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  3. Reshaping Australian Institutions

The works published in this program are by scholars from the Australian National University and elsewhere who are researching and writing on the institutions of the nation. The scope of the series includes the institutions of public governance, inter-governmental relations, Aboriginal Australia, gender, population, the environment, the economy, business, the labor market, the welfare state, the city, education, the media, criminal justice and the constitution.

  • General Editors: Geoffrey Brennan, Francis G. Castles

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8 results in Reshaping Australian Institutions

Reviving the Fourth Estate
  • Democracy, Accountability and the Media
  • Julianne Schultz
  • Published online:
    27 October 2009
    Print publication:
    16 November 1998
  • The news media is traditionally the watchdog of democracy. Today, it is also one of the most pervasive global industries. In this lively and accessible book, Schultz systematically analyses the role of journalism in Australia and the scope of its democratic purpose. She examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The fourth estate remains the ideal of most journalists, but the reality has been impaired by the increasing concentration of media ownership and by political, ethical and occupational interests. While Australian journalism has become bolder and more investigative, increasing commercialism and decreasing ethical standards have left the public sceptical. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and poltical autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.

Unions in a Contrary World
  • The Future of the Australian Trade Union Movement
  • David Peetz
  • Published online:
    05 November 2011
    Print publication:
    09 November 1998
  • Australia once had extremely high levels of trade union participation, yet since the 1970s the number of union members has been falling dramatically. This book gives the clearest picture yet of why people do or do not belong to unions and, in a sophisticated way, examines the reasons for union decline. Uniquely, it considers both the macro and micro levels, looking at the structure of the economy and the labour market, the relations between unions and employees, the ideological dispositions people have towards unionism, the role of the state and the political and industrial strategies of unions. The author highlights the importance of structural and strategic changes in determining the direction of union membership. This book makes a major contribution to our understanding of union decline, and its implications, and presents a range of strategies for reversing this downturn.

Collaborative Federalism
  • Economic Reform in Australia in the 1990s
  • Martin Painter
  • Published online:
    08 January 2010
    Print publication:
    03 August 1998
  • This provocative 1998 study of federalism identifies a pattern of intergovernmental relations in Australia. Through his general discussion of the nature of the Australian federal system, and close analysis of recent developments in Australian politics and policy-making, Painter argues that our federal system is being fundamentally reshaped as state and commonwealth governments cooperate more closely than ever before on joint policy-making schemes. Much of this collaboration has been prompted by the need for microeconomic reform in the 1990s, and increasing concern about the degree of overlap, inefficiency and duplication across the federal system. The book includes a narrative account of the often fraught progress of the Special Premier's Conferences and the Council of Australian Governments. It also includes detailed discussion of a number of key examples.

Citizenship and Indigenous Australians
  • Changing Conceptions and Possibilities
  • Edited by Nicolas Peterson, Will Sanders
  • Published online:
    23 September 2009
    Print publication:
    28 June 1998
  • For most of Australia's colonial history Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have been denied full membership of Australian society. This book examines the history of indigenous peoples' citizenship status and asks, is it possible for indigenous Australians to be members of a common society on equal terms with others? Leading commentators from a range of disciplines examine historical conceptions of indigenous civil rights, consider issues arising from recent struggles for equality and consider possibilities for multicultural citizenship that recognise difference. Topics include self-determination, the 1967 referendum, resource development, whether Australian Aborigines and white Australians can belong, the international law context, and sovereignty. This book makes a crucial intervention in current debates by providing the context for understanding struggles over distinctive indigenous rights.

Living Feminism
  • The Impact of the Women's Movement on Three Generations of Australian Women
  • Chilla Bulbeck
  • Published online:
    20 May 2010
    Print publication:
    27 October 1997
  • In this rich, evocative and challenging 1997 book, Chilla Bulbeck examines the impact of feminism on ordinary Australian women. She argues that the impact of feminism on women's lives has been significant, even though many of the women whose lives have changed because of its influence shun the term 'feminist', or find feminism irrelevant. The lives of sixty women, whose own words and experiences make up most of this book, are set against broader changes in Australian society since the 1950s. These women reveal their attitudes to feminism, but the book's focus is on other aspects of their lives: growing up, education, work, marriage and divorce, motherhood and children, and sex and sexuality. Women of all ages, from various ethnic backgrounds, from cities and the country tell their stories. Partly a history of feminism, the book also unflinchingly considers whether feminism is only relevant to white, middle-class women.

Environmental Politics and Institutional Change
  • Elim Papadakis
  • Published online:
    18 December 2009
    Print publication:
    18 November 1996
  • Environmentalism is one of the major issues of our time. A key question is how responsive are Australian institutions to the challenges posed by environmental issues? This book focuses on how effectively political institutions and organisations are able to address concerns about the deterioration of the environment. The book considers the key players in environmental debate and policy-making: social movements, interest groups, political parties, the media, the parliaments and the bureaucracy. It contains much rich empirical material. This stimulating and original book makes an important contribution not only to environmental politics, but to the ways in which institutions can become more effective and responsive to social forces. It will be of interest not only to political scientists and sociologists, but to environmental activists and policy-makers themselves.

Australian Cities
  • Issues, Strategies and Policies for Urban Australia in the 1990s
  • Patrick Troy
  • Published online:
    03 May 2011
    Print publication:
    14 September 1995
  • The problems faced by urban Australia became more prevalent in the years prior to publication of this 1995 book. They sprang from the public cost of urban growth, the negative environmental impact of cities, the importance of global competitiveness, tensions between the three tiers of government and declining standards of living in our cities. This book, written by a team of leading authors, offers an exploration of key issues in the debates about our cities. Incisive and up-to-date, it will be an important contribution to discussion about urban planning and policy. Edited by Patrick Troy, Professor of Urban Research at the Australian National University, Australian Cities describes the options and limitations of Australian urban planning practice. It will be read by students and academics in urban studies, political science, sociology, town planning and public policy as well as policy-makers and professionals.

A Federal Republic
  • Australia's Constitutional System of Government
  • Brian Galligan
  • Published online:
    05 November 2011
    Print publication:
    01 January 1995
  • This provocative book, first published in 1995, argues that Australia is already a federal republic rather than a constitutional monarchy. It argues that by adopting a federal constitution in 1901 Australians ensured their status as a sovereign people. While the book does not deny the parliamentary and monarchic elements of the Australian system, it calls for a positive reassessment of the Constitution. Brian Galligan forcefully argues that the Australian Constitution has primacy over the other political institutions of the nation. The book considers fundamental issues that arise in discussion of the Constitution and federalism, including the role of the Senate, the possibility of a bill of rights, the way the High Court fits into the current system and the nature of governmental relations. This book will overturn the orthodoxies of much informed opinion and will challenge republicans and monarchists alike. Brian Galligan's unique perspective as a political scientist throws light on many aspects of federalism and will stimulate wide debate.