The problems faced by urban Australia have become more prevalent in recent years. They spring 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 a fresh exploration of key issues in the debates about cities. Incisive and up-to-date, it will be an important contribution to discussion about urban planning and policy.

This book evaluates the role and performance of the Australian parliament. It explores its institutional design and its principles and practices, presenting a compelling case for reform. Uhr looks at the place of representative assemblies in liberal political theory and examines ways in which deliberative democracy might be made more effective and meaningful in Australia. Combining political theory with first-hand knowledge of the Australian parliament, the author makes an important contribution to debates in Australia and internationally.

For most of Australia's colonial history its indigenous people have been denied full membership in Australian society. This book examines the history of their citizenship status and asks whether it is 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 recognize difference.

This lively and accessible book analyzes the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose. Schultz examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The ideal of the fourth estate has been impaired by concentrated media ownership and by commercial, political, ethical and occupational interests. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and political autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.

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 macro and micro levels, looking at the structure of the economy and the labor market, the ideological dispositions people have toward unionism, the role of the state and the political and industrial strategies of unions.

This important interdisciplinary volume explores feminist approaches to institutional design and reshaping. It looks at the scope for ensuring that Australian institutions acknowledge gender difference and deliver more equitable outcomes. It shows how gendered regulatory norms underpin and intersect with all other institutional settings. The leading team of writers discusses topics including: institutions, embodiment and sexual difference; the welfare state; housing policy; household work; republicanism and citizenship; and gender-based discrimination.

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 macro and micro levels, looking at the structure of the economy and the labor market, the ideological dispositions people have toward unionism, the role of the state and the political and industrial strategies of unions.

The demands placed on western governments have increased exponentially over the years, but the fundamental structure of most of these governments - the two party system - has not. Governments are not only required to be competitive in the global economy, but the societies they represent have changed, becoming culturally and ethnically diverse. Ian Marsh's challenging book suggests that the two party regime cannot accommodate these changing needs. It outlines the ways in which politics might change to meet these new demands and achieve genuine participatory democracy. The book explores the...