This report finds that the present design of Victoria’s upper house, the Legislative Council, reinforces urban domination of Victorian politics while also failing to act as an effective mechanism for scrutiny of government. It provides three recommendations to address the present accountability, democratic and regional representation deficits.

This audit assessed whether disaster assistance grants for primary producers affected by 2022 flood events in New South Wales were implemented in line with the program guidelines. The report recommends enhanced risk management by lead agencies to better mitigate the risk of fraud.

Place-based policies have seen renewed interest against a backdrop of persistent spatial disparities in economic, social and environmental outcomes. This report synthesises the latest knowledge and evidence on place-based policies to provide policymakers across all levels of government with insights on the design and implementation of better (place-based) policies for better lives.

Rural economies can be powerful engines of national growth. This report offers governments practical guidance for navigating long-term transitions while addressing immediate vulnerabilities in rural development policy. It advocates a place-based, people-centred approach to policy to unlock the full potential of rural regions.

This report focuses on corporate influence in competition policy, highlighting the benefits of legitimate corporate engagement, the risks when influence becomes undue and the challenges in distinguishing between the two. It outlines responses available to policymakers to help them minimise the risk of undue influence including transparency frameworks, prohibition policies and institutional integrity responses.