This report argues that it’s time for the federal cabinet to take a coordinated and strategic look at its law enforcement responsibilities, starting with a review. Overview Strong international, technological, political and social forces are changing the criminal challenge to Australia. These forces mean that the Australian Government will to need to take a greater...

This audit assessed the effectiveness of the establishment, implementation and operation of the Early Years Quality Fund against the requirements of the Early Years Quality Fund Special Account Act 2013 and the Commonwealth grants administration framework. Audit objective, criteria and scope The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the establishment, implementation and operation...

This issues paper examines the arrangements and institutions underpinning Australia’s Federation, including the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and financial arrangements between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories. It asks questions to prompt discussion on possible options for reform. INTRODUCTION On 10 October 2014, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG): ... acknowledged the importance...

This paper looks at the potential gains and impacts involved from extending the GST to private schools and private health insurance. Overview The Coalition Government's proposed amendments to the GST have been attacked for disproportionately impacting low-income households. But the GST doesn't have to be so regressive. By extending the tax to include private health...

This investigation into the approval process for pharmaceuticals produced findings with broader lessons for Commonwealth agencies about the importance of proper program design, sharing information necessary to ensure proper outcomes and about service recovery arrangements when things go wrong.