The Australian Collaboration is a collaboration of peak national community
organisations representing social, cultural and environmental constituencies
and interests.
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The Australian Collaboration publishes essays, books and reports. The themes include aspects of democracy, the environment, Indigenous issues and international policy.
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.
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Democracy Under SiegeIn this essay David Yencken and 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. |
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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. See also the short essay “Australia’s economy” under Fact and Issue Sheets. |
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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. Cost: special Collaboration introductory discount AUD$25 inc. postage |
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A Big FixRadical solutions for Australia's environmental Crisis 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 – one that is humane, takes an eco-centric approach, adopts long-term thinking, uses our natural resources responsibly and is informed about the fragility of our natural systems. Cost: AUD$16.95 each + AUD$4.50 postage and handling |
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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. Cost: AUD$6.00 each inc. postage
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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. Cost: AUD$6.00 each inc. postage
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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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Success in Aboriginal Communities: A pilot studyComprehensive social, cultural, environmental and economic reporting Success in Aboriginal Communities: A pilot study was prepared for the Australian Collaboration by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. It is the report of the first stage of a two stage project. The report contains a literature review, definitions of success, and a discussion of research instruments and methodology. Two case studies were also carried out, one at the Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre in the Pilbara, Western Australia and the other at the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service in Kempsey, New South Wales.
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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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Where are we going: Comprehensive social, cultural, environmental and economic reportingby David Yencken
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