Fragile states are those characterised by problems of weak governance or of conflict, internal or cross-border. They are also described, less crisply but more carefully, as countries in fragile and conflict-affected situations – hence the acronym used in this paper, FCA countries. For about a decade the demands of providing international assistance to FCA countries...

The use of economic analysis in environmental and resource policy issues A number of current policy debates in Australia revolve around natural resource and environmental management issues. In many cases these issues have come to public attention through the efforts of special interest groups. Once such issues are accepted in the political process as requiring...

This paper aims to identify local recreational use values for recreation in and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park using the travel cost methodology, focusing on beach, island, and fishing, boating and sailing trips. Of the 1051 responses to the survey, drawn randomly from households between Bundaberg and Cairns, 87% indicated they had...

This policy brief details recent economic developments in four of Asia's largest economies - Japan, India, China and Indonesia - and assesses the implications of these changes for Australia. Jenny Corbett looks at how economic frustrations led to political change in Japan and argues that, despite this year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, there is opportunity...

The aim of this work is to understand what incentives exist to encourage integration in land and water management across northern Australia. Integration is seen as important in improving planning and management of resources in the context of climate change and development pressure. The north Australian region is made up of three jurisdictions, the two...