Petrol sniffing causes devastation in Indigenous communities. The health impacts include chronic disability and the social impacts include violence, crime and the breakdown of community structures. This report argues that measures to deal with the problem are now well known; the priority is to harness Commonwealth, state and territory governments and Indigenous community members to...

Where has Australians’ money been spent and how are aid agencies continuing to deliver assistance to tsunami-affected communities? This report draws on a public roundtable the committee held with a range of NGO representatives and government officials in May 2006. The aim was to assess progress to date, learn about current operational priorities, and identify...

This report makes recommendations about improving linkages and collaborations between the public and private sectors, fostering a more entrepreneurial culture in Australia, and better publicising the range of innovation assistance available. Other recommendations relate to addressing gaps in the assistance available and removing blocks to innovation.

The Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002 requires the attorney-general to cause a public and independent review of the operation of Security Acts relating to terrorism. The Security Legislation Review Committee’s report recommends a number of important changes to the government’s terrorism-related legislation and measures to ameliorate its impact in the Muslim community.

Markets are already making a significant contribution to allocating rural water to higher value uses. But institutional arrangements for water need more reform, according to the commission. This discussion paper examines the feasibility of establishing market mechanisms to encourage economic efficiency of rural water-use, including managing environmental externalities