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North
Korean nuclear issues and the role of parliamentary diplomacy [HTML]
[PDF 58KB] International efforts to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program have been marked by limited and inconsistent engagement and distrust. One often overlooked diplomatic process that has remained continuous and supported the development of greater trust, is parliamentary diplomacy. This Research Note looks at the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing the nuclear issue and how the Australian Parliament could contribute to these efforts.nators with material should they wish to mark the end of this era of British politics in any way. (4 pages) |
Tony
Blair, British Prime Minister 1997–2007 [HTML]
[PDF 66KB] The resignation of Tony Blair as UK Prime Minister marks the career end of the most successful British Labour PM. Blair has also led the second-longest British government of the last 100 years. British politics have altered markedly during this period. This research note is analysis of Mr Blair’s leadership, and is written to note this event and its significance, and to provide Members and Senators with material should they wish to mark the end of this era of British politics in any way. (4 pages) |
Does
cannabis use lead to mental-health problems?: findings from the
research This Research Note provides an overview of recent research into the links between cannabis use and mental-health problems. It finds that there is growing evidence of an association between cannabis use and the development of mental disorders but there is ongoing debate over exactly how this association should be characterised. In brief, it appears that while the majority of cannabis users will not develop mental illnesses as a consequence of their cannabis use, there is good evidence that certain users, such as young people and heavy users, are particularly at risk of harmful outcomes. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Members
of Commonwealth ministries How many MPs achieve ministerial positions? How many women have done so? From which states have ministers come? Have there been different trends over time? How many Senators have held office? In answering such questions, this Research Note uses material gathered by the Parliamentary Library’s Politics and Public Administration Section for the production of the Parliamentary Handbook, as well as from research undertaken for Members and Senators. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
New
South Wales election 2007 During 2005–2006 the NSW Labor Government trailing the Coalition parties, pointing to community unhappiness in a state with a host of government service delivery problems. Despite this the Iemma Government won a comfortable electoral victory. What brought enough voters back to Labor’s side for it to win? Why were its opponents unable to capitalise on voter frustration? (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Unemployment
and other measures of labour underutilisation This Research Note examines the definition of unemployment and its limitations. It also considers how these limitations can be overcome by using other measures of labour underutilisation produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Australia's
uranium [HTML]
[PDF 62KB] This note examines the issues of Australia’s uranium in the context of world supply and demand, shows why world prices are rising, and looks to the future of the uranium industry in the environmental debate over greenhouse gas emissions. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Victorian
election 2006 [HTML]
[PDF 82KB] The Victorian election held on 25 November 2006 was the state’s first fixed-term election. It was also the first election for a smaller Legislative Council, with a new electoral system. The Labor Government led by Steve Bracks was returned comfortably, with the Liberal Opposition with still much to do if it is to regain office in 2010. This paper discusses the election outcome. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Temporary
(long stay) business visas: subclass 457 [HTML]
[PDF 68KB] In August 1996, the federal government introduced the Temporary (long stay) Business Visa (Subclass 457) allowing employers to sponsor skilled workers for a period of three months to four years. It is the visa that is most commonly used by employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis. This Research Note provides statistics and background on the 457 visa, and discusses some of the controversies that are currently raging on temporary skilled and business migration. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Timetable
for the next Australian elections as at 8 December 2006 [HTML]
[PDF 73KB] The Timetable for the next Australian elections which gives the dates for the next federal state and territory elections has been brought up to date. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Daylight
saving time [HTML]
[PDF 325KB] Daylight saving time is being discussed again in Queensland and
after a period of more than 20 years has been re-introduced in Western
Australia. This Research Note puts these states into the context
of world and Australian time zones and provides ready reckoners
to convert times between Australia's states and territories. (4
pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Water
requirements of nuclear power stations [HTML]
[PDF 87KB] A US study into the water requirements of power stations found
that nuclear power stations required more water than power stations
using other sources of energy. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Commonwealth
child care support —what do families get? [HTML]
[PDF 77KB] This Research Note gives an overview of what the Commonwealth provides
in terms of child care financial support and assistance and includes
details of Commonwealth funding for child care in recent years.
It also includes examples of the maximum rates of Child Care Benefit
(CCB) and Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) that families can expect
to receive at differing family income levels. The data provided
shows that the combined impact of the CCB and the CCTR sees families
on lower incomes get the highest benefit. (3 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Timetable
for the next Australian elections [HTML]
[PDF 83KB] The Timetable for the next Australian elections which
gives the dates for the next federal state and territory elections
has been brought up to date. A further update to include the Queensland
and Victorian elections will be published soon. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Government
asssitance to alternative transport fuels [HTML]
[PDF 99KB] The Government subsidises the production and consumption of fuels other than petrol and diesel. This paper describes the forms of assistance and, where possible, their cost. (3 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Home
loan affordability—measurement and trends [HTML]
[PDF 62KB] This Research Note examines the various measures of home loan affordability and discusses some of their limitations. The Note also looks at the trend in home loan affordability over the past 20 years and shows how the sensitivity of home loan affordability to interest rate rises has increased gradually over time. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| House
prices [HTML]
[PDF 65KB] After several years of rapid growth, house price increases in Australia have started to slow. This Research Note examines some of the issues surrounding the different house price measures and looks at the trend in house prices over the past 20 years.(4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
A
North Korean nuclear test: possible or probable? [HTML]
[PDF 102KB] On 10 February 2005, North Korea for the first time openly declared that it had manufactured nuclear weapons. More recently, media reports have highlighted the possibility that it may soon conduct a test. This research note looks at the possibility that this will actually occur and the implications that a test would have on the region. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Preference
flows at the 2004 House of Representative election [HTML]
[PDF 102KB] Which of the major parties has benefited most from the preferences of minor parties and independents? This Research Note examines: the number of divisions requiring preferences in elections since 1984; the role of preferences since 1984; and details on the final destination of minor party and independent preferences at the 2004 election. (2 pages.) BACK to Index What's New |
North
Korea: diplomatic efforts [HTML]
[PDF 90KB] On 5 July 2006, North Korea tested a series of missiles over the East Sea, between the Korean peninsula and Japan. The missile tests heightened tension in what is now a long running diplomatic impasse over North Korea's pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. This Research Note looks at North Korea’s aims, its methods of achieving these aims, and ongoing efforts by the international community to address North Korea's nuclear ambitions. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Queensland
and New South Wales proposed redistributions, 2006 [HTML]
[PDF 198KB] At the end of June 2006 the Redistribution Committees for Queensland and NSW released the proposed boundaries for the redistributions that see Queensland gaining and NSW losing a division. This Research Note describes the proposals and converts the 2004 election (two-party preferred) results to the proposed boundaries. Also included is a revised electoral pendulum that incorporates the proposals and the final determination of the 2005 redistribution of the ACT. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Federal
government advertising 2004–05 [HTML]
[PDF 77KB] This Research Note updates the details of federal government expenditure provided in the earlier Research Note published in June 2004. It also outlines the controversy over the Howard Government’s Work Choices advertising campaign and the findings of the Senate inquiry into government advertising. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| The
annual allowance for senators and members [HTML]
[PDF 158KB] Senators and Members receive an annual allowance by way of basic salary. This Research Note explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
