Underpaid and undervalued: a woman’s work is never done The growing pay gap between the sexes is now higher than it was at the height of the women’s liberation movement and three out of four Australians say they want it fixed. After improving between 1972 and 1977, the gender pay gap has worsened in the 21st century. Women were earning … more
Monthly Archives:: August 2010
CPD thinkers contribute to a blueprint for renewing Australian democracy
The election result demonstrates Australians do not like the way their political system is working and provides an opportunity to put forward a blueprint to change it. CPD thinkers – Miriam Lyons, Ian McAuley and Marian Sawer – have contributed their ideas to a GetUp! report, A Blueprint for Australian Democracy: This Moment and the Renewal of Parliament, Government and … more
Fiona Armstrong asks where’s the vision that will take us to a brave new world?
Fiona Armstrong asks where’s the vision thing that will take us to a brave new world? Short termism will not do when relying on our fossil fuels for energy and future wealth is no longer a sensible option. Fiona contends that in the face of environmental & resource challenges, we need our leaders to ask bigger questions about the kind … more
Election promises on boats will not pass parliament
In the lead up to the election, we saw both major parties making policy pledges to stop asylum boats. Kate Guathier looks at the numbers in a hung parliament and considers whether either major party can live up to their election promises. more
James Arvanitakis: Why the Independents should dig the mining tax
Writing in The Punch, CPD Fellow James Arvanitakis argues the Independents should make sure the resource super profits tax is pursued by our next government. First published 27 August 2010. I was at a pub a couple of weeks ago and a friend asked my prediction about the election. Not much into making predictions I speculated that Abbott would do better … more
Why A Sustainable Australia Needs Multiculturalism
The debate about a sustainable population for Australia only makes sense if it involves all Australians – as citizens, as producers, and as consumers. So the debate has to make sure everyone feels they have a stake and their input is respected; not only the middle aged, middle class, male and generally, writes Andrew Jakubowicz more
An open letter to Julia & Tony, from Ian McAuley
Writing in The ABC’s The Drum Unleashed, Ian McAuley does some of the hard work for the 3 independents. First published 26 August 2010. Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter have a huge task ahead of them over the next few days – a burden made heavier by the poor level of secretarial support successive governments have provided. So … more
Dear Julia & Tony: some ideas on governance
Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor have a huge task ahead of them over the next few days – a burden made heavier by the poor level of secretarial support successive government have provided. So we thought we could lighten their load by drafting a template letter to send to the two contenders: Dear Julia/Tony Thank you for your … more
What next for the two party system?
The assumptions which underpin the two party system do not reflect contemporary political reality. What particular challenges does this create for policy makers, asks Ian Marsh. This is the second and final in a series of articles on the topic. To read the first article click here. The first challenge posed by the disconnect between the two party system and … more