The current debate in Australia about greenhouse gas emissions trading must be seen within the international context of the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This paper reviews greenhouse gas emissions trading, with particular emphasis on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and proposals for Australia.

This paper presents an overview of Federal and NSW government policy, specialist disability support, disability discrimination laws and general policies that aim to promote access to mainstream government services. It also examines the recently adopted United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which may impact on disability policy in Australia in the...

Crystal methamphetamine, also known as 'ice' and 'crystal meth', is a highly purified form of methamphetamine, a synthetic central nervous system stimulant. This paper provides an overview of crystal methamphetamine and its effects, supply and distribution, and the characteristics of crystal methamphetamine users. It describes the impact of crystal methamphetamine on health and law enforcement...

This paper sets out the respective responsibilities of the Commonwealth and state governments for health care, identifying those areas where cost-shifting and duplication exist. It discusses some of the major issues in the health debate, with a view to identifying the extent to which they are connected to the federal division of responsibilities. In this...

Earlier this year significant amendments were made to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, perhaps the most controversial of which related to the ministerial appointment of planning assessment panels to replace the role of local councils in determining development applications. This paper reviews the arguments for independent hearing and assessment panels and looks at...