Introduction

The 42nd Parliament faces a significant work agenda across a diverse range of public policy issues following Labor’s decisive win at the 2007 election. A change of government inevitably means a change of direction and a significant program of policy development and legislative work. In addition, as with every Parliament, some work will flow from the unfinished business of the previous Parliament.

This Briefing Book has been written to assist senators and members to prepare for significant issues that are expected to arise in the early months of the 42nd Parliament. It presents a brief introduction to areas of key public policy concern, outlines the context for those concerns and discusses possible new policy and legislative directions.

The issues are introduced in summary form. Senators and members are encouraged to contact the Parliamentary Library researchers identified against each contribution for further assistance with confidential oral or written briefing, analysis or information. In addition, individual senators and members can request research on any parliamentary and policy issue by contacting the Parliamentary Library’s research service. Requests can be made through:

• the Library’s Central Enquiry Point (02) 6277 2500, or
• the contacts identified in the Parliamentary Library’s online Guide to Services at http://library.

The Briefing Book is available in hard copy to senators and members. It is also available online through the Senators’ and Members’ Services Portal, the Parliamentary Library’s intranet and the Parliament’s Internet web site. However, for copyright reasons, some of the linked sources in the electronic version of the document may not be accessible through the Internet.

I am confident that the Briefing Book will be a valuable resource for all senators and members. I and all my staff look forward to supporting the work of the 42nd Parliament throughout its term.

Roxanne Missingham
Parliamentary Librarian

7 December 2007