This report examined the prevalence and impact of financial hardship on Australian university students. It evaluated the effectiveness of existing financial support services and identified barriers that prevent students from accessing essential assistance. It recommends that government funded payment schemes be enhanced, and that universities should expand and enhance their emergency and non-monetary support services.

Australia’s integrity agencies can only hold power to account when they are independent in practice, not just in law. This paper argues that integrity agency independence depends on three institutional levers: secure funding, merit-based appointments and robust oversight. It outlines reforms to strengthen these levers and better secure the independence of Australia’s core integrity agencies.

This report provides insights into conducting research around intellectual disability with First Nations people in ways that are culturally safe and appropriate. It highlights the difference between First Nations and white and Western approaches to intellectual disability, and the need to have First Nations people and communities involved as researchers and stakeholders at every point.

This overview outlines the key initiatives for the Australian Government Budget, and presents the international and domestic economic outlook. The Budget aims to get Australia through the global oil shock and take pressure off Australians, while continuing to build a stronger economy, better tax system, fairer housing market and a more sustainable budget.

The Native Title Legislation Amendment Act 2021 introduced legislative changes with the intention of improving native title claims resolution, agreement-making, Indigenous decision-making and dispute resolution processes. This evaluation found continued support for measures aimed at providing flexibility, efficiency and certainty, as well as post-determination dispute resolution, and they were seen to be operating as intended.