This paper was presented as a lecture in the Department of the Senate Occasional Lecture Series at Parliament House.

On 19 June 2002, the Senate referred the following matters to the Committee for inquiry and report: (a) Consideration of the adequacy, effectiveness and fairness of proposed legislative participation requirements for parents and mature-age unemployed Australians; and (b) The Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Australians Working Together and other 2001 Budget Measures) Bill 2002...

This report describes a very sorry chapter in Australia’s history. It is a story which has to be told and in so doing, exposes the role of both the British and Australian Governments in bringing child migrants to this country. The British and Australian Governments entered into agreements for the migration of children to Australia...

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services has conducted an inquiry into the role of infrastructure in assisting the economically sustainable development of Australia's regional areas. The foreword to the Committee's report states that the title 'Time running out' reinforces the urgent need to firstly acknowledge the deficiencies in infrastructure...

This report examined agricultural production in Australia, research and development, Australia's competitiveness in adding value to its agricultural production and Australia's exports of value-added products.