Essays, Books and Reports
The Australian Collaboration publishes essays, books and reports. The themes include aspects of democracy, the environment, social and Indigenous issues and international policy.
Essays
The essays shown below can be downloaded from the web. Hard copies are also available. Those interested in purchasing a hard copy should send $10 together with their address to 5 St Vincent Place, Albert Park, Victoria 3206. Cheques should be made out to the Trust for Young Australians.
The essays listed below are being reviewed and brought up to date by their authors. The date of last review will be shown when this has been done.
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Global PovertyGlobal poverty has complex causes and wide-ranging effects. In this essay Michelle Sowey examines the scale of the problem together with its impacts. It also considers a range of approaches to reducing poverty, and reviews the status of global action aimed at achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The essay concludes with a reminder of the great human significance of alleviating poverty. Published in February 2011 |
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The Australian EconomyIan McAuley is a well known author and commentator on economic matters. He is particularly known for his work with those seeking a fairer and more sustainable society to integrate economics into their policy proposals. In this essay he reviews the state of the Australian economy, the manner in which it has weathered the Global Financial Crisis emerging with low unemployment, low inflation, strong economic growth and very low public debt. He notes, however, that these indicators of prosperity have pushed into the background weaknesses in Australia’s economic structure. In the light of these strengths and weaknesses he sets out the policy challenges faced by the Australian economy. Published in October 2010 |
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Corruption: the abuse of entrusted power in AustraliaIn this essay, former Supreme Court Judge Tim Smith explores corruption in Australia: why it matters, how it thrives and what is needed to contain it. He analyses some of our worst corruption scandals. He compares the systems now in place to control corruption with more comprehensive models and asks why governments in Australia have not done all that can reasonably be done to to contain corruption. Published in 2010 |
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In or Out? Building an Inclusive NationIn this powerful essay, Professor Paul Smyth one of Australia’s leading social policy experts argues that it is high time Australia embarked on a period of nation building in the ‘Australian Way’. Our welfare system, he says, is out of date and we are sorely in need of a new social policy architecture to shape the nation. From this perspective Paul Smyth develops an argument for a radical policy renewal to reshape and integrate the economic and social policies of government. He argues that by linking the concepts of social inclusion and social investment we can reduce the impact of disadvantage for the benefit of all Australians. Paul Smyth holds an appointment as a Professorial Fellow in Social Policy at the University of Melbourne and is also General Manager of the Research and Policy Centre at the Brotherhood of St Laurence. The essay is jointly published by the Australian Collaboration and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Published in 2010 |
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Wrongs, Rights and Remedies: An Australian Charter?In this essay Professor Spencer Zifcak and Alison King, argue that it is now imperative that Australia legislates comprehensively to protect human rights. The authors point out that Australia’s legal protections against human rights violations are patchy and incomplete. The Australian Constitution says almost nothing about human rights, anti-discrimination laws provide only a scant and limited shield, and the common law can be overridden at any time by an ordinary Act of Parliament. The essay describes many areas in which human rights have recently been infringed. Published in 2009 |
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Democracy Under SiegeIn this essay Professor David Yencken and Dr Nicola Henry argue that there has been an increasing erosion of democratic practices in Australia over the last decade. Australia has also notably failed to keep pace with best practice in other established democracies. The essay lists the undertakings and initiatives of the Rudd Government to remedy these problems and identifies what further action is needed. Published in 2008 |
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Together At Last?Economists & Environmentalists In this essay, economist Dr Richard Denniss argues that economics has the tools available to help solve problems such as climate change but the economics required is different from that currently being practised. What is lacking, he says, is not the economic know-how but the political will. Published in 2007 See also the short essay “Australia’s economy” under Fact and Issue Sheets. |
Books
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A Big FixRadical Solutions for Australia’s Environmental Crisis (new extended and revised edition) In A Big Fix, eminent scientist and environmentalist Ian Lowe argues that the warnings from scientists are urgent and unequivocal. We are using resources future generations will need, damaging environmental systems and compromising social stability by increasing the gap between rich and poor. In short, we are consuming the future. We need a radical re-thinking of the way we currently live. Lowe proposes far-reaching solutions. He advocates a fundamental change to our values and social institutions and offers a vision of a healthier society. This is an extended and revised edition of the very successful first edition. |
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To firmer ground:restoring hope in Australia To firmer ground: restoring hope in Australia, written by John Langmore, is a broad review of the state of Australia society. The book’s main themes are: the different and often conflicting goals of income maximisation and human wellbeing; the most appropriate responses to Australia’s environmental crises; human security and the guarantee of a decent life for all; an economy that invests in the future and serves society; Australia’s role in advancing global security and justice; and the revitalising of Australian democracy and multiculturalism. The book concludes with a series of recommendations to set Australia on a more thoughtful, balanced and purposeful path. |
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How Ethical is Australia?An examination of Australia's record as a Global Citizen. How Ethical is Australia? assesses how well Australia is performing as a global citizen. It examines five areas of policy with a global impact – foreign aid, the United Nations, overseas trade, the environment and refugees. Australia’s record in four of these areas, the authors say, is not one ‘of which any nation would be proud’. How Ethical is Australia? argues that Australia should do more than pursue narrow short term interests. Government policy should be informed by an enlightened realism that marries national self interest with purposeful action to reduce poverty and protect the global environment. Such enlightened realism is not only essential for the achievement of a better world but is also in Australia’s long term interest.
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Into the Future: The Neglect of the Long term in Australian PoliticsIan Marsh and David Yencken Into the Future is a review of Australia’s current approach to long term analysis and planning. It provides a detailed analysis of recent changes in the Australian political landscape including the decline of party allegiances, the growth of interest groups and changing attitudes about politics and politicians. Into the Future argues that there are inadequacies in research and technical analysis, in public engagement and consultation and in the way that issues are drawn into the formal political system. The net result is a political structure at odds with our real situation and our real needs. Into the Future cites many examples of actions being taken in other countries to enhance their strategic capacity and proposes a range of different solutions for Australia.
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Reports
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Success in Aboriginal Organisations
For further information about the publications and to download these reports see Research |
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Which Direction?"Which Direction? A review of monitoring and reporting in Australia is an examination of social, environmental and economic reporting practices. It discusses optimal arrangements for reporting, problems that need attention to avoid pitfalls and the different types of reporting needed for different purposes. It finds many deficiencies in current reporting practices in Australia. The report concludes with a set of recommendations covering national and regional reporting, public sector reporting, corporate reporting and not-for-profit reporting. "Without question it is amongst the best summaries I have read, one that attempts to survey the entire field within a defensible set of categories. I know that my staff has found it enormously valuable." Dr Ian McPhail. Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, Victorian Government
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A Just and Sustainable Australiaby David Yencken and Libby Porter with contributions from the participating organisations. A Just and Sustainable Australia is a 100 page report describing key social, cultural and environmental issues facing Australia and the actions that should be taken to deal with them.
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