-compliance with Senate orders for documents. Compliance has fallen to new historic lows. This paper finds that the mechanism for accessing government information has failed, and substantial reform is required. It recommends the establishment of an Independent Legal...

This report outlines sex differences in mathematics outcomes in primary and secondary school education. It looks into spatial competency, non-cognitive contributors and in-class attentive behaviour on these sex differences. The implications and interventions are examined, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) policies for the future.

This paper examines the central shortcomings of the Australian regime for regulating lobbying and proposes comprehensive reform to address them. It calls on the federal government to work towards re-building trust with the public by prioritising transparency, integrity and equality in lobbying. The paper proposes comprehensive legislative reform is urgently recommended. It provides 15 recommendations.

A practical guide to contemporary good practice in public policy development in Australia comprising two parts: policymaking checklist and policymaking guidance. This guide is a practical tool – to be used rather than studied – and is particularly aimed at supporting practitioners who are newish to the policymaking process.

This report argues major reform to the Commonwealth Parliament and Government is needed to enable brave policymaking. Out of 34 potential reform ideas, the report identifies seven key reform areas that will improve government in Australia, including limiting political donations, fixing parliamentary terms and more rigorous processes for appointing and terminating Secretaries of Commonwealth Departments.