Centre for Policy Development's Blog, page 83
July 23, 2012
Menadue & Keski-Nummi | Submission to Expert Panel on Asylum & Refugees
CPD Fellows John Menadue and Arja Keski-Nummi have submitted commentary and recommendations to the government-appointed Expert Panel on Asylum and Refugees.
“The hallmark of good public policy is the need to continually review, replace and refresh policies; to be responsive to the demands of the contemporary situation.”
Building on recommendations made in the 2011 CPD report A New Approach, Menadue and Keski-Nummi expand on the key elements that underpin a multidimensional approach to asylum policy, where “governments alone cannot solve the problem”. A sound plan of action would incorporate a review of visa and resettlement options, regional co-operation, enhancing research and evaluation, and engaging civil society in asylum policy. The complex, multidimensional nature of humanitarian displacement calls for an equally multidimensional and comprehensive policy response, particularly as “there are no easy answers or quick fixes”.
What we have mapped out are some of the key elements for developing such an approach and it builds on the recommendations outlined in the Centre for Policy Development’s report A New Approach. Breaking the Stalemate on Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Australia in 2011.
Access other CPD material on refugee policy here
Access John Menadue’s website at johnmenadue.com
July 22, 2012
Judi Moylan MP | SBS World News Australia, 17 July 2012
Centre for Policy Development – “a very credible organisation” – cited as a good source for informed debate
Western Australian Liberal MP Judi Moylan spoke out on SBS, 17 July, about the need for Australia to lift its intake of refugees, and to re-engage with the UNHCR.
Unlike other leading members of her party, who insist that Temporary Protection Visas and the “suite of measures” lately put forward by the Opposition fully address the situation, Mrs Moylan looks to “scholarly” sources such as the 2011 CPD report, A New Approach by Menadue, Gauthier and Keski-Nummi, for reliable data on the true drivers of people flows around the world.
People talk about queue jumping – but there isn’t a queue!
Listen to the interview with Mrs Moylan here
Access CPD report: A New Approach – Breaking the stalemate on refugees and asylum seekers
July 19, 2012
Arja Keski-Nummi | ABC RN Breakfast, 19 July
Fran Kelly interviews Arja Keski-Nummi for her response to the Green Party’s proposed refugee solution
The Radio National Breakfast host Fran Kelly interviewed CPD Fellow and former First Assistant Secretary within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at the time of the ‘Comprehensive Plan of Action’ which was brought into effect to cope with the influx of ‘boat people’ after the Vietnam War.
Arja argued for better policies – not necessarily a direct copy of the CPA – asserting that only “pragmatism and compromise”, plus genuine engagement with the source countries, which can move us out of the current impasse.
July 16, 2012
Christopher Stone | 2Ser, Razor’s Edge, 14 July 2012
Chris was interviewed by James Jooste, alongside Dr John Uhr, Director of the Centre for the Study of Australian Politics at ANU, on the motivation, rationale and likely outcomes of current shifts toward greater private and community sector involvement in provision of public services, and simultaneous withdrawal of public sector funding and employment.
It’s the invisible part of government that always finds itself in hot water. State and Federal governments employ almost 2 million people providing services that are part of the framework of society. But while the glory of serving your nation may be satisfactory, job security is not. A recent investigation by media outlet Crikey.com says that over the past few years over 38 thousand jobs have been lost with 12 thousand planned cuts if the Coalition is elected next year. There is also increased competition from the Private sector with the NSW Government introducing private sector incentive to create a bigger society and smaller government. So what rights do public sector employees have under state and federal governments?
Access the podcast here
July 15, 2012
Miriam Lyons | Sydney Morning Herald 14 July 2012
Good policy ideas can be “toxic” to Australian politicians, such as decriminalisation of drug use and congestion charging in metropolitan areas, and the Green Party’s inheritance tax policy which although “clearly in the interests of 90% of Australians”, was nonetheless discarded last week.
Miriam’s opinion piece lays out the evidence for these policies, which while they remain beyond the pale for most politicians, enjoy overwhelming support from experts.
July 10, 2012
CPD Public Service Program | Recruiting a new Research Director
Applications close 5pm, 6 August
CPD’s Public Service Program combines big-picture thinking on the role of government in the 21st Century with practical research on options for public sector reform. The Public Service Research Director will need to conduct the majority of research within the program, ensure the quality and success of the program over the long term, and coordinate the development of the program’s policy agenda and publications.
The successful applicant will have strong research and communication skills, and be able combine a progressive vision for the future of Australia’s public services with an eye for detail and a knack for policy analysis. The Research Director will need to be reliable, resourceful, creative, and able to make things happen quickly and with minimal resources and supervision. This position gives you a chance to put great ideas at the heart of public debate in Australia.
Roles & responsibilities:
Conducting and coordinating the Public Service Program’s research
Conduct research and write high-quality, accessible reports
Coordinate research on the program’s core themes from CPD fellows and others – this may involve coordinating collaborative research projects, co-authoring some papers, editing and arranging peer review for research contributed by others
Promote the results of the Public Service Program’s research through the media, public forums and other forms of communication
Program management
Managing the resources, workflow and budget of the program
Reporting to the Executive Director, Board and funders on the program, research projects and project outcomes
Working with the CPD Executive Director to identify, cost and resource new research projects
Working with other CPD staff to develop and implement communication strategies for the program and its projects
Selection Criteria
Essential
A passion for fair, sustainable and democratic policy reform
Excellent research skills, preferably both qualitative and quantitative
Clear understanding of policy development and political processes
Relevant academic qualifications
Significant academic or professional public policy experience
Program and project management skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Attention to detail and ability to work independently
Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to establish and maintain good relationships with funders and stakeholders; and to work with and ensure the quality of contributions by other researchers
Ability to coordinate research projects involving multiple contributors
Ability to manage research assistants and volunteers
Desirable
Significant public service experience
Qualifications and/or experience in economic analysis
Strong public speaking and/or media experience
Familiarity with and aptitude for online collaboration and content management
Conditions
This is a part time position, for four days a week. Base salary is $73,200 pro rata. The position is based in Sydney. It is envisaged that the Public Service Program will run until late 2014, and that the Program Director will occupy the position for the duration of the program, with a 3 month probationary period.
How to apply for this job
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria to admin@cpd.org.au with the subject
“Public Service Research Director application”
We encourage you to include links to past research publications and examples of other writing in your cover letter. We also encourage you to be as specific as possible about your quantitative and qualitative research skills and experience.
CPD is recruiting a new Research Director
CPD’s Public Service Program combines big-picture thinking on the role of government in the 21st Century with practical research on options for public sector reform. The Public Service Research Director will need to conduct the majority of research within the program, ensure the quality and success of the program over the long term, and coordinate the development of the program’s policy agenda and publications.
The successful applicant will have strong research and communication skills, and be able combine a progressive vision for the future of Australia’s public services with an eye for detail and a knack for policy analysis. The Research Director will need to be reliable, resourceful, creative, and able to make things happen quickly and with minimal resources and supervision. This position gives you a chance to put great ideas at the heart of public debate in Australia.
Roles & responsibilities:
Conducting and coordinating the Public Service Program’s research
Conduct research and write high-quality, accessible reports
Coordinate research on the program’s core themes from CPD fellows and others – this may involve coordinating collaborative research projects, co-authoring some papers, editing and arranging peer review for research contributed by others
Promote the results of the Public Service Program’s research through the media, public forums and other forms of communication
Program management
Managing the resources, workflow and budget of the program
Reporting to the Executive Director, Board and funders on the program, research projects and project outcomes
Working with the CPD Executive Director to identify, cost and resource new research projects
Working with other CPD staff to develop and implement communication strategies for the program and its projects
Selection Criteria
Essential
A passion for fair, sustainable and democratic policy reform
Excellent research skills, preferably both qualitative and quantitative
Clear understanding of policy development and political processes
Relevant academic qualifications
Significant academic or professional public policy experience
Program and project management skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Attention to detail and ability to work independently
Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to establish and maintain good relationships with funders and stakeholders; and to work with and ensure the quality of contributions by other researchers
Ability to coordinate research projects involving multiple contributors
Ability to manage research assistants and volunteers
Desirable
Significant public service experience
Qualifications and/or experience in economic analysis
Strong public speaking and/or media experience
Familiarity with and aptitude for online collaboration and content management
Conditions
This is a part time position, for four days a week. Base salary is $73,200 pro rata. The position is based in Sydney. It is envisaged that the Public Service Program will run until late 2014, and that the Program Director will occupy the position for the duration of the program, subject to performance.
How to apply for this job
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria to admin@cpd.org.au with the subject
“Public Service Research Director application via EthicalJobs.com.au”
We encourage you to include links to past research publications and examples of other writing in your cover letter. We also encourage you to be as specific as possible about your quantitative and qualitative research skills and experience.
The Economist | Laying 22 economists end to end
Experts line up to challenge tax discontent
CPD Fellows have won us exposure in international publication, The Economist. No less than three articles about Australian tax policy in the respected magazine last week benefited from the expertise of John Quiggin (pictured) and Fred Argy.
The first one, published online, directly references and links to CPD:
The Economist, 6 July: Laying 22 economists end to end
The Economist, 7 July: Tithes of Discontent
The Economist, 7 July: Underland revenue
In principle a tax on rents should not distort miners’ behaviour, because it only grabs profits above what they require to keep doing what they’re doing. The idea is an old one, with broad application even in countries not blessed with the world’s largest reserves of profitably accessible brown coal or its second largest reserves of iron ore… With this in mind, 22 economists signed an open letter in May 2010 calling for a national tax on Australia’s resource rents, which would replace the production-based royalties charged by Australia’s states. The letter was organised by John Quiggin, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Development and the University of Queensland.
July 9, 2012
Chris Bonnor and Jane Caro | What makes a good school
Authors of The Stupid Country, Jane Caro and CPD Fellow Chris Bonnor collaborate on a new book addressing education in Australia
Launch date: Tuesday 31 July 2012
Venue: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Sydney NSW 2037
The new book, What makes a good school will be published by New South and available from 1 July. The book will make a “quiet debut” at a number of small occasions, but please find details and register for the main event at: http://www.gleebooks.com.au/default.asp?p=events/2012/jul/Event-In-Conversation-Jane-Caro-and-Chris-Bonnor-What-Makes-a-Good-School_htm
Jane and Chris will join Maralyn Parker from The Daily Telegraph in a conversation about the book and about schools. Maralyn is also author of My School: what every parent needs to know.
July 5, 2012
Talk.Think. Drink. Taking on a ‘Killer Company’: James Hardie
The Centre for Policy Development and Essential Media Communications presents: ‘Taking on a Killer Company’ : James Hardie
For decades a committed group of workers, unionists, lawyers and activists fought to uncover the deadly legacy of James Hardie’s asbestos products.
The cover-up became one of the biggest corporate scandals in Australian history.
Join us upstairs at The Civic Hotel July 24th at 6pm to hear award–winning journalist Matt Peacock ahead of the television dramatisation of his book Killer Company: James Hardie Exposed, Matt will be joined by AMWU National Secretary Paul Bastian to discuss the struggle for justice.
Where: The Civic Hotel, 388 Pitt Street, Sydney
When 6pm for 6.30pm – until 8pm, Tuesday 24th July
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