This report comprehensively critiques Australia’s refugee and asylum policies and finds they are inhumane, ineffective and expensive. It argues that Australia needs a circuit-breaker in our treatment of people seeking asylum from war and persecution. On the 10th anniversary of the Tampa, Australia’s asylum and refugee policies are still sadly characterised by human tragedy, political...

In theory the media should diversify a nation’s democracy, serving as a channel through which many different groups can participate in national debate. Yet with the high levels of media concentration in Australia, are we hearing the voices of the many or simply the few? CPD Researcher & intern Rob Harding-Smith submitted this report as...

The efficiency dividend has been chipping away at public service budgets for 20 years. This paper examines the problems it causes and puts forward alternatives. While initially the dividend may have helped reduce excess spending, its effects are now eroding the ability of government agencies to provide core services. In the 2010 election campaign, Shadow...

The current 'future of journalism' debates focus on the crossover (or lack thereof) of mainstream journalism practices and citizen journalism, the 'democratisation' of journalism, and the 'crisis in innovation' around the 'death of newspapers'. This paper analyses a cohort of 20 investigative journalists to understand their skills sets, training and practices, notably where higher order...

The authors of this paper propose the establishment of local Regional Health Organisations (RHOs) across Australia, with each responsible for the health care needs of a defined population within their region. Australia's unique geography and federated system of governance has, over time, led to a health care system that is fragmented and duplicative, inequitable and...