As part of the scoping study for a national not-for-profit regulator, this paper seeks comment from stakeholders on the goals of national regulation, the scope of national regulation and the functions and form of a national regulator. This paper seeks initial views in relation to design options for a national (not-for-profit) NFP regulator. It does...

This collection of essays examines Commonwealth administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd from 2007-2010. This was a remarkable period in Australian history: Rudd’s government was elected in 2007 with an ambitious program for change. However, as the chapters in this book demonstrate, these ambitions were thwarted by a range of factors, not...

The efficiency dividend has been chipping away at public service budgets for 20 years. This paper examines the problems it causes and puts forward alternatives. While initially the dividend may have helped reduce excess spending, its effects are now eroding the ability of government agencies to provide core services. In the 2010 election campaign, Shadow...

The National Mental Health Strategy was endorsed by all Australian Health Ministers in 1992 and committed all governments to a reform process aimed at achieving major improvements in the quality and range of mental health services available to the community. Through various changes in government at the federal, state and territory levels, the National Mental...

The Commonwealth Ombudsman's office remains a key part of the accountability framework for the Australian Government, and this report covers the diverse range of complaints fielded by the office. Nearly 38,000 approaches and complaints were received by the office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman for assistance during 2009-10, an 18% decrease from the previous year. The...