Drought in Australia is a natural occurrence, and there are a wide range of perceptions in the community about the nature and significance of drought. However, severe drought can have a debilitating effect on rural and regional communities and represent a major cost to the wider community. This paper discusses: the causes of drought; policy...

This paper explains what cloning and stem cell research are, canvasses the ethical issues associated with such work, and outlines the regulatory framework in which it operates. The issues of human cloning and stem cell research introduce terms which are not necessarily in every day use. It is important to understand that the human body...

This paper examines the occurrence and practice of graffiti in NSW and the ways in which it has been dealt with in recent years. It is the harm caused by graffiti to the community, in terms of property damage and fear of crime, that is the main focus for state and local government and community...

This paper reviews the history of fire and bushfire in Australia, including the debate on bushfire hazard reduction burning. It outlines the provisions of the Rural Fire Service Act 1997, and provides a comprehensive summary of the fires which occurred in NSW during the 2001-2002 fire season. It is self evident that bushfires occur during...

The issue of outworker exploitation is one which has periodically come under public focus and scrutiny. This is due to, in part, the concerted effort made by organisations such as Fair Wear and others (most notably the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia) to highlight outworker pay and conditions. Over the years, protests organised...