The purpose of this chronology of key events is to provide a historical context in which to understand the continuing evolution of the Australian Public Service (APS). More specifically, the chronology is intended to: provide a quick reference guide to what happened, and when facilitate access to relevant documents, and complement more narrative and critical...

The periodic redrawing of electoral boundaries is required by law to maintain electoral divisions of roughly equal enrolment size within a state or territory. Redrawing of boundaries is known as a redistribution. During the expected life of the 43rd Parliament there will be redistributions in Victoria and South Australia because of the seven year provision...

Australia's Migration Program has steadily evolved since 1945 when the first federal immigration portfolio was created. The change in focus from increasing the population to meeting the labour needs of the economy is examined in this Background Note. As part of its planned Migration Program, the federal government allocates places each year for people wanting...

This background note is designed to answer some of those frequently asked questions about who was the first, youngest, oldest, most often, etc. in Australian federal politics. The focus is on records for the Federal Parliament although a few significant records relate to members of State parliaments. The information is current as at October 2010...

Multiculturalism has been a contested policy and concept since its introduction in Australia in the 1970s. While maintaining some core principles, in the three decades since its introduction, federal multicultural policy statements have evolved in response to changing government priorities and responses to the challenges facing Australian society. While Australian multicultural policy has its roots...