This Policy brief explores what makes community-based services for children and families effective. It identifies interpersonal and structural features that characterise effective services, and shows that how services are delivered is as important as what is delivered. Why is this issue important? Concern about the effectiveness of services for young children and families is based...

Over the past thirty years, private investment in the provision of social and affordable housing has increased significantly in the United Kingdom. The reverse is true in Australia, according to this AHURI Research & Policy Bulletin.

Earlier this year significant amendments were made to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, perhaps the most controversial of which related to the ministerial appointment of planning assessment panels to replace the role of local councils in determining development applications. This paper reviews the arguments for independent hearing and assessment panels and looks at...

The new forum aims to heighten dialogue between consumer representatives, industry bodies and regulators about communications issues affecting consumers. Seven consumer representatives will join three representatives from industry bodies involved in self-regulation.

Good mental health is essential for children's learning, social development, self-esteem and resilience to stress throughout the life-course. Over half a million Australian children have significant mental health problems. This Policy Brief outlines ways that services can better support families to prevent mental health problems from developing in the first place. In this brief we...