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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.
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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.
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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.
The brutal truth about innovation
Rowan Gilmore | May 11, 2012Innovation and commercialisation of research and development are essential for the competitiveness of an economy. But Rowan Gilmore believes that in Australia we lack the drive to effectively revitalise innovation.
Every now and then during our working lives we reach a point of despair where the time comes to say “cut the nonsense” (or usually, something stronger) and we realise that the trappings of nicety and competing stakeholder agendas have for too long prevented us solving the big challenges we face.Such is the case with talk about powering innovation in Australia.
There is indeed a real problem with stalling productivity and innovation drivers in Australia. The brutal truth is that, as a nation, we are just not hungry enough to do much else about it. It is said that necessity is the mother of innovation.
UncategorisedBuilding Framework input needed
editor | May 11, 2012
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is asking for comments on the draft National Building Energy Standard-Setting, Assessment and Rating Framework.The Framework has been drafted to drive improvement in Australia’s building stock by establishing a pathway for future increases in minimum building standards to 2020, and improving the approach to assessing and rating buildings.
The consultation will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review specific policy proposals in the Draft Framework and comment on ways to provide direction on future energy efficiency standards.
Feedback is particularly invited on the following proposals –
UncategorisedCost of Red Tape Online Consultation launched
editor | May 10, 2012
Australian businesses would benefit from the reduction of unnecessary regulation and red tape. It is seen as a significant strain on our national productivity and a significant barrier to job and wealth creation.In a recent report the Productivity Commission estimated the rewards for red tape reduction to be worth $12 billion in extra GDP.
Red tape is believed to contribute to 4% of Australia’s business costs.
To identify avoidable red tape and unnecessary regulation, public policy think-tank Global Access Partners (GAP) in conjunction with its First 5000 business network, is hosting the Cost of Red Tape online consultation on Open Forum at openforum.com.au/redtape.
Community engagement for a sustainable Australia
Chris Riedy | May 10, 2012The lack of progress on climate change is certainly not due to a lack of discussion or high-level policy making. But Chris Reidy says there needs to be more community engagement on the subject before there can be community acceptance.Sustainability is a slippery concept. As someone said to me yesterday, ‘if you ask a hundred people to define sustainability you’ll get a hundred different definitions’. For some people, this is cause for despair. They argue that the term has lost all meaning and should be abandoned.
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