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Abstracts of Research Notes published 2002-03 |
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| The
Double Dissolution Process: Questions and References
[HTML][PDF 196KB] This Research Note provides brief answers to a few commonly-asked
questions about the double dissolution process. (2 pages) |
| Dollars
and Sense: Trends in ASIO Resourcing [HTML][PDF 196KB] Australia's domestic security agency, the Australian Security Intelligence
Organisation (ASIO), is responsible for collecting and analysing
intelligence of relevance to Australia's national security, and
advising Government accordingly. As specified in the ASIO Act 1979,
ASIO's investigations are restricted to only those activities involving
espionage, sabotage, politically motivated violence, the promotion
of communal violence, foreign interference, or attacks on Australia's
defence system. (2 pages) |
| Behind
the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MeK) [HTML][PDF 196KB] Raids conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in June
2003 on the homes of Iranian Australians reportedly suspected of
involvement with the Iranian opposition group, the MeK, have raised
questions about the justification for such action, particularly
as the MeK is not a proscribed organisation in Australia. (2 pages) |
| Hezbollah
in Profile [HTML][PDF 194KB] Claims by the Federal Government that Australia is potentially
at risk of an attack by Hezbollah, a group blamed for a number of
terrorist attacks worldwide, have led to the introduction of the
Criminal Code Amendment (Hizballah1) Bill 2003, which would provide
a mechanism to proscribe Hezbollah. If passed, Hezbollah will be
the first organisation banned in Australia without prior reference
to the UN. (2 pages) |
| Regulation
of Private Health Insurance Premiums [HTML][PDF 201KB] In 2002 private health insurance premiums increased by 6.9 per
cent, the first increase in premiums since the introduction of a
number of incentives designed to increase private health insurance
membership and constrain premium increases. In response to the continued
growth in premiums the Commonwealth Government announced a series
of changes in the way private health insurance premiums are regulated.
These changes, discussed in detail in this note, seek to de-politicise
the process of increasing premiums and minimise the administrative
burden on private health insurance funds. (2 pages) |
| Electricity
Deregulation Outside the New South Wales and Victorian Markets [HTML][PDF 161KB] The aim of this note is to outline some of the deregulatory issues
that have occurred in recent years outside the dominant National
Electricity Market (NEM) of New South Wales and Victoria. The NEM
comprises New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Queensland, South
Australia and following the completion of the Basslink interconnector,
Tasmania. The focus is on developments in the smaller NEM markets
of South Australia and Queensland and the distant and separate markets
of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This provides a
supplement to the plethora of information on the principal markets
of the more populous States. (2 pages) |
| The
Scottish and Welsh Elections 2003 [HTML][PDF 204KB] The devolution of power to Wales and Scotland that took place in 1998 included the creation of the 129-member Scottish Parliament and the 60-member Welsh Assembly (both referred to as parliaments in this Research Note) for which the first elections were held in May 1999. The second round of elections was held in May 2003. These elections are of interest because: there was intense pressure and turmoil within the Scottish Labour
Party regarding its position on Iraq, and there has been interest
in the effect of this on its electoral fortunes |
| Is
there Adequate Parliamentary Scrutiny of Government Contracts?
[HTML][PDF 185KB] The Senate Order on Agency Contracts aims to ensure parliamentary
scrutiny of government activities in the face of increased use of
confidentiality as a ground to withhold information from the public
and from Parliament. (2 pages) |
| Is Medicare Universal?
[HTML][PDF 177KB] The term universalism is currently undergoing a revival in the
Australian policy debate. Politicians and commentators from across
the political spectrum are using the term in reference to the recently
proposed changes to Medicare. Much of the debate focuses on whether
Medicare has ever been universal and whether the proposed changes
will affect that universality. This publication provides a short
discussion of the meaning of the term universalism within the context
of the Australian welfare state and Medicare. (2 pages) |
| The Economic Costs of
Infectious Diseases [HTML][PDF 246KB] Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has highlighted the potentially
severe threat posed by infectious diseases to modern economies.
(2 pages) |
| Migrant Participation
in the Labour Force [PDF 175KB] Migrants are a disadvantaged group in the Australian labour market.
Apart from rates of unemployment that are much higher than those
experienced by the Australian born, they also have far lower rates
of labour force participation(1). While lower rates of participation
by migrants may be attributed to such factors as their birthplace
(language skills) and period of residence (local knowledge), the
ever widening gap in participation between migrants and the Australian
born suggests that other dynamic factors must also be at work. This
Research Note examines trends in migrant participation and the factors
which influence those trends. (2 pages) |
| Resolving the North
Korean Nuclear Crisis [PDF 157KB] The first step has been taken towards a resolution of the North
Korean nuclear crisis. However, the 23–25 April trilateral
negotiations held in Beijing, involving the United States, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China may have raised as many
questions as provided answers. (2 pages) |
| New South Wales Election
2003 [HTML][PDF 237KB] In many ways the election was a re-run of the election held in Victoria just 16 weeks before: - a Labor government's popularity had remained solid since the
previous election |
| Report of the Royal
Commission into HIH Insurance [HTML][PDF 161KB] The major companies in the HIH Insurance Group (HIH) were placed in provisional liquidation on 15 March 2001. The collapse of HIH is likely to be the largest corporate failure in Australia to date. The losses and hardship inflicted on the Australian community by this corporate failure have been significant and have been a major contributing factor to the current insurance crisis. The liquidation process could take up to ten years and the financial return to creditors is expected to be negligible. The Australian community had an expectation that corporate regulation,
audit and good corporate governance should have triggered early
warnings of any looming crisis. Public confidence has been shaken.
(2 pages) |
| Conscientious Objection
to Military Service in Australia [HTML][PDF 211KB] Australia was the first country to recognise the right to conscientious
objection to military service in legislation as part of the Defence
Act 1903. Recognition has developed from objections based on religious
belief to more secular philosophical and ethical convictions and
has developed in Australia to include, for conscripts, selective
conscientious objection to particular conflicts. (2 pages) |
| Conflict in Iraq and
Australian Trade [HTML][PDF 242KB] The effect of conflict in Iraq on Australian trade is dependent
upon many variables including, but not limited to, the duration
and intensity of conflict, international opinion on the humanitarian
cost and the design of any post-conflict administration. |
| After Iraq: A Military
Solution in North Korea? [HTML][PDF 204KB] The commencement of military action to forcibly remove the regime
of Saddam Hussein raises the question of whether to apply a similar
solution to the Kim Jong-Il regime in North Korea. This paper outlines
the difficulty of a military solution in the North Korean situation.
(2 pages) |
| Turkish Intervention
in Northern Iraq [HTML][PDF 494KB] Turkey has indicated that while denying the US permission to send
ground troops into Iraq from Turkish territory, Turkish troops have
been authorised by the Turkish parliament to intervene on the ground
in northern Iraq. Any Turkish move into Iraq could destabilise peace
plans and the post-war environment. (2 pages) |
| A Fair Deal for Territory
Voters? [HTML][PDF 183KB] In the 2001 Commonwealth election Northern Territory voters were
divided into two House of Representatives seats for the first time.
However, on 20 February 2003 the Australian Electoral Commissioner
determined that due to a population shift the Northern Territory
would lose the extra seat, returning to just the single member representing
the entire Territory. |
| Australia's F/A-18 Hornet
Aircraft—Implications of Use in Iraq [HTML][PDF 214KB] The Australian Government has recently committed one squadron of
F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft to potential military operations
against Iraq. This decision is surprising given the historical reluctance
of Australian governments to send these expensive military capabilities
in harm's way. This Research Note addresses some of the issues arising
from the decision, and its implications for the medium and long-term
future of this crucial defence capability. (2 pages) |
| Victorian Redistribution
[HTML][PDF 242KB] The recently completed redistribution of Commonwealth electoral
divisions in Victoria resulted in substantial changes to boundaries
in Melbourne's nort-west and in the La Trobe Valley. This Research
Note analyses the electoral consequences of the redistribution for
all Victorian electoral divisions. (2 pages) |
| Defence Employment by
Commonwealth Electoral Division [PDF 420KB] The north Canberra electoral division of Fraser has the highest
number of persons employed in the defence forces and in defence
administration. Other divisions with a high number of defence employment
are Herbert, Solomon and Canberra. This Research Note uses data
from the 2001 Census to rank each electoral division on the number
of persons employed in defence. (2 pages) |
| North Korean Crisis—Implications
for Australian Trade [HTML][PDF 462KB] The North Korean decision to restart its nuclear program and to
withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty could potentially
destabilise the North East Asian region. The crisis re-emphasises
the importance of the region to Australian trade and security interests.(2
pages) |
| Review of Commonwealth–State
Funding [HTML][PDF 162KB] The Governments of New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia
argue that current Commonwealth–State funding arrangements
disadvantage them. Late in 2001, these States commissioned Professor
Ross Garnaut1 and Dr Vincent Fitzgerald2 to review these arrangements
and recommend changes. The authors' proposals are contained in their
final report (the Review), which was issued in August 2002.3 This
Research Note examines the proposals and comments on them. (2 pages) |
| Candidacy of Local Councillors
for Federal Office [HTML][PDF 192KB] This Research Note discusses issues highlighted by a recent attempt
by the Queensland Government to require local councillors to vacate
office if seeking election to federal Parliament. (2 pages) |
| Changes in the Australian
Oath of Citizenship [HTML][PDF 39KB] The changes in the oath of citizenship over the last 50 years
reflect the evolution of Australia from British colony to independent
multicultural nation. (2 pages) |
| ASEAN Plus Three: Towards
the World's Largest Free Trade Agreement? [HTML][PDF 221KB] The ASEAN Plus Three dialogue process is becoming an increasingly
significant regional forum. Although an East Asian free trade deal
is both distant and fraught with obstacles, the conclusion of the
ASEAN-China Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation and its
goal of free trade within ten years has started the ball rolling.
Any changes in Asian regionalism is significant to Australia with
nearly half of its merchandise trade conducted within the ASEAN
Plus Three area. |
| The Cunningham by-election
2002 [HTML][PDF 38KB] The Cunningham by-election was remarkable in a number of ways: |
| Special Levies: Taxes
by Another Name [HTML][PDF 178KB] Since the mid-1990s, there has been a trend towards the use of
so-called special levies. Such levies, for example, the dairy industry
adjustment levy, finance specific programs with finite lives. This
Research Note is a compendium of special levies and comments on
them. (2 pages) |
| Regional Trade Agreements
and the WTO [HTML][PDF 32KB] Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) under the World Trade Organization
(WTO) definition include actions by governments to facilitate trade
through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or Customs Unions (CUs). As
at 30 June 2002 there were 169 RTAs notified to the GATT/WTO1 and
still in force. (2 pages) |
| Members Parliament (Staff)
Act: Employment Issues [HTML][PDF 34KB] The Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (the MoPS Act) governs
employment of staff (MoPS staff) by members, senators and ministers.
This Research Note complements two others, on MoPS Act Background,
and MoPS Act Accountability Issues. (2 pages) |
| Members of Parliament
(Staff) Act: Background [HTML][PDF 39KB] This Research Note describes the operation of the Members of Parliament
(Staff) Act 1984 (the MoPS Act), and should be read in conjunction
with the parallel Research Notes on employment issues and accountability
issues. (2 pages) |
| Public Finance and Vertical
Fiscal Imbalance [HTML][PDF 34KB] A feature of Australia's federal system is that the States have relatively large constitutionally-assigned spending responsibilities but few own-revenue sources whilst the reverse is true at the Commonwealth level. The difference between the relative revenue and spending responsibilities of the Commonwealth and States is known as vertical fiscal imbalance (VFI). The merits of VFI have long been debated. The issue became more
prominent with the introduction of the GST. This was associated
with an increase in VFI since under the agreement that the States
receive all GST revenue, the States agreed to abolish or reduce
some taxes.(1) This Research Note canvasses some of the issues in
the debate over VFI. (2 pages) |
| Scenarios for Australian
Military Contributions to the Probable War in Iraq [HTML]
[PDF 32KB] A host of factors, both internal and external, affect what military
options are available to the Government to contribute to a possible
War in Iraq. These factors include what ADF capabilities would fit
within the overall US operational plans; the ADF's current operational
commitment, the ADF's requirement to retain a degree of flexibility
to deal with short-notice regional requirements, and the federal
Government's political priorities. At the present time, it is possible
to envisage four broad scenarios. (2 pages) |
| Small Business Employment
[HTML] [PDF 33KB] Mortgage sizes have increased significantly in Australia over
the past 20 years, far in excess of the increase in family incomes.
This Research Note looks at the effect which these increases have
had on housing affordability, including the increased sensitivity
of home buyers to interest rate increases. (2 pages) |
| Small Business Employment
[HTML] [PDF 34KB] The small business sector is the largest employer in Australia.
However, the small business share of total employment is declining
and business surveys indicate that small businesses are unwilling
to take on additional staff. This Research Note examines a major
obstacle to small business employment.(2 pages) |
| New Zealand Election: 27
July 2002 [HTML] [PDF
34KB] Research Note No. 9 2002–03 Sarah Miskin, Politics and Public Administration Group 17 September 2002 New Zealand has another minority coalition government after the
election of 27 July 2002. The Labour Party won three more seats
than in 1999 but failed to win enough to govern alone and the National
Party recorded the worst result in its 66-year history. The surprise
success was the centrist, Christian-focused United Future, which
went from 1.1 per cent at the beginning of the campaign to finish
with 6.7 per cent of the vote and eight seats.(2 pages) |
| Populism in Australian
National Politics [HTML] [PDF 34KB] This is the fourth in a series on political theories in Australia.
The earlier Notes were on conservatism, liberalism and socialism.
This Note discusses the main strands of populism, it discusses populism
overseas as well as in Australia, and concludes that populist ideas
will always be present and will, from time to time, influence national
politics.(2 pages) |
| Tasmanian Election 2002
[HTML] [PDF 32KB] Tasmanian voters went to the polls on 20 July 2002, well before
the election was due. Dubbed 'the cold snap election', it was only
the fifth Tasmanian election held in the middle of winter. The Bacon
Labor Government was comfortably returned, the Liberal Party lost
ground and the Tasmanian Greens re-emerged as important parliamentary
players. This Research Note analyses the result.(2 pages) |
| Australia's Growth Industries
in the Age of the Knowledge Economy [HTML]
[PDF 44KB] In recent years the concept of the knowledge economy has emerged.
This research note defines the knowledge economy and examines the
emergence and nature of knowledge industries in Australia. (2 pages) |
| Members of Parliament (Staff)
Act: Accountability Issues [HTML]
[PDF 35KB] Research Note No. 5 2002–03 Dr Ian Holland, Politics and Public Administration Group 20 August 2002 This Research Note briefly notes the origins of the Members of
Parliament (Staff) Act and changes made to it in 1999. It discusses
whether the strategies to ensure accountability of staff employed
under that Act are adequate, and outlines a range of options available
should improved accountability mechanisms |
| Indigenous Flags and
Days [HTML] [PDF 39KB] Flags and commemorative days can have enormous symbolic import.
They can both help carry forward a public debate and themselves
become the centre of debate. So it is with the flags, days and weeks
which have particular relevance to Indigenous - non- Indigenous
relations in Australia. This Paper |
| Small Area Labour Market
Data [HTML] [PDF
85KB] There is widespread interest in small area labour market data.
This Research Note provides a ready reference to the various sources
of small area data as well as advertising the availability of an
historical |
| Global Trade Protection
and Australian Anti-Dumping Activity [HTML]
[PDF 34KB] The new US tariffs on steel imports are a sign of rising trade protectionist sentiment. They coincide with a record number of antidumping and safeguards actions against world imports in 2001, surpassing the previous record in 1999. This Research Note examines the rise in global trade protectionism as evidenced by the number of anti-dumping and safeguards cases initiated internationally and the record of anti-dumping activity in Australia since 1980.(2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation
[HTML] [PDF 33KB] The Commonwealth distributes GST revenue among the States on the
basis of the principle of horizontal fiscal equalisation. New South
Wales, Victoria and Western Australia argue that horizontal fiscal
equalisation disadvantages them and want its application changed.
This Research Note explains what |