Parliamentary Library Briefing Book - 44th Parliament [PDF 3.35MB] Publication date: December 2013
Foreword by the Parliamentary Librarian
Federal election 2013
Composition of the 44th Parliament
The Senate voting system: issues and suggestions for reform
Constitutional Reform—Indigenous peoples and local government
Australia in pictures
Australian government debt and fiscal position
Australia's changing population
Some economic effects of inequality
Commonwealth expenditure: legality and scrutiny
The tools of macroeconomic policy—a short primer
Fiscal and monetary policy—renewed international debate
Intergenerational reports—key influences on policy?
The Australian economy—supporting the transition
Industry policy in an open economy
The future of the Australian processed food sector
Live animal exports
Australia's foreign investment policy
Over-the-counter derivatives—high risk investments in a largely unregulated market
DIY super: a continuing trend?
Current negotiations on Free Trade Agreements
Temporary skilled migration
Tax avoidance by multinational enterprises—Australian Government initiatives to avoid erosion of corporate tax base
Tax expenditures: costs to government that are not in the Budget
Sustainable funding of health care: challenges ahead
Sustainability of retirement incomes policies
The Australian Public Service—employment and the efficiency dividend
Closing the Gap
Does income management work?
Out-of-pocket payments for health care – finding a way forward
The crisis in the caring workforce
Improving school performance
Higher education: sustainability of a demand-driven system
Adequacy of income support payments
Reforming Australia’s aged care system: are we there yet?
Building the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Comparing the Paid Parental Leave schemes
Australia’s part in global climate action
Water
Murray-Darling Basin management
Oceans
Great Barrier Reef
Challenges in regulating biotechnology
The Commonwealth's role in protecting the environment
Australian non-renewable energy resources
The coal seam gas debate
Energy prices—the story behind rising costs
Support for renewable energy
Greenhouse gas reduction options
Capitalising on energy efficiency
Broadband
Transport infrastructure
Cyber security
Surveillance in society—global communications monitoring and data retention
Counter-terrorism laws—review and reform
Transnational organised crime
Copyright in the digital world
Same-sex marriage
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and related inquiries
Multilateral engagement—Australia's role in the United Nations' Security Council and the G20
The Australia-United States defence alliance
Australia's economic relationships with China
Australia and Indonesia: from good neighbours to strategic partners?
Australia in the 'Indo-Pacific' century: rewards, risks, relationships
Australia's relations with the European Union: towards a deeper regional engagement
Official Development Assistance: Australia's aid program
Defence: strategic policy and procurement
Afghanistan: drawdown and future prospects
Mental health of military personnel and veterans
Asylum seekers and the Refugee Convention
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