This re-issue replaces the publication released on 24 August 2006. This re-issue contains amended data for state and territory government expenditure on nature parks and reserves for the periods 2002-03 and 2003-04

The national fertility rate is at its highest level since 1995, according to this ABS report. Australia's total fertility rate increased in 2005 to 1.81 babies per woman, up from 1.77 in 2004. All states and territories recorded increases in total fertility rates between 2004 and 2005, with Tasmania reaching replacement level fertility (2.1 babies...

Paid maternity leave was used by one-third (34%) of employed mothers-to-be, according to the first detailed ABS survey on the employment circumstances of women who had a child under two years of age. Paid leave of some sort was taken by just under half (47%) of women working while pregnant. For employed mothers-to-be who returned...

Business and higher education were the biggest contributors in Australia's $15.8 billion outlay on research and experimental development (RandD) in 2004-05, according to this ABS report. This was an increase of 19% or $2.6 billion since 2002-03. More than half of this expenditure came from the business sector with higher education outlaying $4.3 billion (27%)...

Business and higher education were the biggest contributors in Australia's $15.8 billion outlay on research and experimental development (R&D) in 2004-05, according to this ABS report. This was an increase of 19% or $2.6 billion since 2002-03. More than half of this expenditure came from the business sector with higher education outlaying $4.3 billion (27%)...