...INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS? 4 4 AUSTRALIA’S FEDERATION – HOW IS IT OPERATING? 5 5 INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS 8 6 INTERNATIONAL FEDERAL SYSTEMS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW 9 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 PRINCIPLES OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS EFFECTIVENESS TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY EFFICIENCY INDEPENDENCE 11 11 33 34 37 40 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL ARRANGEMENTS REVENUE RAISING SPENDING FISCAL EQUALISATION MONITORING POLICY 43 43 51 55 56 57 9 CONCLUSION 59 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN FEDERAL SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION 1| INTRODUCTION Australia, like many other systems of government around the world, is a federal system. Federations, while divided into different levels of government inevitably have a degree of interdependency between governments. Inescapably there arises a degree of conflict or ineffective governance. For example, disputes may arise between different governments on the basis of service provision or infrastructure, constitutional jurisdiction, fiscal arrangements (e.g. vertical fiscal imbalance or spending powers) or environmental or social issues. Most federations have developed a system of intergovernmental consultation and cooperation to deal with such issues, and to manage and foster cooperation between governments. The character of intergovernmental arrangements is unique to each federation, and depends on various factors...
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...Federation was when the colonies of Australia united on the 1st of January 1901, to form what is now called ‘The Commonwealth of Australia’. This federation didn’t happen overnight but through a period of 50 years of discussion by the people of Australia. This idea was achieved for many reasons including to unite the defense forces of Australia, a sense of nationalism and to have a ‘White Australia’. While there were many reasons supporting federation, there were also arguments that hindered the idea such as loss of worker rights, loss of cheap labour and also the thoughts of isolation by the smaller colonies. One of the key reasons for federation was to unite the defense forces of Australia. During a trip to the Australian defense units by Major General J.B, he deeply criticized about the wastage of the separate colonial defense units. As Major General J.B stated ‘the defense forces should at once be placed on a proper footing but this however quite impossible without a federation of the forces of the different colonies’. During the late 1800s, Australia became very concerned about the ‘threat’ from Asia and it soon became very clear when Queensland feared Germany’s intentions on taking Papa New Guinea. Supporters such as Sir Henry Parkes argued and supported for the idea of federation as it is clearly necessary for Australia’s defense forces to come together and protect Australia against foreign powers. Another obvious reason supporting the idea of federation was due...
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...INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN FEDERAL SYSTEMS 39 7.5| INDEPENDENCE The actions and decisions of intergovernmental relations must be free from undue influence from political or private interests. They must have high-level commitment. The Productivity Commission has a very important role in Australia’s economic competitiveness in identifying reform priorities for Australia, and conducting detailed research and making recommendations on potential solutions. The Productivity Commission’s contribution to the understanding of our federal system has been seen in a number of reports it has produced, including the recent compilation of materials from the 2006 Roundtable Proceedings in Canberra entitled Productive Reform in a Federal System. The Productivity Commission’s role in federal–state relations is limited however: + The research priorities are set by the Commonwealth Government (and therefore potentially guided by political interests of the day rather than long-term objectives) and there is limited opportunity for the Productivity Commission to set its own work priorities. + There is no ‘buy-in’ by the state governments (either in terms of the direction of the Productivity Commission’s work agenda, the funding of the Commission or the outcomes). + There is no requirement for the Commonwealth Government to respond to the reports of the Productivity Commission, and therefore less accountability for the findings. Two considerations...
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...nation to immigrants all around the world. Since ancient time, Australia attracts a mass of immigrants to study or work because of the clean natural environment, biology diversity and rich natural resources, perfect education system as well as the multicultural society (Ehow, n.d.). It should be acknowledged that immigration has played an integral role in Australia’s population increase and economic development (Migration Expert, n.d.). The immigration in Australia has undergone a long-term process. Firstly, indigenous inhabitants have lived in Australia for approximately 40,000 years. On 26 January 1788, a date known as ‘Australia Day’ at present, the Britain’s first...
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...[pic]Top of Form Aboriginal Australia [pic] Find out how you can connect with the world’s oldest living culture. Discover it the same way Aboriginal Australians have passed it down for at least 50,000 years - through art, dance, myths, music and the land itself. See Aboriginal art and contemporary dance in the cities. Or head to the outback and listen to Dreamtime myths of creation by the campfire. Let Aboriginal Australians help you understand this ancient land and its spirituality and wonder. Six special places you can connect to Aboriginal Australia [pic] Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory Visit Uluru and you’ll see why the rock and surrounding land have such huge spiritual significance for the Anangu Aboriginal people. According to their creation myths, ancestral spirits formed Uluru, which lies in Australia's red centre like an enormous, moody heart. Aboriginal guides will share these ancient tales as you walk around the rock’s base. Just 32 kilometres away is another sacred site - Kata Tjuta. You’ll be awestruck by these steep, rounded, russet domes over 3,500 hectares. [pic] Kimberley, Western Australia Featuring vast horizons and ancient gorges, the Kimberley region is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. See Wandjina figures painted in caves and the mysterious Gwion Gwion paintings. Ride a camel on Broome’s breathtaking Cable Beach and 4WD the red-dirt road along the Dampier Peninsula. Learn the legend of the orange and black beehive...
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...Background:- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV). During an initial infection a person may experience a brief period of influenza like infections and illness. Prolonged periods without treatment cause death. The disease includes tumors, opportunistic infections and damage of the immune system. Transmission of HIV/AIDS is caused by several ways, sexually, exchange of body fluids like blood, serum and saliva and also from mother to child. For the awareness of the people there are a lot of Government and Non-Government organizations that have been founded. These organizations have various educational programs to educate and create awareness. But are these programs reaching the people properly? Are the people following and understanding the information? Is there any decrease or control of deaths and transmission of HIV/AIDS? Many organizations and AIDS types of council are formed in Victoria and many places in Australia. The Victorian AIDS Council has taken a prominent role to control and help in the education and awareness of the people. As HIV/AIDS is transmitted in Victoria especially by men to men, the launch of Gay Men Health Care organizations have been formed for its control. Needs Analysis Design:- The target population of the needs analysis was identified to all the patients who are affected with HIV/AIDS in Gay Men Health Care. This comprises only to the patients...
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...future (Thomas 2007, p.7). But control is difficult enough to achieve over people, let alone trying to control the physical environment (Thomas 2007, p.7). Another fundamental issue for policy-makers is the direction of the policy. In particular they have to consider whether they are attempting to prevent environmental impacts that result from human action, or whether they are attempting to adapt to such changes, consciously or unconsciously (Thomas 2007, p.8). Natural Resources Natural resources have been critical for human welfare since people first started to walk the earth several million years ago (Field 2005 p.27). Natural resource economics is the study of how the flow of goods and services derived from natural resources is, and should be, managed in today’s world (Field 2005 p.37). Field continues to state that resource management problems derive from the underlying technological, institutional and cultural factors that characterise the economy (2005, p.37). Given the information concerning environmental policy and the importance of natural resources to human welfare and, the fact that our natural resources are under threat not just for today’s generation but for future generations. This paper will now discuss one of the essential elements of life...
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...Monsanto occupies many locations all around the world. As of now Monsanto is in 68 different countries with its’ world headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The locations all around the world include various manufacturing plants, seed production facilities, research centers, learning centers, and administrative sales offices. “By having locations close to our customers, we are better able to experience the needs of those customers, to understand the pressures confronting them and to develop innovations tailored to their needs ("Monsanto Facilities Round the World") Monsanto has been on the trend of expansion for the past few months. In August, Monsanto opened a 90,000 square-foot building in Woodland, California. This building was a $30 million investment and will consolidate the company’s seed health group, trait genetics group, molecular marker group, and visitor reception area. By consolidating these groups together they are cementing there position in the community and creating a better workplace for employees. Expansion has been one of our primary focuses within the past few years. We are very exciting to start our Chesterfield Village expansion project which will create 675 new jobs in St. Louis across all levels over the next three years. According to Hugh Grant, chairman and CEO of Monsanto, “Our Chesterfield expansion is focused on strengthening our world-class capabilities in the discovery and development of innovations for farmers around the world”. Grant believes...
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...Contemporary Privacy Issues Report Introduction Privacy is one of the fundamental human rights, every individual should have full control over their personal information. However due to the continuous evolution of society and technology, the importance of a person's right to privacy has been eroded. This report discusses the contemporary privacy issues on different levels and areas, with specific focus on credit reporting, protection of customer’s private information by businesses, health records, internet data and government intelligence access to information. Sections of the current Privacy Act 1988, the new Australian Privacy Principles 2014, and legislations related to the topic areas mentioned above will also be discussed in detail, and the effectiveness of these laws will be analysed. A person's credit history contains a vast amount of personally sensitive information which have a high commercial value, therefore it is extremely important to ensure businesses adhere to the privacy act to prevent the unauthorised use of these information. Any misuse of information can cause great personal and financial harm to the victim. Privacy of health information is fundamental principle in health care. Lack of privacy information might result in people not seeking the health care they need which might be very risky to their own health and the health of others. The rate of technological development is accelerating too quickly and current laws are becoming irrelevant...
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...Advancing Australia’s ‘Human Capital Agenda’( Gary Banks Chairman, Productivity Commission Introduction It is a privilege to have been invited to give the fourth Lecture in this annual series in honour of Ian Little. Ian was a passionate advocate for good public policy and for reform — within his own state and nationally. This was grounded in an equally strong attachment to good analysis and evidence in support of policy decisions. As Secretary of the Victorian Treasury, he championed the use of quantitative analysis, including the development of an input/output based model of the Victorian economy, to gain a better understanding of the effects of policy changes on different industries and on the State’s overall economic performance. It was under his and John Brumby’s stewardship of the Treasury portfolio that the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission was established, to provide rigorous arms-length analysis and advice on key policy issues affecting the welfare of Victorians (akin to the role of the Productivity Commission at the national level). Victoria’s more systematic attention to good analysis and policy innovation commenced in the 1990s. It has yielded considerable benefits for Victoria’s citizens since then, not only in the comparative economic performance of this State, but also in its achievements in the social and environmental domains. Victoria was a first mover in the ‘second wave’ of economic reforms in the 90s — reforms that...
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...Annual Report 2008-09 Productivity Commission Annual Report Series © COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 2009 ISSN ISBN 978-1-74037-286-2 1035-5243 This work is subject to copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, the work may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Reproduction for commercial use or sale requires prior written permission from the Attorney-General’s Department. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Canberra ACT 2600. This publication is available in hard copy or PDF format from the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au. If you require part or all of this publication in a different format, please contact Media and Publications (see below). Publications Inquiries: Media and Publications Productivity Commission Locked Bag 2 Collins Street East Melbourne VIC 8003 Tel: Fax: Email: (03) 9653 2244 (03) 9653 2303 maps@pc.gov.au General Inquiries: Tel: (03) 9653 2100 or (02) 6240 3200 An appropriate citation for this paper is: Productivity Commission 2009, Annual Report 2008-09, Annual Report Series, Productivity Commission, Canberra JEL code: D The Productivity Commission The Productivity Commission, is the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on a range...
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...prohibit the use of various drugs. The declaration of ‘war on drugs’ took place in the United States of America (USA) in 1971. The historical response to the ‘war on drugs’ has been prohibition: the complete banning of drug use. This approach, which involves strict enforcement of illegal drug laws, has proven costly and ineffective (RCAP & RANZCP, 2004). This essay will focus on Australia’s current drug debate regarding the legalisation of certain prohibited illicit drugs. Whilst examining the Australian position, this essay will use international examples to illustrate how the current strategy fails and survey workable solutions. Firstly, this work examines the historical position of the ‘war on drugs’. It will outline the history of drug use in Australia and the nation’s current drug policy. This essay will then discuss the criminal, social, health and policy issues surrounding the debate regarding the legalization versus prohibition. Having addressed these points this essay concludes the prohibition of certain illicit drugs has failed comprehensively and legalising, controlling and regulating drugs should be the new Australian drug policy. Body The ‘war on drugs’ is fundamentally a viewpoint voicing...
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...responsibility programs in a leading Sydney law firm, teaches law students at a Sydney university and independently, undertakes community development projects in Western Sydney. Her work has included legal and policy roles in the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Australian Human Rights Commission, UN High Commission for Refugees and the ICTY. She has experience in litigious and political advocacy. Jane holds qualifications in law (Honours) and in Arts (Honours) from ANU and a Masters of Law from New York University. ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The publisher would like to thank Dr Ben Saul, Director, Sydney Centre for International and Global Law, for reading and commenting on the text. DESIGN: Bodoni Studio PHOTOS: Cover image – National Geographic; p 12 – UN Photo; p 14 – Age fotostock; p 19 – AAP Image; p 28 – Newspix; p 31 –...
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...and inquiries concerning reproduction rights should be directed to the Manager, Commonwealth Information Services, Australian Government Publishing Service, GPO Box 84, Canberra ACT 2601. The Government is seeking comments from interested parties on the detail of the proposals in this paper which should be forwarded to the following address: First Assistant Secretary Business Law Division The Treasury Parkes Place PARKES ACT 2600 Telephone: 02 6263 3960 Fax: 02 6263 2882 Email: clerp@treasury.gov.au Copies of this paper are available from the Australian Government Publishing Service and on the Treasury web site (http://www.treasury.gov.au). Enquiries concerning the paper can be made to: Ms Veronique Ingram Assistant Secretary The Treasury Telephone: 02 6263 3970 Printed by the Australian Government Publishing Service TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abbreviations PART 1: PART 2: Reform Proposals Introduction 2.1 2.2 PART 3: Background Key economic principles v 1 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 16 17 19 19 19 20 22 23 The Case for Reform 3.1 3.2 Impetus for reform What the Government is seeking to achieve PART 4: Role of Accounting Standards 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Objectives and impact of accounting standards Content of accounting standards Need for cost/benefit analysis of standards Appropriateness of particular accounting standards PART 5: Role of International Accounting Standards 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Global environment Australia’s...
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...ASYLUMS SEEKERS AND REFUGEES “Like many members of the Hazara minority in Afghanistan, Chaman Sha Nasiri fled his homeland to escape persecution. At the time, the Taliban had been hunting for young men to either recruit or kill. Chaman then spent three years in the Nauru processing centre. It was a time of uncertainty, and as with many other asylum seekers, he became increasingly anxious and desperate” 1 Chama’s Story is just one of many for asylum seekers who seek refuge here in Australia. They come to our country expecting safety and freedom alongside the most basic human right. Yet when they arrive they are imprisoned and treated as criminals. It is clear that the laws surrounding this issue are in dire need of change. Australia is a country well known for its diversity of beliefs and religions, it is said to be accepting of others, however, when the topic of asylum seekers is brought forth, the government and media portrays the need for border protection, and “stopping the boats”. This type of hostile political enforcement and negative media coverage only furthers the portrayal of refugees as something fear, in the mind of most Australians. However, although it is not widely broadcasted by the Government or media, Australia has a legal obligation to help asylum seekers under the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951, to which Australia is signatory. According to the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, amended by the 1967 Protocol (the...
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