In this research paper Richard Webb examines the rationale for Commonwealth government involvement in infrastructure provision, how it influences the provision of infrastructure, and trends in that influence. In particular, it seeks to delineate the role that the Commonwealth plays as distinct from that of state governments.

Taiwan's first referendum: democratic milestone or diplomatic millstone?

Updating an earlier research note, Marilyn Harrington briefly explains the system of Commonwealth funding for schools and describes some of the trends in Commonwealth funding for schools since 1996.

One of the strategies the Australian government has put in place since 2001 for dealing with the arrival of unauthorised people by boat is the excision of islands around northern Australia from the migration zone. The government claims this deters people from making the trip and frustrates the activities of people smugglers, thus protecting and...

Richard Webb reviews developments in Commonwealth road funding in the 1990s and examines associated majorissues. The paper also contains the most recent data.