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The article presents information on fossils which reveals that a 50-kilogram kangaroo that lived thousands of years ago in Australia spent most of the time in trees, according to a research paper published in an issue of the "Royal Society Open Science".

The article focuses on the debate of considering psychology as a senior course in the New South Wales (NSW) Science Curriculum. Topics discussed include benefits of psychology include sociocultural and political factors that lead to solving social problems, need for tomorrow's schools to help students to think for themselves and join others, with empathy, in work and citizenship, and Gonski 2.0 paper which laid down the priorities for the future of Australian education.

Land administration and land use planning in Australia are public functions. Each State and Territory has its own unique laws for administering land tenures and regulating the use and enjoyment of land for present and future generations. The extent to which planning systems around Australia take account of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests is woefully inadequate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are continuing to assert their ongoing presence, connection to and responsibilities for their traditional country. It is inherent in their culture and an integral part of who they are and their wellbeing for present and future generations. The problem is, these realities have barely penetrated the conventional planning systems in Australia.3 However, two significant developments occurred in 2016 that are likely to have longer term implications for integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests in conventional land use planning. Firstly, the Queensland Parliament passed a new planning statute which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition as being an integral part of advancing the purpose of the Act. Secondly, the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) amended its education accreditation policy to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledges as an integral Supporting Knowledge Area for the recognition of Australian planning qualifications. This paper explores what these developments mean for land use planning and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the August 2015, September 2015 and October 2015 issues of the periodical "Institute of Public Affairs Review."

The article focuses on the association of employee loyalty and wage growth. It pays attention to a research paper by Nathan Deutscher, a Treasury official in Australia, which found that higher rates of job-hopping in local Australian labour markets were associated with faster wage growth both for workers who switched jobs.

The article reports on the "Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020" discussion paper. The paper warns the life expectancy of children in Australia today could be cut by two years if current levels of obesity continue. The discussion paper reports around 32% of the nation's illness is caused by tobacco, obesity, harmful and high use of alcohol, physical inactivity, poor diet and associated risk factors of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

The article focuses on papers and events related to the Social Foundations Program of the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS), an Australian public policy research institute, in 2014. Several papers on health and child protection were published by CIS Research Fellow Doctor Jeremy Sammut. Topics discussed include family and welfare policy, cost of childcare, and school funding. Also mentioned are various issues, such as federalism, teacher education, and school autonomy.

The article reports on the White Paper released by Australian federal government which outlines a carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS). It states that the government's proposed 5% cut in total emissions was based on a comparison of the country's projected per capita emissions cut, with Europe's target of a 20% cut in emissions by 2020. However, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announces that the 5% below 2000 levels is minimum and unconditional commitment to reduce emissions by 2020.

Australian governments have purchased large volumes of water from irrigators to decrease the amount of water diverted for agriculture to improve the health of the Murray River. Irrigation entitlements 'bought back' are managed by government agencies and are broadly described as 'environmental water'. The water reform process, the volume of water bought back from irrigators and the objectives and application of environmental water are all contested by irrigators and local communities. This paper provides the first examination of the social acceptability of environmental water in Australia with a case study of Gunbower Island on the Murray River using a survey of local stakeholders. Most respondents visited Gunbower Island regularly, placed a high value on the island and were committed to maintaining the health of the island. Nevertheless, respondents were more likely to exhibit unfavourable judgements about environmental water. Positive judgements were associated with pro-environmental values, belief in the benefits of environmental water and higher levels of trust in the managing agency. Findings provide insights about how the key agency can improve the social acceptability of environmental water in Gunbower Island, including a greater focus on on-ground work as an opportunity to engage local people in learning and action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on strange species of humans. Some 13,000 years ago, on a tropical island at the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, an extraordinary group of dwarf-sized people lived alongside dwarf elephants and giant lizards. In two papers in Nature, a team of researchers from Australia and Indonesia detail the discovery of Homo floresiensis. As there is no evidence the island was ever linked by land to other parts of south-east Asia, the ancestors of H .floresiensis might have used boats or rafts to reach it. It could not have contained a brain any bigger than a grapefruit similar in size to a small chimpanzee's brain which raises the conundrum of how such a minuscule brain was capable of the sophisticated behaviour suggested by the discovery of tools and animal remains nearby. INSET: ANATOMY OF HOMO FLORESIENSIS.

Looks at a range of countries with plans to turn the idea of zero waste into reality for plastics. Aim of Taiwan with its ban on in-store distribution of plastic bags and eating utensils; Inspiration of the plastic bag ban plans of England; Target reduction in plastic bag usage in Australia.

This paper reviews water policy responses to drought in Australia, focusing on the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) during the two decades from 1997. This period, which includes the decade long Millennium drought, brought a much sharper focus to discussions of scarcity and value of water. The drought initially focused attention on rising salinity and environmental water availability, as action on both was supported by strong science, and resonated politically. The drought became a crisis in 2006. Short-term planning focused on ensuring communities did not run out of water. For the longer term, the national government responded by announcing a major package of reform measures addressing sustainability and underlying scarcity, and recognising climate change. The package strengthened MDB water market infrastructure, upgraded water resource planning and the ability of irrigators to manage their water assets more flexibly, established new sustainable diversion limits and provided funding to ensure the environment received a larger share of basin water resources. But its completeness as a package can be attributed not only to the severity of drought, but also to political leadership, a disrupting strategy in the form of national legislation and a strong national budget that provided financial resources. The drought provided a crisis, but other ingredients were necessary to ensure effective action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the field work assessment done in the Northern Australia after the Federal Government released its White Paper on Developing Northern Australia: Our North, Our Future, in September 2015, outlining plans for economic developments. Topics include views of CSIRO land resources information officer Seonaid Philip about the work done, testing of soil samples such as red basalt and alluvial soils, and groundwater field work conducted across the catchments.

Australia's legal relationship with religious institutions and their corporate enterprises is one of mixed blessings. The High Court unanimously affirmed in Scientology that despite no evidence for the supernatural, there should be no legal impediment to religious leaders obtaining 'the financial and other privileges which come with religious status', even suggesting 'charlatanism is a necessary price of religious freedom'. But is the price too high? Religious trade -- the art of converting public worship into private wealth -- has become a billion-dollar secret cottage industry, falling between the gaps of charitable and corporate legal governance. To achieve greater equity and accountability regarding religious charities and especially their trading entciprises compared to the rest of the corporate and charitable sector, this paper prosecutes the need for a suite of simple blit audacious governance reforms. These legislative reforms establish a nexus between s 116 Religious Freedom and s 51 (xx) constitutional trading corporations as intended by the Australian Constitution and now afforded in the Work Choices ruling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on blue marine economy of Australia. Topics discussed include the book "Rethinking the Oceans: Towards the Blue Economy" of James Alix Michel on climate change, contribution of business turnover of marine industries in the Australian economy and the paper "Marine Nation 2025: Marine Science to Support Australia' s Blue Economy" on development and sustainability related challenges in marine estate such as food security and sovereignty.

The article discusses the important roles of nurse practitioners in the Australian healthcare system along with current and future challenges with the profession. Topics include reference to data on number of endorsed nurse practitioners from the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, previous acute clinical nurse position of NP candidate Georgiw Waugh as well as ACNP's position paper "Responsive Patient Centred Care: The Economic Value and Potential of Nurse Practitioners in Australia."

Presents a guide to ICI Australia's curriculum issue papers for teachers of VCE Australian studies units 1, 2, 3, and 4. Topics; Summary; Areas of study.

Reports on developments on the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Australia. Recommendations contained in a research paper from the Queensland Law Reform Commission; Contents of report on FGM prepared by the Family Law Council of Australia; Opinion of obstetrician and gynecologist Caroline de Costa on the rarity of FGM in Australia.

This paper is concerned with the question of whether Australia would be better served by the inclusion of an entrenched Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia. In particular, attention will focus on the abuses of minorities that are all but certain to arise in any society that is based on majoritarian rule. This paper will also examine the question of whether an entrenched Bill of Rights would serve as an effective safeguard against such abuses, especially where the rights of unpopular minorities are involved. The analysis to follow is undertaken against the backdrop of the efficacy, or the lack thereof, of the Constitution of the United States in preventing such abuses, and particularly that portion of the American Constitution that is known as the Bill of Rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay on the role of the broadsheet "Australian" in the molding of the Australian nation is presented. It focuses on the broadsheet, created by Rupert Murdoch, which has made an influence on various issues such as climate change and the demise of the Labor-Greens alliance. It is said that the broadsheet led by Chris Mitchell stands as an ideological paper that advocates economic neoliberalism and neoconservatism in foreign policy. It adds that the broadsheet also serves as a campaign paper.

The high attrition rates of novice teachers during the beginning phase of their career is a concern throughout the Western world. There is, therefore, a need to investigate factors that contribute to novice teachers leaving the profession within the first five years. To date, extensive research has concentrated on the process of teacher induction, focusing mainly on the importance of effective mentorship and professional development programs for novice teachers. Few studies have examined the resilience of novice teachers during their early years, including those working in the middle years. This paper offers suggestions on how to fill this void. It investigates the notion of the need to develop resilience to increase the effectiveness, job-satisfaction and retention rate of newly qualified teaching graduates. The paper argues that novice teachers can be taught, and that a working knowledge of how to use effective resilience skills may well be used productively in order to work towards counteracting the high rates of attrition from the teaching profession. This is particularly important for teachers in the middle years, where stressors associated with working in these challenging years are argued to be greater than in later years of teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents questions and answers related to an Australian government-funded open science project in chemistry including the ways to publish open science papers, licenses required to publish a paper and securing a funding for a project.

Several catchment-based water planning processes are currently underway in Australia, with the Water Reform Agreement of 1994 providing the legislative umbrella. This paper presents the results of a case study conducted in the joint catchment of the Diamantina and Georgina rivers, located in the remote central-west part of the state of Queensland. The paper investigates the new water planning processes from the perspective of the design principles for the robust institutions, while taking into account the specifics of the social and ecological environment they will need to operate in. The analysis uses both the actual plans as well as stakeholders' perceptions of the planning process. The analysis found that four of the design principles for robust institutions: clearly defined boundaries, collective choice arrangements, gradual sanctioning and nested enterprises; were well covered in the planning process. However, the principles of: equivalence between costs and benefits; conflict resolution mechanisms; recognition of right to organise; and monitoring; were not clearly or sufficiently addressed in the Plans and have resulted in significant concerns by stakeholders interviewed. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for other water planning processes located in remote and desert regions in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the need for adopting a more scientific approach to specifying and assessing academic standards in higher education. Drawing together insights from large-scale studies in Australia, it advances a definition of academic standards, explores potential indicators of academic quality and looks at approaches for setting standards. As learner outcomes need to be placed at the forefront of work on academic standards, this paper concludes by exploring the implications of this position for student assessment and institutional change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article traces the history of chemical publications in Australia. Released between 1841 and 1849, the "Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science" was noted by the Transactions of the Tasmanian Society of Natural History as the first scientific periodical in the country. Polish explorer Paul Edmund de Strzelecki produced three papers, two in 1842 and one in 1846. One of his publications was titled "On Certain Varieties of Australian Coal." His works were the only papers related to chemistry published in the "Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science."

Within weeks of taking office, Australia's new Labor government commissioned two major reviews -- one of Australia's innovation system and one of Australian higher education. Taken together, these reviews will have major implications for the future of research and teaching in Australia for decades to come. This paper discusses the main recommendations of these reviews, puts them into context and examines the government's response. Although the innovation review was conducted first, this paper begins with the higher education review because its recommendations, at least in regard to universities, are broader. Those parts of the innovation review that are relevant to universities follow. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of what will happen next. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper forecasts conditional correlations between three classes of international financial assets, namely stock, bond and foreign exchange. Two countries are considered, namely Australia and New Zealand. Forecasting will be conducted using three multivariate GARCH models, namely the CCC model [T. Bollerslev, Modelling the coherence in short-run nominal exchange rates: a multivariate generalized ARCH model, Rev. Econ. Stat. 72 (1990) 498–505], VARMA-GARCH model [S. Ling, M. McAleer, Asymptotic theory for a vector ARMA-GARCH model, Econometric Theory 19 (2003) 280–310], and VARMA-AGARCH model [M. McAleer, S. Hoti, F. Chan, Structure and asymptotic theory for multivariate asymmetric volatility, Econometric Rev., in press]. A rolling window technique is used to forecast 1-day ahead conditional correlations. To evaluate the impact of model specification on conditional correlations forecasts, this paper calculates and compares the correlations between conditional correlations forecasts resulted from the three models. The paper finds the evidence of volatility spillovers and asymmetric effect of negative and positive shock on the conditional variance in most pairs of series. However, it suggests that incorporating volatility spillovers and asymmetric do not contribute to better conditional correlations forecasts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Measures of student learning are playing an increasingly significant role in determining the quality and productivity of higher education. This paper evaluates approaches for estimating the value added by university education, and proposes a methodology for use by institutions and systems. The paper argues that value-added measures of learning are important for quality assurance in contemporary higher education. It reviews recent large-scale developments in Australia, methodological considerations pertaining to the measurement and evaluation of student learning, and instruments validated to measure students' capability, generic skills, specific competencies, work readiness and student engagement. Four approaches to calculating value-added measures are reviewed. The first approach computes value-added estimates by comparing predicted against actual performance using data from entrance tests and routine course assessments. In the second approach, comparisons are made between outcomes from objective assessments administered to cohorts in the first and later years of study. Comparisons of first-year and later-year students' engagement in key learning activities offer a third and complementary means of assessing the value added by university study. Feedback on graduate skills provided by employers is a fourth approach which gives an independent perspective on the quality of education. Reviewing these four approaches provides a basis for their synthesis into a robust and potentially scalable methodology for measuring the value added by higher education. This methodology is advanced, along with its implications for instrumentation, sampling, analysis and reporting. Case studies are presented to illustrate the methodology's potential for informing comparative analyses of the performance of higher education systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the development and application of a model used to estimate the costs of scholarly communication (i.e. scholarly publishing and related activities) in Australian higher education. A systems perspective was used to frame a review of the literature on the costs involved in the entire scholarly communication value chain and inform the development of a scholarly communication system cost model This paper presents estimated scholarly communication costs for higher education institutions in Australia, based upon the modelling, local data collections and stakeholder consultation, that may prove useful in the management of institutional budgets and priorities. It represents the first systematic attempt to estimate the costs of scholarly publishing related activities in Australia, and it could be easily applied elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article criticizes the discussion paper written by Andrew Robb, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Australia. This paper provides a consideration of the merits of introducing a formal citizenship test. The author asserts that this paper is worthless and does not contain most of the basic issues involved.

The article discusses the 2006 Australian National Media Education conference and its theme "Emerging realities for youth, media, and education." The aim of the conference was to discuss the role media education plays in the curriculum, when there are drastic changes in the nature of media, and ways youth are using media. Anita Jetnikoff's article "Square-eyed Kids are not One-Eyed: Media Education in Australia," is also discussed.

This paper examines the issue of the generation of optimal control policies where there are explicit constraints upon the control values and there is limited knowledge of the complex economic system. The paper develops a methodology where the constrained optimal control is based upon a separate model that predicts the policy targets for the economic system. The methodology as applied to a small calibrated macroeconomic model of Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In June 1999 the Australian Government signalled, with the publication of a Green Paper, its intention to reform research and the training of research students in universities. After a period of public and institutional comment and debate, the reforms eventuated and the new policies result in performance based funding for research and research training, which is separated from the base of funding of coursework teaching. The new funding mechanisms can shift core government research resources across universities. Within universities, funding inputs from government need to be directed internally to research-active areas with large numbers of research students and substantial external grants, which contribute most strongly to the performance indicators that bring in the funding. This train of funding from government through to internal resource allocation can be modelled and the results imply potentially permanent changes in the character of universities, by changing the way academic work is funded and accounted for. Funding models can leave teaching-active sections, if they have few research students and little external grant funding, without the means to support even basic levels of research and scholarship. This threatens the standard and nature of university teaching, which by its nature should take place within a culture of sustained scholarship and creation of new knowledge through research. The paper discusses these issues, in the context of models for funding of research, and the responses by university managers and grass-roots academics to the challenges of adapting to the new policy and funding framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian government's medium-term fiscal strategy is an integral part of a credible macroeconomic framework that creates an environment in which the economy can deliver sustainable economic growth, rising employment and higher living standards. The primary objective of the government's medium-term fiscal strategy is to maintain budget balance, on average, over the course of the economic cycle. The primary fiscal objective of budget balance over the cycle ensures that the government is not living beyond its means.

Discusses the measures in Australia that would reduce the burden of paperwork in aged care. Implication of unnecessary documentation in residential aged care; Reaction of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe on the move; Actions that the ANF also supports.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses papers within the issue, including the growth in free societies in Australia, a geopolitical framework to examine the relationship between Australia and China, and a reflection on the changes in Australia.

The article focuses on a paper published today in the periodical "Nature" in 2015 which shows that Australians can be sustainable without sacrificing lifestyle or economy. Topics include economic growth and environmental impacts can be decoupled in the right circumstances, and key environmental indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, water stress, and native habitat and biodiversity are projected to more than double, stabilise, or fall across different scenarios to 2050.

The article discusses the growth in the phytochemical studies of plants in Australia, since the Second World War, with an aim of finding new drugs. It states that chemists got actively involved in identifying plant species, however only research papers were being published. It is noted that the database includes plant families, genera, structural formula, molecular formula, accurate mass and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number.

Reports that federal and state governments in Australia are attempting to close some of the region's university student newspapers. Bill in Victoria and Western Australia to prevent money raised from compulsory student fees being used for university newspapers; Formation of a Student Newspaper Alliance to oppose the bills; Closure of `Lot's Wife.'

Reports that a General Insurance Code of Practice is to come into force in Australia from July 1995. Details of the code; Reaction of the Consumers' Association of Australia to the code.

The article presents a reprint of the article "Farming carbon can be a win for wildlife, if the price is right" which appeared in the April 2016 issue of "The Conversation." Topics discussed include according to a paper of the periodical, suitability of natural regeneration for restoring agricultural landscapes forest in Australia, need of identification of growing forests for carbon and biodiversity; and need of less price of carbon for ecosystem.

An excerpt from the article "Managing top predators: culling brings its own set of problems," by Michele Sabto on the website http://www.ecosmagazine.com/?paper=EC14260 in the November 5, 2015 is presented which discusses the management of top predators in Australia such as dingoes, great white sharks, and saltwater crocodiles.

The article reflects on the evolution of the Australian Defence Policy as well as the challenges it faces in the future. Topics discussed include Forward Defence policy, Australia New Zealand and United States (ANZUS) and South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The 1994 Defence White Paper on Australia's defence policy, and change in the policy after the September 11, 2001 attack are also discussed.

Our high-quality research publications form a crucial part of the foundation of the CIS's public profile and endeavours to promulgate policy proposals. During 2016, CIS published 14 Research Reports, four Submissions, 10 Occasional Papers, eight Event Publications, and four editions of the CIS quarterly journal, Policy, focusing on new ideas, debates and opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview is presented with the Austrian artist Heimo Zobernig. Topics addressed include: his use of mannequins in some of his works, such as in his video piece "No. 19," his use of tape in the creation of his grid paintings, and three ongoing exhibitions of his work being shown at the Mudam gallery in Luxembourg, the Petzel Gallery in New York City and the Nicolas Krupp Contemporary Art gallery in Basel, Switzerland.

An excerpt from the article "Much loss and an uncertain future for Australia's unique mammals," by John Woinarski, Andrew Burbidge and Peter Harrison in the website located at http://www.ecosmagazine.com/?paper=EC14122 on June 10, 2014 is presented which focuses on the loss and conservation of Australia's mammal fauna.

The article discusses a proposed alteration of the Australian Constitution to recognise the Aboriginal people and reflects on the legal, social and political implications. Topics include an article by professor George Williams on a constitutional amendment in 1967, the Constitutional Convention of 1998, and Sir Harry Gibbs' paper entitled "A Preamble: The Issues." Also provided is information on the threat posed by the proposal to the common citizenship of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

An excerpt from the discussion paper "The Changing PhD" by Group of Eight, a coalition of tertiary institutions in Australia, is presented.

The article explores media education in Australia. It mentions the origins of media education in Victoria and examines the condition of media education in Victorian secondary schools. It also mentions the addition of media in the country's arts curriculum at a national level as well as highlights the 2006 paper reference entitled "The Go- Between."

As online traders have been poor at developing consumer trust in e-commerce, the law plays a crucial role in creating such trust. At the start of 2010, we published a paper outlining a model to serve as an international best practice standard for the protection of e-comm erce consumers. In this article, which was written with the assistance of a generous grant from the auDA Foundation, we have applied that best practice standard to assess how effectively protected Australian e-consumers are under Australia's recently reformed consumer law landscape. We focus on two areas of central importance to the effective protection of e-consumers in which Australian law fails to provide adequate protection. First, the law must ensure that consumers are afforded access to appropriate information. Second, it is of fundamental importance that the law caters for access to appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]