This paper provides coverage of selected procedural changes during the first year of the operation of the House of Representatives in the 43rd Parliament, together with a range of statistics relating to the work of the House. The 2010 election, held on 21 August, was called early and under the unusual circumstance of a recent...

This briefing note outlines recent developments in this increasingly important part of Australia’s energy sector. The paper is primarily about the extent of this resource and its development (including some environmental matters related to this) but it does not cover the details or controversies relating to how and where it is developed.

Citizen participation in policymaking and service design has been debated or attempted, but too infrequently realised. The theory and practice of public administration is increasingly concerned with placing the citizen at the centre of policymakers’ considerations, not just as target, but also as agent. The aim is to develop policies and design services that respond...

This paper reports recent changes in Australia’s foreign investment policy as released by the Foreign Investment Review Board in January 2011. It also explores trends in global foreign direct investment as covered in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2010 World Investment Report (released on 22 July 2010). Lastly, this Background Note analyses...

This post provides background information about the history and purpose of Ministerial Councils which have just undergone reform at the lastest COAG meeting in February. The establishment of 23 new Ministerial Councils is welcomed by COAG, enabling it to 'focus on reforms of national critical importance' with greater responsiveness and agility.