The Parliamentary Library provides a series of Budget Review briefings to assist parliamentarians to consider key issues posed by the 2016–17 Budget, selected on the basis of significance, complexity or degree of controversy.

The recently released Productivity Commission report on the Australian intellectual property system is thorough and measured. Its recommendations are far from radical but if implemented would improve the environment for the creation and use of knowledge-based products in Australia.

The Commonwealth Budget is typically the most important annual policy statement by the Government. This guide identifies information and key concepts that are used in the Budget Papers and other resources that are available to analyse the Budget. Contents What occurs on Budget night? What occurs after Budget night? What is in the Budget Papers...

Overview Reducing the thresholds at which former students repay their debt to the Higher Education Loan Program would increase repayments by an initial $500 million a year and more over time. Without change, HELP costs will soar, putting teaching and research at risk of cuts. An estimated $1.6 billion lent to students in 2014-15 –...

Overview The vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia plays a central role in the development of skills for the Australian workforce and through that role makes a critical contribution to workforce participation, productivity levels, individual’s life chances and economic and social development. The level of public and private investment in VET is therefore...