Government Administration

One of the most important objectives of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) is to support informed debate on key policy issues. We recognise that many councils and other local government organisations are not always able to undertake sufficient background research to underpin and develop sound, evidence-based po ....

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of social modelling, and in particular a general introduction to and insight into the potential role and usefulness of microsimulation in analysing public policy. Some of the main distinguishing characteristics of social models are discussed. The paper then describes recent microsimul ....

The focus of the 2003-04 State of the Regions report is on how ageing, migration and population growth impact on the economic potential of regions and the revenue raising capacity of local government. The fundamental message from this year's report is that for many regions strong positive population growth with a broad based age composition will ....

The Ernst & Young report Strong foundations for sustainable local infrastructure sets out a number of recommendations for funding future local infrastructure needs. The report makes recommendations on: how councils can leverage existing funding sources for investment in new infrastructure improving councils' access to finance, and helpi ....

Why do people in some places experience far higher levels of social development than others? In a world in which millions of people, particularly in developing countries, continue to lead lives plagued by illiteracy and ill-health, understanding the conditions under which social development does or does not occur is of critical importance to poli ....

In many Indigenous territories, continuing processes of primitive accumulation driven by governments' claims to resources and territory simultaneously deny Indigenous rights and insist on market forces as the foundation for economic and social futures in Indigenous domains. Drawing on research in North Australia, this paper identifies the erasure ....

Provides a summary and analysis of income and other tax laws that are likely to affect investment and management of NRM and options to improve NRM outcomes. -landcare provision and provisions related to water facilities could be better defined. Notes inequities in capital gains tax application and discussed FMDs. - Encouragement of large profit ....

The blame game between the Commonwealth and the states is a feature of Australia's health system. This report suggests that an Australian Government led 'national health agenda' may address this problem. It explores and makes recommendations relating to: problems with existing funding arrangements; possible models for reform; fundi ....

The Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir project is of immense size. Many thousands of tons of raw materials were required to complete the construction of the dam and relocations. Millions of dollars were spent to acquire land, compensate those who were displaced, and to pay those who were employed in the planning, purchasing, coordinating ....

There have been extensive debates on the factors that influence local policy decisions. Although many researchers have contributed to uncovering various influences such as political, economic, institutional, and demographic factors on local policy decisions, however, the concept of QoL rarely has used in extant literature. Local governm ....

To fulfil its emission reduction target pledged in the Copenhagen accord, the Australian Government has determined to introduce a carbon tax from July 1st 2012. This paper simulates the effects on the environment and on the economy of a carbon tax of A$23 per tonne of carbon dioxide proposed by the government with, and without, a compensation pol ....

This research investigates the relationship between municipal annexation and local government's financial condition. It addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on the roles of local government revenue structure and land use situations in affecting annexation's fiscal implications. The major research question is how the ....

This paper was developed as background for the meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government in June 2009. It looks at the economic downturn and its implications for local government and regional economies with particular reference to the Australian Government response. Report Locationhttp://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2009/other_005. ....

In light of a reinvigorated policy orientation toward agriculture in developing countries following recent dramatic developments affecting food prices and agricultural land use, public resource allocation decisionmakers ought to have access to the existing evidence from academic research on the impact of public investments related to and in suppo ....