A feature of Australia’s federal system is that power over spending and policy-making is becoming increasingly concentrated in the Commonwealth. One major way this power is exercised through specific purpose payments by the Commonwealth to the states in areas such as health and education.Specific purpose payments (SPPs) are grants the Commonwealth makes to the states...

The 42nd Parliament faces a significant work agenda across a diverse range of public policy issues following Labor?s decisive win at the 2007 election. A change of government inevitably means a change of direction and a significant program of policy development and legislative work. In addition, as with every Parliament, some work will flow from...

The 42nd Parliament faces a significant work agenda across a diverse range of public policy issues following Labor’s decisive win at the 2007 election. A change of government inevitably means a change of direction and a significant program of policy development and legislative work. In addition, as with every Parliament, some work will flow from...

This investigation was prompted by 124 complaints received by the Ombudsman’s office about Centrelink’s administration of the activity test requirements following the implementation of Welfare to Work reforms on 1 July 2006. The report was critical of the practice of stopping a person’s welfare payment before a decision was made about whether or not a...

This report deals with the Department of Immigration’s (DIAC) obligation to provide an unsuccessful visa applicant with a letter that clearly explains the decision and information about DIAC’s notification of adverse decisions was not well coordinated or consistent. There was variation in the quality of notification letters, many of which fell short of best practice...