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UncategorisedEmphasis on biosecurity
editor | May 23, 2012
The changing global environment means there is a need for a greater emphasis on biosecurity.The Australian Government is developing new legislation to replace the century-old Quarantine Act 1908 to create a responsive and flexible operating environment. The new legislation is designed to manage the risks of animal and plant pests and diseases entering, establishing and spreading in Australia.
It will focus on responsive regulation enabling a system that intervenes where there is a biosecurity risk that needs to be managed and promotes effective cooperation between governments, trading partners, industry participants and the community.
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Culture shock real for international students
Vivian Chen | May 23, 2012Moving to any new country can be a difficult journey of adjusting to life in a new environment. Vivian Chen looks at Australian culture through the eyes of an international student.People always say that if you are going to a different country, you should prepare yourself for “cultural shock”.
I did not expect to be shocked after being soaked in western media during my four years study of English in college back in China. However, when I came to Australia to pursue a master degree, the differences came from every aspect of life, no matter how well I thought I knew.
Forms, forms and more forms
Leighton Jenkins | May 21, 2012The World Bank Group ranks Australia the second easiest country in the world in which to start up a new business. Leighton Jenkins believes we could make it even simpler.
In June 2011 the World Bank published an economic ranking table for countries based on how easy it is to do business there.
A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. This index averages the country’s percentile rankings on 10 topics, made up of a variety of indicators, giving equal weight to each topic.
Younger generations worth protecting
Ellen Sandell | May 21, 2012The young people of today are not willing to just sit back and inherit the planet older generations want to leave them. Ellen Sandell says across the globe youth-led groups are deeply committed to climate justice for everyone.
The most exciting phase of my life began five years ago, in a dodgy backpackers’ in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.In a big, stuffy room, thirty leaders of Australia’s national youth organisations sat in a circle, getting to know one another. While we were from incredibly different backgrounds – faith groups, indigenous, young professionals, medical students, environmental and social justice activists – we had one important thing in common: we were young people facing a very uncertain future due to the threat of climate change, and we weren’t going to let our Government and business leaders get away with doing nothing about it.
Brave new thinking in a brave new world II
Malcolm Crompton | May 21, 2012Malcolm Crompton continues his look at the future of data processing policies and how businesses can win the trust of their customers through improved services.
In my last post , I alluded to Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Next paper and spoke about the need to rebalance the focus in privacy protection focus between user control of data collection and what firms are actually doing with that information so that there is an increased focus on the latter without ever denying the importance of the former.
Loss of biodiversity impacts us all
Susie Burke | May 18, 2012The loss of biodiversity is often seen as an aesthetic issue or something only scientists care about. Dr Susie Burke says her research shows that there are broader implications, including a noticeable decline in human happiness.
I recently presented a submission to the Inquiry into Australia’s Biodiversity in a Changing Climate on behalf of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). It responded to questions about how reduced biodiversity affects human communities and how climate change adaption can be enhanced.
The submission showed that environmental degradation and the accompanying loss of biodiversity have an impact on human health and well-being and only a holistic approach will assist both people and natural environments to adapt to that change.
Does it matter if our parents are gay or straight?
Simon Crouch | May 17, 2012
Finding ways to cut red tape
Sen. Arthur Sinodinos | May 15, 2012You can’t run a business in Australia without some level of red tape, but when does paperwork become an unnecessary burden? Senator Arthur Sinodinos calls for contributions to Global Access Partners’ online consultation on the Cost of Red Tape.
Regulating the 21st century
patrickcallioni | May 15, 2012Modern society cannot exist without an effective regulatory framework. But Patrick Callioni looks at how the reduction of some red tape could enhance business productivity and competitiveness in Australia.
The hallmark of success in a globalised economy, especially in a troubled economy, remains competitiveness.
Imagination an underrated business asset
Craig Manson | May 15, 2012Imagination can be synonymous with daydreaming, but it is an underestimated asset in the business world according to a new report from Canon. Craig Manson looks at why imagination should be more highly valued.The Macquarie Dictionary tells us that imagination is the ability to form mental images, sensations and concepts in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses.Despite research showing that organisations that value and harness imagination are amongst the highest earning companies, across the board, imagination ranks last on a list of 15 workplace characteristics valued by employers – which leads us to the question – is imagination Australia’s most underrated business asset?
Democracy, community agriculture and sustainability
Nick Rose | May 13, 2012Creating a healthier and happier food system benefits everyone, from the environment to the health of the individual. Nick Rose looks at how participatory democracy can impact our relationship with producing and consuming food.
Strata Laws consultation report released
Helen Hull | May 11, 2012NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts has welcomed the release of the Global Access Partners’ (GAP) Strata Laws Online Consultation Report. Hosted on the Open Forum website, the consultation saw 1230 individual comments on four key questions.
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