Action In Australia Research Articles

Gender diversity and research productivity in accounting and finance at Australian and New Zealand HEIs

ABSTRACT This study has two main objectives. First, it refreshes investigations into research productivity within the accounting and finance domains across Australian and New Zealand higher education institutions from 2011 to 2022. Second, it reflects on affirmative action in Australia, arguing that its impact on women's experiences should extend beyond mere numerical measures. Analysing 48 top journals reveals a steady increase in research output with notable contributions from the University of New South Wales, Monash University, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Queensland. Authors with five or more publications rank in the top 5%, highlighting the difficulty of achieving prolific publishing. Significantly, gender diversity improved, with female authorship rising from 19.27% to 31.73%, indicating a shift towards more inclusive research environments. However, a persistent gender gap among highly published authors suggests ongoing challenges. The study also examines job mobility among top contributors, offering insights into career progression within the academic community. Overall, the findings provide new insights into research productivity, the impact of affirmative action on gender diversity, and career mobility within the academic field of accounting and finance..

Unambiguous evidence that over half of gambling problems in Australia are caused by electronic gambling machines: Results from a large-scale composite population study.

It is well understood that engagement with some forms of gambling, like EGMs, is riskier than other forms. However, while reports of associations are common, few studies have attempted to evaluate and compare the relative risk of all available forms, and none have estimated the relative contribution of each form to the total burden of gambling problems (GP) in a population. Using an aggregated dataset of national and state-based prevalence studies in Australia (N=71,103), we estimated prevalence and unique effects of frequency of engagement on each form on GP. Two alternative numerical methods were then applied to infer the relative contribution of each form to the total amount of GP. EGMs are responsible for 51%-57% of gambling problems in Australia, and 90% of gambling problems are attributable to EGMs, casino, race, and sports betting. Casino table games and EGMs are equally risky at the individual level, but the former contribute far less to problems due to low participation. Bingo and lottery play show no statistically detectable risk for GP. The results illustrate which forms present the greatest population burden and illuminate the reasons why. EGMs have an outsized impact. EGM uniquely combines high risk conditional on play, with a high participation rate and a high frequency of play among participants. This is in contrast to risky but less commonly played casino games, and prevalent but non-risky forms like lotteries. We conclude that EGM regulation should be a primary focus of policy action in Australia. More innovative policy ideas relating to EGMs should be tested due to the disproportionate impact of this product type.

Pathways to coexistence with dingoes across Australian farming landscapes

IntroductionAgriculture and biodiversity conservation are both vitally important human activities that overlap geographically and are often in conflict. Animal agriculture has been implicated in species loss and the degradation of ecosystems due to land clearing, overgrazing, and conflicts with large carnivores such as dingoes (Canis dingo). This paper explores the potential for transformation in Australian commercial livestock production from human-dingo conflict towards social-ecological coexistence.MethodA qualitative model that depicts transformative change was developed from field observations and twenty-one in-depth interviews with livestock producers, conservation researchers, grazing industry representatives and policy makers across Australia. The model articulates the current state of dingo management and the drivers of system change.ResultsSeven pathways are described to catalyse transformation from routine lethal management of dingoes towards a future vision that embeds mutually beneficial coexistence. Central to transformation is the adoption by livestock producers of preventive non-lethal innovations supported by a new farming movement, Predator Smart Farming, that balances livestock grazing and wildlife conservation values to unlock the resilience of landscapes, animals (domesticated and wild) and livelihoods. Other key pathways include targeted research, capacity building, outreach and knowledge sharing networks; institutional (policy, legislation, and economic incentives) and cultural change; public awareness raising and advocacy to reduce lethal control; and greater involvement of Indigenous Australians in decisions relating to wildlife management.DiscussionThe seven transition pathways are discussed in relation to how they can collectively foster coexistence with dingoes in extensive rangelands grazing systems. International examples of interventions are used to illustrate the types of successful actions associated with each pathway that could inform action in Australia. The findings have implications for coexistence with large carnivores in rangeland ecosystems globally.

What can Aotearoa New Zealand learn from the Australian Sunsmart Story? A qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the views of stakeholders in Australia concerning skin cancer primary prevention and identify successful strategies used that may be translatable to other jurisdictions. MethodsIn‐depth stakeholder interviews with experts engaged in skin cancer prevention advocacy and action in Australia. ResultsA number of important facilitators were identified including: the use of good scientific evidence (including economic), strong leadership, legislation and strategic documents, engaging the media particularly with the use of personal stories and garnering public support. A number of barriers were also identified including: a lack of funding (particularly nationally), variation by state, apathy and the long latency of skin cancer. ConclusionsAdvocates identified a number of key strategies that were used to gain momentum in achieving Australia's comprehensive Sunsmart program. These included: strong leadership, legislation including that banning solaria and workplace health and safety legislation, a critical mass of key advocates from a range of disciplines including clinicians and patients, and the advantageous use of media to drive change. Implications for public healthAustralia demonstrates what can be achieved when skin cancer prevention is taken seriously. The challenge for other nations is to apply the lessons learnt in Australia to our own jurisdictions.

Connections between energy and ecological democracy: Considering the Climate Council as a case of climate action in Australia

Energy democracy and ecological democracy movements and thinking are attracting considerable academic attention in the social sciences. Both encompass climate change responses and institutions that include prefigurative politics and diverse strategies for achieving more sustainable futures. However, the academic literatures on ecological democracy and energy democracy do not frequently cross-pollinate. This article presents a case study of a climate action organisation in Australia, the Climate Council, that could be read as belonging to both energy democracy and ecological democracy movements. As a result, it demonstrates that energy democracy and ecological democracy share common ground. I suggest that social scientific research on energy governance could engage with the connections between energy democracy and ecological democracy to deepen our understanding of the contradictions and tensions that exist between prefiguration and hierarchical structures in these organisations. While energy democracy is a relatively new concept, academic work in this area should acknowledge and engage with earlier work on ecological democracy given the conceptual overlaps between both areas.

The politics of animal rights activism: A frame analysis of the 2019 national direct action

This article analyses news coverage of the 2019 animal rights direct action in Australia. A combination of frame and discourse analysis was applied to 39 news texts published between 1 April 2019 and 25 July 2019 across three news outlets – the ABC, Hobart’s Mercury and The Australian. Our analysis paid particular attention to the inclusion of sources, and we found that elite sources dominated the news coverage, resulting in a replication of the very power imbalance that the activists were struggling against. We also found that language choices resulted in the construction of the direct action as threatening, harmful and ‘un-Australian’. Our study shows that Australian news coverage of animal rights activism often marginalizes activist viewpoints, promoting a sense of division rather than diversity. While it is relatively easy for animal rights activists in Australia to gain mainstream news attention, these activists face powerful ideological barriers when attempting to raise awareness of their cause because the news media tends to obscure rather than open the pathway to a constructive public discussion on the issue of animal welfare.

Institutional Values in Judicial Review of Administrative Action: Re-Reading Attorney-General (NSW) V Quin

Owing to its focus on statutory interpretation, judicial review of administrative action in Australia has been perceived to be ‘formalist’, particularly when compared with review in comparable nations such as England. This led Michael Taggart to characterise review in Australia as ‘exceptionalist’. The judgment of Brennan J in Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin, in which Brennan J emphasised the importance of courts remaining away from ‘the merits’ of administrative decision-making while exercising the supervisory jurisdiction has become closely associated with the view that review in Australia is rigid and formalist. In this article, I re-evaluate the judgment of Brennan J and place it in the context of its facts and of its time. This helps to reveal that the approach to judicial review of administrative action set out by Brennan J in Quin should not be seen as formalist. Rather, both Brennan J’s approach and the contemporary ‘statutory approach’ to judicial review can be seen as informed by values connected with what are understood to be the appropriate functions of each institution of government found within the Australian political system.

Monitoring changes in community support for policies on obesity prevention

ObjectiveTo investigate the New South Wales (NSW) community's support for obesity prevention policies and concern for food marketing and promotion issues, and to determine any demographic differences or changes over time. MethodsIn 2013 (n=2474), 2016 (n=1602) and 2019 (n=1613) a sample of adults who were representative of the NSW population for age, gender, education and location was asked about support for policy initiatives that influence the food environment. Analysis identified the characteristics of those who supported policies and variation in support over time. ResultsThere were limited changes in support over time; however, support for many policies was strong and sustained. In 2019, support was highest for regulation of claims about nutrition (77.2%), and health warning labels (75.7%). Support for a ban on unhealthy food advertising that targets children (64.6%) had decreased since 2013. Women, older people and those who were aware that obesity was a risk factor for cancer were generally more likely to support policies. Parents were more likely than non‐parents to be concerned about positioning unhealthy food at supermarket checkouts (OR 1.32) and unhealthy outdoor advertisements (OR 1.22). Concern increased in 2019 for unhealthy marketing on the internet (OR 1.21). ConclusionsThis study shows public support for policy options at moderate to high levels but not increasing in the six‐year study period. Implications for public healthThese results form part of a package that, along with the well‐established evidence, makes the case for policy action in Australia.

The Duality of Jurisdictional Error

Jurisdictional error has a prominent role in entrenched review of executive action in Australia, despite near universal acknowledgment that it does not illuminate the operative norms of administrative law. A statutory approach to jurisdictional error dominates in Australia, despite widespread agreement that the concept is merely conclusory. It is widely assumed that the path to explain - or to challenge - these matters is through better understanding a legislative supremacy rationale for jurisdictional error. However, a more compelling account of jurisdictional error can be drawn from a fundamental constitutional characteristic of executive power: The lack of inherent executive power over legal rights or obligations. By drawing out this distinct constitutional foundation for review of purported executive decisions, this article shows that the prominence of jurisdictional error in entrenched review of executive powers is explicable for substantive constitutional reasons, which reasons also cast light on why the concept does not require a statutory approach to the grounds of entrenched review.

GAAR in Action: An Empirical Study of Transaction Types and Judicial Attributes in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

The authors report the results of an empirical study on the general anti-avoidance rules (GAARs) in action in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The study builds on a conceptual framework, developed by Tim Edgar, that classifies tax-avoidance transactions as falling into three types (tax-attributes creation, tax-attributes trading, and tax-attributes substitution) and considers the transaction types in connection with the attributes of judges and with the broader context of judicial decision making. To contextualize the empirical analysis, the authors provide a doctrinal analysis of both the countries' GAAR provisions and the judicial interpretation of GAARs, along with some examples of divergence and convergence among the three countries. The statistical results provide some modest support for Edgar's claim that the judiciary's institutional competence is limited when it comes to identifying tax avoidance in substitution cases and that Canada's GAAR could be improved through the incorporation of an economic substance test.

Indigenous leadership development: higher education and affirmative action in Australia

Indigenous leadership development: higher education and affirmative action in Australia

Stewardship and Collective Action: The Australian Experience

Institutional shareholder stewardship codes (‘stewardship codes’) exist in many jurisdictions. They reflect the growing importance of institutional shareholders in capital markets, and a belief that increased engagement by institutional shareholders improves corporate decision-making and provides protection against excessive risk-taking. In theory, there is considerable sense in shareholders undertaking their stewardship activities collectively. By acting collectively, shareholders leverage their power, pool their resources and share costs, thereby making stewardship more feasible and less speculative. Consistently, the stewardship codes of many jurisdictions refer to, and implicitly support, collective action by institutional investors. This paper examines the role of collective action as a form of stewardship, with particular reference to the Australian context. Australia provides favourable conditions for institutional investor stewardship and is, therefore, an interesting case study concerning the potential of collective action as a stewardship tool. This paper’s examination of collective action in Australia reveals, however, a nuanced image of this governance practice. Evidence indicates that investors do not routinely engage in direct forms of collective action, such as forming a coalition for the purpose of intervening in a company’s governance. Instead, investors more typically leverage their collective influence through intermediary organisations, such as industry bodies and service providers that undertake behind-the-scenes engagement activities for investors. The nuanced image of collective action emerging from the Australian experience highlights that collective action by institutional shareholders is by no means a simple governance phenomenon. The paper explores the implications of this insight for how securities and takeover laws apply to collective action, and how the issuers of stewardship codes frame their codes’ expectations regarding collective action. This analysis is relevant to policy makers, regulators and researchers who are interested in the role and regulation of collective action as a corporate governance tool.

Menstrual health and hygiene among Indigenous Australian girls and women: barriers and opportunities

Health inequities inhibit global development and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. One gendered health area, Menstrual Health & Hygiene (MHH), has received increasing attention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries as a barrier to health, wellbeing, and gender equity. Recent anecdotal evidence in Australia highlights that MHH also present challenges to High Income Countries, particularly among underrepresented populations, such as Indigenous Australian peoples, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, or communities that are remotely located. In this article, we chart the emergence of attention to MHH in the Australian context and highlight key considerations for the conduct of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples within the culturally- and gender-sensitive area of MHH. Further we draw on insights offered by a partnership between female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, NGO stakeholders, and non-Indigenous researchers. Through a convening (yarning circle) held in March 2018, the group identified multiple socioecological considerations for MHH research and practice, including: affordability and access to menstrual products, barriers to knowledge and culturally sensitive education, infrastructure and supply chain challenges, and the necessity of Indigenous-led research and community-driven data collection methods in addressing the sensitive topic. We draw together these insights to develop recommendations for future research, advocacy, and action in Australia.

The Right to Strike and the "Deadweight" of the Common Law

The hostility of the common law in respect of collective action by workers in the form of strikes is notorious. To provide workers with a right to strike, legislative intervention is necessary. In New Zealand and Australia, legislative enactment of the right to strike has taken the form of the "immunity approach" whereby strike action which meets the prerequisites for protection under the relevant statute receives immunity from common law action, while that which does not remains subject to potential liability at common law.This article analyses the adoption of the immunity approach in Australia under the relevant federal industrial relations statutes that have operated since 1993. Commencing with discussion of the hostility of the common law to collective action and the principle of legality, a presumption of statutory interpretation that presumes Parliament would not have abrogated common law rights without an express intention to do so, this article examines how the scope of protected industrial action in Australia has been consistently narrowed through hostile judicial interpretation. Such interpretation has been grounded in an approach which narrows the extent that common law rights are restricted by the statute and construes the statutory enactment of a right to strike as conferring a "privilege" on those industrial actors who remain "worthy" enough to access it.Considering the progressively negative impact on the right to strike of this approach, the argument in this article echoes calls made by Gordon Anderson in 1987 to reject the continued role of the common law in the regulation of industrial action. It is argued that the law of strikes in Australia should be codified. Such an approach should assist in downplaying judicial tendencies to interpret the right to strike as a privilege rather than as a necessary component of a functioning system of voluntary collective bargaining.

Barriers to Disclosing Elder Abuse and Taking Action in Australia

Elder abuse often goes unreported. Perpetrators of elder abuse are frequently the adult children of the victim and this relationship may contribute to the reluctance of older adults to seek help. This study aimed to understand older people’s experiences of elder abuse and the barriers to reporting it. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with clients of Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) who had a case opened and closed between 2012 and 2015, or had made two or more calls to SRV between this period. Thematic analysis was undertaken of the qualitative data. Older people who are being abused by their adult children may be reticent to seek help due to fear of adverse consequences for their adult child. The parental bond frequently prevented participants from speaking to others, asking for help, or enacting the advice provided to them. Shame and stigma surrounding the reporting of elder abuse committed by adult children needs to be addressed. Older people need to be supported to take action earlier when there is less likelihood of adverse consequences. Policy and services need to recognize the unique characteristics of the parent-child relationship and the way they can affect an older person’s ability to seek help.

Measuring Rural Food Environments for Local Action in Australia: A Systematic Critical Synthesis Review.

Poor diet is a significant contributor to obesity and chronic disease. With all being more prevalent in rural than urban Australia, modifying the food environment is a potential intervention point to improve the health of rural populations. This review examined the applicability of measurement tools used in rural food environment research for rural Australia. Six electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature, published in English between 2006 and 2018, including at least one objective measure of the Community or Consumer Food Environment in a rural or mixed rural/urban context. One-hundred and seventy-seven papers were returned after removal of duplicates, with a final review of 25. Most studies were cross-sectional, with one intervention study of quasi-experimental design. Nine studies employed a conceptual model; there was considerable variability in tools used; and few described psychometric testing. The most common attribute measured was price, followed by available healthy options. The findings of this review do not offer a suite of ‘gold standard’ measurement tools known to be reliable, valid and sensitive to change to assess the community or consumer food environments in rural Australian towns. However, recommendations are proposed to progress this important area of research within a rural context.

Why is it so hard to take lawful strike action in Australia?

This current controversy analyses the legal impediments to taking lawful strike action for workers in Australia, reviewing the components of the regulatory system that combine to restrict access to strike action for Australian workers. The discussion explores the flaws underlying the enactment of the right to strike, the limitations surrounding the definition of industrial action, the prerequisites to lawful strike action including the problems that arise from the pre-strike ballots regime, the grounds on which lawful strike action can be stopped, and the consequences of getting it wrong. The picture presented by the legal regime for strike action is that the impact of the regime is greater than the sum of its parts – making it very difficult to strike even for the most seasoned industrial players. It is possible that strike regulation in Australia has reached a tipping point whereby the costs associated with getting it right may now be so high that simply abandoning the lawful path and engaging in unlawful strike action may be more appealing than complying with the law.

Prescribing physical activity as a preventive measure for middle-aged Australians with dementia risk factors.

Dementia is increasing in Australia in line with population ageing and is expected to peak by mid-century. The development of common forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is associated with lifestyle-related risk factors that are prevalent among middle-aged Australians, including obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression. These risk factors can be significantly ameliorated through regular participation in moderate aerobic physical activity (PA). Current national and international guidelines recommend at least 150 min of aerobic PA per week for achieving health protective effects. Lifestyle intervention is a critical area for action as there are currently no medical or pharmaceutical interventions that can halt the progression of common dementias. Physician-patient discussions concerning risk reduction via habitual aerobic PA offers a complementary intervention as part of broader dementia management. Evidence suggests that to achieve the highest rates of adherence to PA, physician advice in primary care should be supported by wider policies, institutions and community services that offer a meaningful referral pathway and patient follow up after initial assessment. International Green Prescription programs provide examples of physician-led interventions in primary care that could inform further action in Australia.

Our Cows and Whales

Our Cows and Whales

Joining the dots: the role of brokers in nutrition policy in Australia

BackgroundPoor diet is the leading preventable risk factor contributing to the burden of disease in Australia. A range of cost-effective, comprehensive population-focussed strategies are available to address these dietary-related diseases. However, despite evidence of their effectiveness, minimal federal resources are directed to this area. To better understand the limited public health nutrition policy action in Australia, we sought to identify the key policy brokers in the Australian nutrition policy network and consider their level of influence over nutrition policymaking.MethodsA social network analysis involving four rounds of data collection was undertaken using a modified reputational snowball method to identify the nutrition policy network of individuals in direct contact with each other. Centrality measures, in particular betweenness centrality, and a visualisation of the network were used to identify key policy brokers.ResultsThree hundred and ninety (390) individual actors with 1917 direct ties were identified within the Australian nutrition policy network. The network revealed two key brokers; a Nutrition Academic and a General Health professional from a non-government organisation (NGO), with the latter being in the greatest strategic position for influencing policymakers.ConclusionThe results of this social network analysis illustrate there are two dominant brokers within the nutrition policy network in Australia. However their structural position in the network means their brokerage roles have different purposes and different levels of influence on policymaking. The results suggest that brokerage in isolation may not adequately represent influence in nutrition policy in Australia. Other factors, such as direct access to decision–makers and the saliency of the solution, must also be considered.