This issues paper is one in a series of issues papers being developed to inform the Commonwealth Government’s White Paper on the Reform of the Federation. The White Paper is seeking to clarify roles and responsibilities between levels of government, to ensure that, as far as possible, each level of government is sovereign in its...

There is currently no single overarching ‘health system’ in Australia. Rather, health care is a complex web of services, providers and structures. All levels of government—the Commonwealth, the States and Territories, and local government—share responsibility for health. They have different roles (funders, policy developers, regulators and service deliverers) and in many cases those roles are...

This paper outlines key issues to consider for reforming Australia's Federation. Objectives The Commonwealth Government has committed to produce, working with the States and Territories, a White Paper on the Reform of the Federation. The White Paper will seek to clarify roles and responsibilities to ensure that, as far as possible, the States and Territories...

This paper provides an overview of the national policy framework for the provision of universal access to early childhood education in Australia. Introduction The imperative to provide universal access to early childhood education (ECE) is supported by a significant body of research that demonstrates the benefits of ECE for later life outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged...

Australia's federal system of government has served it well, but improvements are in order. On 17 June 2010 the Senate established a Select Committee on the Reform of the Australian Federation. On 29 September 2010, the committee was re-established by the Senate, to: (a) inquire into and report by the last sitting day of May...