Current governance structures in remote Aboriginal communities are in urgent need of reform. In this paper, John Cleary argues that the Northern Territory Government’s plan for Regional Shires is a step in the right direction, but we must be very clear about what is not working and how the new Shires will work. He supports...

In this paper, Phil Rennie argues that the integrity of the New Zealand tax system has been corroded by the introduction of a 39% tax rate for income over $60,000. This has resulted in tax evasion and avoidance, with large numbers of people using loopholes to avoid the top rate of personal tax. Rennie argues...

In this paper Kirsten Storry examines literacy levels and education programs in remote Aboriginal communities. Literacy rates among children and adults in these communities are appallingly low and cannot be reversed without genuine and innovative education reform. It is time to trial innovative solutions, including better reporting on existing literacy programs, enhanced community sector coordination...

Helen Hughes and Gaurav Sodhi argue that a new $89 million funding package to Vanuatu provided by the US Millennium Challenge Corporation will do little to address the rampant corruption and economic mismanagement that plague the country. The new US funding incorporates none of the lessons learnt from past aid projects in Vanuatu, and risks...

In this paper Andrew Norton argues that a more realistic loan cap needs to be implemented so that the federal government’s FEE-HELP scheme can achieve its stated objectives of reducing unmet demand and assisting students to access their preferred course. FEE-HELP has the potential to reform higher education radically, as it extends loans to all...