On 20 August 2009 the Senate instructed the Standing Committee on Environment and Communications to inquire and report on the ability of the Commonwealth, across state borders, to sustainably manage water resources in the national interest, with particular reference to: a) the issuing, and sustainability of water licences under any government draft resource plans and...

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...

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...

It is undeniable that minerals and energy resource development is a key contributor to the Australian economy, and in particular to the state of Western Australia. The recent ‘mining boom’ has been much discussed in the last seven years or so and has brought considerable revenue to state and federal governments. As well as being...

Illicit drug seizures have increased over the last decade and are almost 70 per cent higher than in 1999–2000 according to this statistical overview of recent illicit drug arrests and seizures. The report also profiles the current situation, national impact and the emerging trends and threats of illicit drugs in Australia. The Illicit Drug Data...