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The
F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) Project: progress and issues for Australia
[HTML]
[PDF 99KB] The JSF or F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is Australia’s largest ever Defence acquisition project. This Research Note summarises the current status of issues relating to this project in the period leading to the Australian Government’s proposed signature to the Memorandum of Understanding for the production-development phase of this US-led multinational project. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
Time
for an Australia-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA)? [HTML]
[PDF 89KB] Australia has implemented, is negotiating or has laid the groundwork to negotiate an FTA with each of its top five export destinations—except South Korea. This Research Note looks at the domestic political impediments in South Korea that are preventing progress towards an FTA with Australia and at the prospects that this may change in the near future. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Members
of the Commonwealth Parliament with war service [HTML]
[PDF 62KB] It is a noteworthy aspect of the history of the various Australian parliaments that many of their members saw active service in times of war. The Commonwealth Parliament is no exception to this. This Research Note looks at the war service of Commonwealth Senators and Members. (2 pages)
|
The
incredible shrinking public sector [HTML]
[PDF 120KB] Over the past 20 years, the share of total employment taken up by the public sector has shrunk from 26 to 16 per cent. This Research Note examines in detail the size and nature of, as well as the reasons for, this decline.onal income tax system were put forward. This note seeks to present a summary of these proposals in one short document. In addition, the Research Note looks at some of the consequences of a shrinking public sector, particularly its detrimental impact on the apprenticeship system and the capacity of the public sector to provide jobs to low skilled workers. (4 pages)
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| Restructuring
the personal income tax system: who is proposing what? [HTML]
[PDF 120KB] During 2005 and early 2006 a number of proposals for restructuring the personal income tax system were put forward. This note seeks to present a summary of these proposals in one short document. (4 pages)
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Political
finance disclosure under current and proposed thresholds [HTML]
[PDF 112KB] Proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 currently before parliament raise the thresholds for political finance disclosure from $1500 to ‘more than $10 000’, increase the tax deduction for donations, broaden the definition of associated entity and widen the annual reporting requirement to include third parties. This Research Note examines political finance disclosures under the current and proposed thresholds, using the annual returns of the major parties (the Liberal Party, The Nationals and the ALP) for the financial years 1998–99 to 2003–04. (4 pages)
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Medical
Savings Accounts—a possible health reform option for Australia?
[HTML]
[PDF 84KB] Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) have been suggested as one way of addressing the question of how Australia can pay for its future health needs. MSAs are similar to compulsory superannuation—individuals save a proportion of their income into an account which can only be used for health expenses. In theory, these accounts accumulate when people are young and healthy, so that they can pay for health costs when people are older and need to spend more. This Research Note examines the case for MSAs by explaining what they are and what they are intended to do, presenting evidence from overseas about their efficacy, and discussing issues raised by any attempt to introduce them into Australia. (4 pages)
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Net
Family Tax Benefit 2004–05 to 2006–07 [HTML]
[PDF 356KB] The current debate over tax reform has focused attention on the
overall net tax position of families once the payment of Family
Tax Benefit and other social security payments have been taken into
account. By way of example, this research note seeks to provide
information on the changes in the position of a typical family with
two children, at various income levels. (4 pages) |
The
41st Parliament: middle-aged, well educated and (mostly) male [HTML]
[PDF 180KB] This Research Note examines the biographical details of the 226
senators and members of the 41st Parliament, as contained in the
30th edition of the Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of
Australia (2005). The Note outlines the age, qualifications, pre-parliamentary
occupation, and length of parliamentary service of the current politicians.
It shows that, generally, they are middle-aged, well-educated men,
many of whom have worked in politics-related occupations immediately
before being elected. The Note concludes with an overview of the
debate about the increase in the number of ‘professional politicians’
in parliament. (4 pages) |
Election
2006: Canada changes government [HTML]
[PDF 99KB] The Canadian election of 23 January ended twelve years of Liberal
government, with the election of the Conservatives led by Stephen
Harper—though without a parliamentary majority. The 46 year-old
Harper is Canada's 22nd Prime Minister, and the Harper government
is the tenth minority government elected since 1925. This paper
analyses the election and suggests that it seems unlikely that the
new government will run for a full term. (4 pages) |
'Gold!
Gold to Australia! Gold!' Australian gold statistics [HTML]
[PDF 102KB] Following a sustained upward trend since early 2001, the price
of gold topped US$500 an ounce on 29 November 2005 and appears headed
for its highest level for nearly twenty years. This research note
puts the current peak in its historical and current perspective.
(4 pages) |
| Reseal
royalty rights: possible models for Australia [HTML]
[PDF 138KB] Research Note no. 21 2005–06 Katrina Gunn, Social Policy Section 12 December 2005 With a decision on the introduction, or not, of a resale royalty right for Australian artists pending, this Research Note briefly considers the justifications for a resale royalty as well as possible models for implementation. Models include the UK’s Draft Regulations which will give effect to the European Union Directive requiring all member states to implement a resale royalty by 1 January 2006 and the German resale royalty scheme, in operation since 1965. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Estimates
of businesses by Commonwealth Electoral Division [HTML]
[PDF 392KB] Research Note no. 20 2005–06 Guy Woods, Statistics Section 5 December 2005 This research note provides estimates of businesses by Commonwealth electorate by business size. The report presents data on employing and non-employing businesses. This includes businesses employing 0–19 persons, 20–199 persons and businesses employing up to 100 persons and over 200. The information is derived from a snapshot of the ABS business register for June 2004. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| RU486
for Australia? [HTML]
[PDF 90KB] Research Note no. 19 2005–06 Luke Buckmaster, Social Policy Section 28 November 2005 How safe is the abortion drug RU486? Should medical (as opposed to surgical) abortion using RU486 be allowed in Australia? Who is the appropriate authority to decide such matters? Questions such as these have become increasingly prominent in Australia as the result of recently proposed Australian Democrats amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 designed to make it possible for RU486 to be used here for medical abortion. This Note provides a brief overview of RU486 and its use in medical abortion, an explanation of its current legislative status in Australia, and a brief analysis of the debate about changing this status. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Tax comparisons—Australia
and selected countries [HTML]
[PDF 130KB] Research Note no. 18 2005–06 Leslie Nielson, Economics, Commerce and Industrial Relations Section 24 November 2005 This Research Note compares different aspects of Australian and other countries' personal income tax system, in the context of the current debate over the reform of Australian income taxation. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| New Zealand
election: 17 September 2005 [HTML]
[PDF 156KB] Research Note no. 17 2005–06 Sarah Miskin, Politics and Public Administration Section 14 November 2005 New Zealand has its third successive minority government after the Labour Party won 41 per cent of the vote in the 17 September 2005 election and organised a variety of agreements with three of the minor parties. This Research Note examines the major issues of the campaign, the results, and some of the challenges facing the major parties. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Super
co-contribution—performance to date [HTML]
[PDF 87KB] |
High
unemployment in a time of low unemployment [HTML]
[PDF 95KB] BACK to Index What's New |
An
overview of the effectiveness of closed circuit television (CCTV)
surveillance [HTML]
[PDF 163KB] BACK to Index What's New |
3G,
or not 2G: that is the question—of mobile telephone futures
[HTML]
[PDF 80KB] BACK to Index What's New |
| Cancun
to Hong Kong: prospects for the WTO [HTML]
[PDF 80KB] BACK to Index What's New |
| Crossing
the floor in the Federal Parliament 1950 – August 2004 [HTML]
[PDF 135KB] Research Note no. 11 2005–06 Deirdre McKeown and Rob Lundie, Politics and Public Administration Section 10 October 2005 This Research Note presents the preliminary results of a study by the authors of instances of crossing the floor in the Federal Parliament from 1950 to August 2004. The authors will present the full results of the study in a paper to be published at a later date. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Possible
electoral redistributions during the 41st parliament: an update [HTML]
[PDF 107KB] Research Note no. 10 2005–06 Gerard Newman and Stephen Barber, Statistics Section 5 October 2005 In November 2005 the Electoral Commissioner will determine the representation entitlements of each State and Territory in the House of Representatives. If there is a change in entitlements then a redistribution in that state or territory will commence. The population estimates the Electoral Commissioner will use in his determination have now been published and the outcome is now clear: New South Wales will lose a seat and Queensland will gain a seat. Until the release of the population estimates, the situation in the Northern Territory was uncertain but the determination will not change the Territory’s present entitlement. This note supersedes an earlier note released in May 2005. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Australia's
humanitarian program [HTML]
[PDF 238KB] Research Note no. 9 2005–06 Janet Phillips, Social Policy Section 9 September 2005 In the last sixty years, Australia has resettled over 645 000 refugees and displaced persons, including thousands during and immediately after World War II. This Research Note outlines Australia’s humanitarian response since 1945, when Australia’s first Department of Immigration was established, and includes regional initiatives and international comparisons. It is intended as a companion to another Parliamentary Library publication, Australia’s migration program. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Country
of origin labelling: Are consumers willing to pay more for Australian
products? [HTML]
[PDF 82KB] Research Note no. 8 2005–06 Michael Priestley, Economics, Commerce and Industrial Relations Section 5 September 2005 Draft food labelling rules were released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 12 August 2005 amid calls for mandatory country of origin labelling. This Research Note examines the evidence for consumers buying Australian products, the current level of food imports and mandatory country of origin labelling in the United States. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Northern
Territory election 2005 [HTML]
[PDF 81KB] Research Note no. 7 2005–06 Fiona Childs, Politics and Public Administration Section 5 September 2005 This Research Note outlines the 2005 Northern Territory Election. The Australian Labor Party won in a landslide with Clare Martin returned as the Chief Minister. The election was noted for the number of women candidates and indigenous candidates voted into office. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Not on
my account! Cost-shifting in the Australian health system [HTML]
[PDF 90KB] Research Note no. 6 2005–06 Luke Buckmaster and Angela Pratt, Social Policy Section 2 September 2005 Accusations about cost-shifting are a constant in debates about the Australian healthcare system. This is particularly so in disputes between the Commonwealth and states over funding of public hospitals. This Research Note highlights the complexity of the cost-shifting debate and the difficulty in obtaining data which can be used to definitively demonstrate when cost-shifting occurs. It also highlights how both the complexity of the current system and increasing cost pressures make at least some cost-shifting inevitable. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Excising
Australia: Are we really shrinking? [HTML]
[PDF 202KB] Research Note no. 5 2005–06 Moira Coombs, Law and Bills Digest Section 31 August 2005 On 22 July 2005, the Migration Amendment Regulations 2005 SLI 171 came into force. The regulations excise the Coral Sea territory, Queensland Islands north of latitude 21 degrees south, Western Australian islands north of latitude 23 degrees south and Northern Territory islands north of latitude 16 degrees south from the migration zone. The Research Note briefly examines the meaning of excision, rights of persons resident in excised places, border protection and security and detaining persons in offshore entry places. The Research Note contains a map of the excised territory as well as a chronology of changes to date. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Timetable
for the next Australian elections [HTML]
[PDF 87KB] Research Note no. 4 2005–06 Rob Lundie, Politics and Public Administration Section 30 August 2005 This Research Note brings up to date the Research Note issued in April and gives the dates for the next Commonwealth, State and Territory elections taking into account the Northern Territory election in June. It is planned to reissue this publication after each election. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| The new
Child Care Tax Rebate [HTML]
[PDF 111KB] Research Note no. 3 2005–06 Greg McIntosh, Social Policy Section 5 August 2005 This Research Note outlines the main features of the new Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) and how it interacts with the existing Child Care Benefit (CCB). Legislation to introduce the CCTR is currently before the Federal Parliament. As well as looking at some of the issues that have been publicly debated about the effects of the CCTR on the child care sector, the Note also gives examples of how families on differing taxable incomes will get differing amounts of CCTR. (2 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| Disability
Support Pensioners, 1984–2004 [HTML]
[PDF 234KB] Research Note no. 2 2005–06 Malcolm Park, Statistics Section 15 July 2005 Between 1984 and 2004 there has been a significant rise in both the number and proportion of the population that is in receipt of the Disability Support Pension (DSP). This Research Note examines the rises in relation to the age and sex of DSP recipients, the periods of significant increases and suggests possible reasons for the changes. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
| The annual
allowance for senators and members [HTML]
[PDF 428KB] Research Note no. 1 2005–06 Leanne Manthorpe, Politics and Public Administration Section 1 July 2005 Senators and members receive an annual allowance by way of basic salary—$111 150 from 1 July 2005. This Research Note explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance. Adjustments to the annual allowance since 1984 are provided in a table. (4 pages) BACK to Index What's New |
