Latest Story
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Productivity myths, reality, failure and opportunity
Alan Castleman | September 7, 2012Most people think of productivity in the context of the private sector. But Alan Castleman says productivity across all sectors is important and growth is something Australia seems to be failing at.
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Mining regulation in Australia
Mitchell Hooke | September 6, 2012The mining industry has changed significantly over the last 20 years with regulations and the environment playing a key role in the way the sector operates. Mitchell Hooke explains the processes companies must go through to get mining approvals and defends the industry’s environmental credentials.
Twenty years ago mining was rightly or wrongly regarded as the neighbour from hell. We weren’t engaged with the community or appropriately aligned with many of the key principles of sustainable development.
But what a difference two decades have made. In the past 20 years there has been a fundamental change in the minerals resources industry’s approach to the way it operates and a top-to-bottom embrace of the triple bottom line.
Our environmental and social performance is every bit as important as our economic achievements.
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Relationship with India reshaping and growing
Ashok Malik | September 4, 2012Australian and Indian relations have been on shaky ground in recent years following random acts of violence against Indian students. A Taskforce was created to review the situation and member Ashok Malik shares its findings.
“War,” Georges Clemenceau famously said, “is too important to be left to the generals.” Similarly diplomacy and the engagement between two countries is simply too important to be left to diplomats. This pithy principle was behind the formation of the Australia India Institute (AII) Taskforce on Perceptions, which submitted its report in July.
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Uncategorised
The future of Native Title
editor | September 4, 2012The Federal Government has released its proposed legislative amendments to improve the operation of native title. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon says the reforms are aimed at improving the operation of the native title by encouraging flexibility in claims resolution and improving the quality of native title agreement-making.
The Native Title Amendment Bill 2012 makes amendments to the Native Title Act 1993 which will – clarify the requirement to negotiate in ‘good faith’; enable parties to agree to disregard historical extinguishment of native title in areas such as parks and reserves, and; streamline processes for Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
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What the new NRL TV deal means for the code
Tim Fuller | September 3, 2012Broadcasting rights play a key role in the development of sporting codes in Australia. Tim Fuller looks at the recent NRL agreement.
The historic broadcasting agreement reached last Tuesday (28 August) between the Australian Rugby League Commission, Nine and Fox Sports sits well for the future existence and survival of the current NRL clubs and future franchises.
It is an indication of how much the value of rugby league media rights have grown. With the introduction of colour television in 1975, the commercial value of rugby league escalated dramatically. By the 1980s television had played its significant part in revolutionising rugby league, transforming it from an activity with restricted coverage, witnessed in person, broadcast on radio and reported in the press into a product mediated spectacle with national and international audiences of millions.
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Productivity is in the eye of the beholder
David Byers | September 3, 2012Industrial relations continues to be a divisive topic in Australia, especially when it comes to productivity. David Byers says for our our oil and gas sector to flourish access to skilled labour is essential.
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Be careful what you wish for with NFP reforms
David Crosbie | August 31, 2012The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC), Australia’s first charity regulator, has announced a number of long-anticipated reforms. The not-for-profit sector should not expect it will be all things to all people, warns David Crosbie.
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Productivity in modern Australia
Peter Fritz | August 30, 2012The focus of the 2012 Global Access Partners National Economic Review is Productivity. GAP managing director Peter Fritz explores productivity and future opportunities for Australia.
According to many authors the growth of real income depends on productivity growth and growth in productivity is the driver of per capita income and living standards. Also it has been pointed out by many that increased productivity occurs when there is trustworthy leadership in management, effective communication, encouragement of innovative solutions and employee involvement in decision making.
The relatively low productivity of Australia’s mining industry, highlights the flow in the productivity argument. In this instance it took investment in new techniques and infrastructure to seemingly reduce the productivity of a sector, company, or division of a company.
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The issue of child sexual exploitation
Suezanne Packer | August 29, 2012Having your say – a review of the Strata and Community Title Laws
The Hon Anthony Roberts | August 27, 2012Strata living in New South Wales is set to change with the State Government currently preparing a discussion paper covering the points raised during the recent Strata Laws consultation.
UncategorisedEssential statistics invest in information that counts
editor | August 27, 2012The Australian Bureau of Statistics is calling for feedback on essential statistical assets (ESA) for Australia. The consultation is being undertaken to ensure the government invests in the information most needed for critical decision making in the future.
Chairperson of the Australian Statistical Advisory Council (ASAC), Geoff Allen, said high quality official statistics tell us how our society is working and progressing.