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

Adrienne Millbank, Janet Phillips and Catherine Bohm provide an overview of Australia's settlement services for migrants and humanitarian entrants, and a guide to internet resources, research and comment on current settlement issues in Australia. They also provide information about the development of settlement and ‘integration’ services overseas.

In response to the need for new aircraft to replace the ageing F/A-18 and F-111, the Australian government foreshadowed the purchase of about 100 new aircraft to be in service in 2012. Since then, the estimated cost of the purchase has increased from about $10.5 billion to between $12 billion and $15.5 billion. Alex Tewes...

Over the past 50 years, Australia has maintained a labour productivity level of around 80 per cent of that of the United States. To explain this gap, there is growing interest in the hindrances that might be imposed by Australia’s geographic isolation. Bryn Battersby provides an initial investigation of the link between distance and labour...

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs currently allocates around 130,000 to 140,000 migration places each year – the highest level in twenty years. In 2005–06, 97,500 places have been allocated for skilled migration, the largest number ever allocated. In this e-brief Janet Phillips provides an overview of Australia’s skilled migration program and a guide...