This paper shows that the proposed reforms would consolidate the existing family tax system, which clearly fails in terms of both fairness and disincentives. In the early 1980’s Australia had a highly progressive individual income tax and universal family payments. The paper proposes a return to a strongly progressive individual based income tax and universal...

Forms of service integrated housing- such as retirement villages - have been developed by the community and private sectors to provide housing, support and care for older people in Australia. Is there a need for a more hands-on role for government in directing, shaping and expanding service integrated housing?

The relationship between ministers and public servants has been a longstanding topic among students of Australian public administration. Recent debate has centred on issues of supposed politicisation and excessive responsiveness in the APS, caused, in part, by the weakened tenure of department heads (secretaries). The recent Moran report endorses changes to the appointment processes for...

This background note traces the genesis and development of the Rudd / Gillard Government's Fair Work policy and legislation. Updated: 24 September 2009, updated 22 January 2010, 10 June 2010, 7 July 2010, 21 July 2010

This background paper arose from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) 2009 Final Report and its recommendations about future directions for primary health care. The recommendations for primary health care included 'community mental health', which led to concern that the scope and complexity of community mental health care had been overlooked or misunderstood.