Edited by the Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology

New Research

Living on the edge: social and emotional wellbeing risk and protective factors for serious psychological distress among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

04 March 2010This paper has been prepared to generate discussion around the determinants of Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing.
A stronger, fairer Australia

A stronger, fairer Australia

19 February 2010Launched on 28 January 2010, A Stronger, Fairer Australia sets out the Australian Government’s vision and strategy for social inclusion, now and into the future.

Politics is a messyanic business

08 February 2010The practice of western democratic politics relies heavily on competing faiths, on card-carrying followers, and yearns cyclically for a messiah to lead its true believers.

The impact of racism upon the health and wellbeing of young Australians 2009

01 February 2010This report explores the attitudes of Australian youth in relation to key issues in contemporary race relations, such as cultural diversity, tolerance and privilege.
Behind the moral curtain: the politics of a charter of rights

Behind the moral curtain: the politics of a charter of rights

28 January 2010This report argues that the impact of a charter of rights would be determined by the political game and would hinder, not improve, Australian democracy.
More...

Community

The Brotherhood's social barometer: living the second fifty years

09 March 2010The fourth Social Barometer examines the extent of disadvantage among older Australians through indicators of people’s capabilities covering eight key dimensions of life, including employment, income, health, housing, safety and social participation.

Demography as destiny: Schooling, work and Aboriginal population change at Wadeye

05 March 2010Recent Commonwealth Treasury intergenerational reports have failed to consider the very different challenges that arise for the Indigenous population as a consequence of demographic ageing.

Power, culture, economy: Indigenous Australians and mining

02 March 2010While mining developments in regional and remote Australia may be the major­ contributors to local economic development, Indigenous communities have gained only limited long-term economic benefits from mining activity.

Welfare

A national quality framework to support quality services for people experiencing homelessness

A national quality framework to support quality services for people experiencing homelessness

01 March 2010This discussion paper is part of consultations to develop a national quality framework (NQF) that will maximise the outcomes and life opportunities for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Commentary

Silence

27 February 2010In this essay, first published in The Age, Maria Turmarkin explores what being silent or saying something actually means.

Charter of rights as urgent as ever

23 February 2010A human rights act should remain a priority for the federal government, argues Susan Ryan

Identity politics

20 January 2010Attacks on Christian churches in Malaysia tell us more about shifting political faultlines than about religious attitudes, writes Amrita Malhi in Inside Story
More...

Audio

Malaysia: tolerant reputation, troubled reality

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19 February 2010The recent vandalisation of a string of Christian churches in Malaysia has, again, focussed attention on the challenges of communal politics in modern Malaysia.

The protection of human rights in Australia - a way forward

Listen to audio
27 November 2009In this lecture Ms Kostakidis discusses the themes that emerged from the 40,000 responses that were received during the consultation into the adequacy of the protection of human rights in Australia.

Immigration & refugees

Stronger, simpler, smarter ESOS: supporting international students

Stronger, simpler, smarter ESOS: supporting international students

09 March 2010This final report of the Baird review of the legislation that governs international education in Australia makes a series of recommendations for reform.

Reforming the global order

05 March 2010Despite the many reasons to be pessimistic about the current world situation there are some distinguished optimists out there, with concrete plans for change for the better.

Video

Racism in Australia. Reynolds, Hirst, Brett and Hage

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02 November 2009This stellar line-up addresses, amongst many other things, the recent re-emergence of the 'boat people' issue; the Cronulla riots; the history of racism in Australia; and its legacy in the form of contemporary indigenous disadvantage.

Losing my religion

Listen to audio
08 October 2009 In a multi-cultural, secular society, what is it about religion that still fascinates?

Families & households

Turning 18: pathways and plans

Turning 18: pathways and plans

09 March 2010The longitudinal Life Chances Study has followed some 140 young people from diverse backgrounds since they were infants. This report documents the altest stage of the project.

From the margins to the mainstream: the challenges for microfinance in Australia

09 March 2010This report on research undertaken by the Brotherhood and Community Foresters Finance draws on the literature and stakeholder consultation to explore microfinance in Australia, highlighting the need to achieve sustainability, scale up successful pilot programs and measure impact on financial exclusion.

Websites

Human Rights Act myth busters

02 March 2010Monash University's Castan Centre 'myth-busters' address claims made during the spirited debate following the 2009 National Human Rights Consultation Committee report recommending the adoption of an Australian Human Rights Act.

Institute for Cultural Diversity

12 October 2009The Institute for Cultural Diversity is a not-for-profit company and provides a meeting place to discuss, debate, learn and partner with other Australians interested in building an inclusive and diverse society.

Diversity@Work

24 August 2009Diversity@Work is a consultancy service, with resources and training for organisations engaged in strategic diversity management, workforce planning and cultural transformation.

Most viewed: This week

1
Framework for measuring wellbeing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 2010
2
Stronger, simpler, smarter ESOS: supporting international students
3
Turning 18: pathways and plans
4
The Brotherhood's social barometer: living the second fifty years
5
Do employers discriminate by gender? A field experiment in female-dominated occupations

Jobs

Events

Delivering Policy Masterclass: Led by Prof Scott Prasser
18 Mar 2010 - 9:00am - 30 Mar 2010 - 5:30pm
Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne
Seminar
Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change - Australian book launch, talk, Q&A
24 Mar 2010
Sydney
Conference
Arts-Activated Conference
25 Mar 2010 - 26 Mar 2010
Sydney

Books

Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

  • Edited by Scott Poynting and George Morgan
  • ACYS Publishing
In this detailed examination of case studies, a distinguished group of experts demystifies the social processes of moral panic in Australia.
Racial Folly: A twentieth-century Aboriginal family

Racial Folly: A twentieth-century Aboriginal family

  • Gordon Briscoe
  • ANU E Press
A memoir and history of an Aboriginal family living under the race laws, practices and policies of Australia in the twentieth century.

Noticeboard

Policy Guides

Arts for all: opening doors to people with a disability

This guide provides practical and long-term ways for artists and arts organisations to enhance their access, market their events to the disabled community and build new audiences.

15-02-10

Topics

APO