This report evaluates a number of potential vehicle fuel efficiency measures, following consideration of public comment on a discussion paper released in September 2008. The report was prepared in response to the Council of Australian Governments' request for a package of vehicle fuel efficiency measures designed to move Australia toward international best practice. Following consideration...

Developed by the Board to generate discussion and debate on the question of how to measure disadvantage and social exclusion, these indicators are first steps towards comprehensive performance measurement and evaluation of social inclusion in Australia. This report includes indicators developed in the European Union and supplementary Australian measures, to draw a picture of how...

The Federal Government's health review has called for a major shake-up of the national health system, with the Commonwealth taking over the funding of most services. This report identifies actions that can be taken by governments to reform the health system under three reform goals: 1. Tackling major access and equity issues that affect health...

The rate of imprisonment of Indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand continues to be unacceptably high. Indigenous people are more likely to return to prison than are non-Indigenous people. How can young Indigenous adults be assisted to make a successful transition from prison to the community? What public services and community supports have been...

This background note will be updated to include any new developments on the formal negotiations are taking place within the meetings and working groups that have been established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol framework. The Rudd Government has emphasised that a major part of Australia’s efforts to control...