Longer term national interests in foreign, defence and security policy demand a more informed public debate

With the Government returned to power and the Opposition under new leadership it is time for a more informed and constructive debate about the future directions of our foreign, defence and security policies – something sadly lacking in the hype of last year’s Federal election campaign. The platforms and speeches of both major parties did not lack for words but, with a few conspicuous exceptions, both were confined to a defensive mode on these vital … more

Dental as anything

When the current federal government withdrew its contribution (up to $100 million per annum) to the Commonwealth Dental Health Program in 1997, a ministerial advisor said to one of us (SL), ‘We were surprised how easy it was! We expected an outcry!’ Of course, the Minister for Health operates in a political environment where he is faced with demands from cabinet to cut his budget. Either dental health or something else would have to go … more

Qantas sale: flying blind into turbulent times

Leaving aside water and David Hicks, the two issues dominating the media over the last month have been climate change and the bid for Qantas by private equity group Airline Partners Australia (APA). The two are inextricably linked, but you would never know from the copious column inches of comment and analysis being served up daily. APA assures us they have a long term view, referring to continued growth and investment if the bid succeeds. … more

 

When leaving home means being abandoned

Much has been written about the apparent failure of child protection authorities to rescue children from situations of significant abuse or neglect, or alternatively to protect the rights of children who are living in substitute care. But the real national scandal is arguably the sudden abandonment of young care leavers when their protective court order ceases between the age of 16-18 years.   Young people leaving out of home care are among the most vulnerable … more

Breaking the Commonwealth/State Impasse in Health: a coalition of the willing

A Joint Commonwealth/State Health Commission (Joint Health Commission) A State handover of health services to the Commonwealth, as suggested by Tony Abbott, would be the best way to overcome the waste and buck-passing between the Commonwealth and State governments. Another option would be a joint national Commonwealth/State health commission. Both approaches would require the agreement of the Commonwealth and all of the States. But if these were not achievable because of ideology or political opportunism, … more

Snapshots

Talkin' bout a revolution: the future of education As has been widely reported Kevin Rudd and Stephen Smith have set out Labor's education policy priorities in their new directions paper, ‘The Australian economy needs an education revolution'. Their title captures the report's key assumption: Investment in public education is primarily an economic imperative to make the Australian labour force more innovative and more productive. Kevin Rudd's recent speech to the Business Council of Australia was … more

 

Editorial: ideas for a complex world

After years of privatising and commodifying public assets and services, many governments are starting to look like they've shrunk in the wash (and faded in the spin cycle). The Policy Portal is dedicated to exploring ways of renewing the role of governments through meaningful policy change – learning from the failures of the past and finding new ways to grow and sustain our common wealth. But there are times when government action alone is not … more

DISCUSSION PAPER: Do unions have a future?

Introduction The ACTU has led a very fine campaign against WorkChoices and is winning the public debate. However in the long term if the union movement is to regain and increase membership and play a critical role in Australian workplaces and society, it needs to add another important dimension to its strategy: unions need to become an important and publicly recognised force for improved productivity, sustainability, skills and jobs. Union membership is down to 24% … more

Lessons from the golden state

At a solar energy industry conference in California last October I saw Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger give what can only be described as a pep rally to 6000 solar entrepreneurs. He told them ‘there are no downsides [to the solar industry], only upsides, and this is what makes me happy’. It was a fascinating contrast to the efforts of our PM, who is fond of questioning whether solar even works. More importantly, the economy there is … more