In December 2008, the federal government received the Review of Australian Higher Education: Final Report, prepared by a policy review committee chaired by former Vice-Chancellor Denise Bradley. The education minister, Julia Gillard, has indicated that she will give her response to it in early March 2009. One of the Bradley report’s key recommendations is to...

This paper examines the policy challenges associated with the ageing of the Australian population through the prism of the global financial crisis. The paper observes that much of the commentary prompted by the financial crisis has featured a reaction against credit-driven consumption--the so-called ‘debt binge’ that has plunged household savings into the red in recent...

The question how Australia should be governed has often revolved around the role of federalism. Yet the same arguments made in favour of federalism (greater choice and diversity, and government that is closer to the people) could also be applied to local government. But whether recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution would actually...

The Rudd government's proposed censorship regime will slow internet access and hand criminals a directory of illegal content according to this paper.Much has been written about the Rudd government?s proposed ?clean feed? internet censorship regime. But it isn?t until you delve into the policy?s unintended consequences that some of its biggest problems come into view...

In Australia, many common non-prescription medicines used to treat minor ailments can be bought only from pharmacies. Some argue that pharmacy restrictions on non-prescription medicines are justified because professional advice is necessary to protect people who are caring for themselves against the risk of using their medicines incorrectly. If consumers were to purchase medicines currently...