This paper reports on data trends in South Australia's child protection system, finding that outcomes are not improving despite expenditure of nearly $1 billion annually. Key findings reported include the continuing over-representations of Aboriginal children in care and one in 25 children experiencing abuse or neglect while in the system. The paper advocates shifting resources...

Rising cost-of-living pressures continue to strain household budgets across Australia and policymakers require timely and reliable measures of financial hardship. This paper introduces a new high-frequency indicator of financial stress derived from failed direct debit payments in bank transaction data. This indicator could offer policymakers an early warning indicator of financial stress and inform targeted...

As the Albanese Labor Government nears the end of its first term in office, this brief provides a broad assessment of its employment record and where applicable, compares it with historical government performance. The brief finds that the Government has overseen the most sustained period of low unemployment in recent Australian history.

From excessive water consumption to the challenges of waste management, this brief finds that nuclear power would place an enormous burden on the Australian environment, resources and economy. It suggests that nuclear power is a distraction from proven, renewable-powered solutions to the climate crisis.

A summary of the key activities and operational undertakings by the National Anti-Corruption Commission since it commenced on 1 July 2023. 37 corruption investigations, 12 of them joint with other agencies, have been initiated and 5 of these have been finalised. Other activities reported relate to Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity legacy investigations, and...