This Research Note examines the impact of the GST and the First Home Owners' Scheme on the housing industry by analysing trends in new dwelling approvals, housing finance commitments for dwellings and actual work done in the building industry in the 12 months to June 2001. The Note also examines the eligibility criteria for the...

This book of case studies pays tribute to rural and regional women taking action in their communities and across the wider society.

Since 1945, the zone rebate, and its predecessor the zone allowance, have provided a tax concession to taxpayers living in remote areas of Australia. There is special interest in the rebate at this time as part of a broader review of policies for rural Australia. This Note traces the history of the zone rebate, including...

This Research Note reviews trends in how women have voted in recent federal elections, compared to men. In particular it looks how women in rural and regional Australia have expressed their voting preference since 1993. Evidence suggests that while the Coalition continues to fare better than the ALP amongst women, women's support for the National...

This Note provides an estimate of the present average value of home loan mortgages and indicates the strong growth in new mortgage values over the second half of the 1990s to the year 2000. It also examines the variation between States in mortgage values and the link between interest rate changes and home loan repayments.