Australian Policy Research Articles

The anatomy of austerity in Finnish media: The journalistic point-of-view towards Europe from the North

This article investigates how four Finnish media outlets, Helsingin Sanomat, YLE, Iltalehti and STT, framed the discussions about austerity policies and their impacts on Finland's national identity from 1998 to 2019. Using historical discourse analysis, the article shows the arc of austerity reporting and how Finland's position and role in the Euro crisis changed during the years. The analysis reveals something about the national self-understanding of Finland, as presented in the media in relation to other European countries. The article addresses three research questions. (1) How did the journalistic treatment of austerity change over time and what were the key turning points? (2) What kinds of perspectives and narratives did journalism construct in the coverage of austerity? (3) How was Finland as a nation represented and compared to other nations in the context of the Euro crisis and austerity? The article shows that the journalistic coverage of austerity evolved from a local issue affecting municipal economies to a global issue linked to the Euro crisis, and that Finland's national identity was constructed through a contrastive comparison with other Northern and Southern European countries. The article contributes to the discussion on media coverage of austerity by providing a longitudinal comparative analysis.

Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Australia: Key Considerations for Assessment and Implementation

Other effective area-based conservation measures (OCEMs) have been a feature of global biodiversity targets since 2010 (Aichi Targets, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework), although the concept has only relatively recently been formally defined. Although uptake has been limited to date, there is much interest in identifying OECMs to contribute to the target of protecting at least 30% of terrestrial, freshwater and ocean areas by 2030, in conjunction with protected areas. Australia has a long history of protected area development across public, private and Indigenous lands, but consideration of OECMs in policy has recently begun in that country. We review principles proposed by the Australian Government for OECMs in Australia and highlight where these deviate from global guidance or established Australian area-based policy. We examined various land use categories and conservation mechanisms to determine the likelihood of these categories/mechanisms meeting the OECM definition, with a particular focus on longevity of the mechanism to sustain biodiversity. We identified that the number of categories/mechanisms that would meet the OECM definition is relatively small. A number of potentially perverse outcomes in classifying an area as an OECM are highlighted in order to guide proactive policy and program design to prevent such outcomes occurring.

A Critique of the Discursive Turn of Australian Multicultural Policy in the Globalisation Era

This article examines the changing discourses of Australian multicultural policy from the late 1990s until now and discusses their ideological significance under the twin-frames of globalization and Australian political culture. By systematically analyzing the series of policy papers launched by successive governments, it becomes clear that the multicultural policy has completed a discursive turn, deviating from its progressive trajectory of cultural diversity and substantive equality to suit the neo-conservative agenda of national unity and economic productivity. While the strengthened national identity based on the civic model corresponds with the surging tide of social conservatism, the shrinking government funding in this policy area and the utilitarian perception of cultural diversity are tied up with market-oriented reforms, indicating the government's shifting interests from minimizing the existing cultural barriers to maximizing cultural dividends through diversity management strategies.

Asymmetric effects of macro policies on women’s and men’s incomes. An empirical investigation of the eurozone crisis in a gender perspective

AbstractWe study how macro policies affected women’s and men’s incomes during the financial crisis in Europe. We consider the monetary stance, proxied by benchmark interest rates, and the fiscal stance, measured by the variation in public expenditures and public revenues, and investigate how they are associated to women’s and men’s labor and capital incomes, using microdata for 27 European countries between 2008 and 2016. We individualize household-level data by considering four scenarios of intra-household sharing of resources. We also explore how and to what extent macro-policies affect the distribution of labour incomes for men and women by applying a conditional quantile regression approach. Results highlight that the ECB’s expansionary policies had a positive effect on both labor and capital incomes for both men and women, while austerity policies had a mixed impact. Reductions in public expenditure had the effect of reducing labor incomes for both men and women, particularly at the median of the wage and labor distributions. In contrast, increases in public revenues benefited capital incomes, for all income quantiles.

EU Economic Governance as a Supranational Determinant of Health Inequalities in the Eurozone.

The pandemic raises the question of the problematic social toll of austerity for health in the South of Europe. Has EU economic governance constrained health spending fuelling inequalities, in turn, shaping responses to the pandemic? EU economic governance is often dismissed as ineffective due to its poor track record of compliance. Yet, austerity is blamed for negative health outcomes. I show the EU fiscal rule is a determinant of health by impacting of fiscal policies of European countries. Firstly, the analysis of EU Member States 1995-2018 shows austerity policies impact health spending and health inequalities. Euro area countries under the EU Excessive Deficit Procedure significantly consolidate their health spending. The contractionary effect is concentrated in Southern countries, contributing to rising health inequalities across the core and periphery. Finally, the analysis shows the pandemic implications of health inequalities as periphery countries with a high track record of consolidation display more stringent (and costly) Covid-19 response models. The analysis contributes to understanding the supranational determinants of health in the EU, showing the pervasive spill over effects of the fiscal framework on national health policies.

Australian healthy retail policies in hospital settings – a policy analysis and scoping review of potential impacts on dietary behaviours

Australian healthy retail policies in hospital settings – a policy analysis and scoping review of potential impacts on dietary behaviours

The AUstralian multidomain Approach to Reduce dementia Risk by prOtecting brain health With lifestyle intervention study (AU-ARROW): A study protocol for a single-blind, multi-site, randomized controlled trial.

The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study (FINGER) led to the global dementia risk reduction initiative: World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS). As part of WW-FINGERS, the Australian AU-ARROW study mirrors aspects of FINGER, as well as US-POINTER. AU-ARROW is a randomized, single-blind, multisite, 2-year clinical trial (n = 600; aged 55-79). The multimodal lifestyle intervention group will engage in aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching, dietary advice to encourage MIND diet adherence, BrainHQ cognitive training, and medical monitoring and health education. The Health Education and Coaching group will receive occasional health education sessions. The primary outcome measure is the change in a global composite cognitive score. Extra value will emanate from blood biomarker analysis, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and retinal biomarker tests. The finalized AU-ARROW protocol is expected to allow development of an evidence-based innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk, and effective transfer of research outcomes into Australian health policy. Study protocol for a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, the AU-ARROW Study.The AU-ARROW Study is a member of the World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) initiative.AU-ARROW's primary outcome measure is change in a global composite cognitive score.Extra significance from amyloid PET imaging, brain MRI, and retinal biomarker tests.Leading to development of an innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline.

Experiences of research-policy engagement in policy-making processes.

Objectives and importance of study: For public policy to respond effectively to social, economic, and health challenges, there is an urgent need for research-policy collaboration to advance evidence-informed policy. Many organisations seek to promote these engagement activities, but little is known about how this is experienced by researchers and policy actors. This study aimed to understand how policy actors and researchers in Australia experience collaboration and the impediments and enablers they encounter. Study type and methods: An online survey was developed, and using convenience sampling, self-identified Australian policy actors and researchers were invited to participate. Results: In total, 170 responses were analysed, comprising 58% policy actors and 42% researchers. Respondents reported the primary purpose for collaboration was evidence-informed policy making. Policy actors reported that the most common barrier to collaboration with academics was 'budget constraints' while academics reported 'budget, 'political risk' and 'structural barriers'. Reported enablers were 'leadership' and 'connections'. Conclusions: Our findings build upon existing evidence that highlights the importance of collaboration for facilitating evidence-informed policy. Structural deficits in both policy agencies and research funding systems and environments continue to present challenges to policy-research partnerships. Future initiatives could use these findings to implement preferred collaboration methods, alongside rigorous evaluation, to explore 'what works' in promoting engagement for evidence-informed policy.

E-mental health interventions for men: an urgent call for cohesive Australian policy and investment

Abstract Few men who experience a common mental disorder access any mental healthcare from a health professional. E-mental health (eMH; online) interventions may facilitate men’s access to mental healthcare and reduce inequities in access via assistance in a format that aligns with their preferences and needs. Recent reviews show that men who have used these programmes generally find them useful and satisfactory; however, data on their effectiveness and factors impacting effectiveness in men’s use are limited. Few eMH interventions have been designed specifically to suit men’s preferences and circumstances, and little is known about the eMH-related experiences and needs of men from vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds. Despite their potential, Australian men’s health, digital mental health, preventive health, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and social and emotional well-being policies—and men’s health policies from Malaysia, Ireland, and South Africa—make no specific mention to progressing the use or evaluation of eMH for men. We present a series of policy recommendations, aiming to improve men’s access to effective and acceptable mental health assistance via eMH and increase health professional confidence to recommend and support these programmes. These include (i) the need for specific, connected health policy actions and targeted funding; (ii) policy priorities for intervention development, dissemination and evaluation; and (iii) for the experiences of men, particularly those from marginalized and vulnerable backgrounds, to be centred in policy. eMH for men should be promoted alongside interventions to reduce systems and social-level determinants of men’s mental health inequities.

Accessibility and Inclusivity in Online Education: A Comparative Study of Policies and Practices in Australia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the accessibility and inclusivity in online education: a comparative study of policies and practices in Australia.
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings:  The study compared Australian policies and practices in online education accessibility and inclusivity, revealing notable gaps in implementation despite progress. It emphasized the necessity of comprehensive policies and ongoing educator training to address diverse student needs effectively. Overall, it highlighted the importance of continual improvement to ensure equitable access for all students in online education.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social model of disability, universal design for learning (UDL) & critical pedagogy may be used to anchor future studies on the accessibility and inclusivity in online education: a comparative study of policies and practices in Australia. Develop guidelines and best practices for inclusive course design and delivery in online education, tailored to the Australian context. Advocate for the integration of accessibility and inclusivity mandates into national and institutional policies governing online education in Australia.

From Harmful Practices and Instrumentalisation, towards Legislative Protections and Community-Owned Healthcare Services: The Context and Goals of the Intersex Movement in Australia

People with innate variations of sex characteristics (also known as intersex traits or disorders or differences of sex development) have any of a wide range of innate physical traits that differ from medical and social norms for female and male bodies. Responses to these physical differences create experiences and risks of stigmatisation, discrimination, violence, and harmful medical practices intended to promote social and familial integration and conformity with gender stereotypes. As is evident globally, the Australian policy response to the existence and needs of people with innate variations of sex characteristics has been largely incoherent, variously framing the population as having disordered sex development in need of “fixing”, and a third sex/gender identity group in need of recognition, with only recent engagement by intersex community-controlled civil society organisations. This paper presents an overview of the context and goals of the intersex human rights movement in Australia. Australian intersex community organisations have sought to apply human rights norms and develop new infrastructure to address key health and human rights issues, and necessitating new ways of resolving policy incoherence. Together with human rights, mental health, and public health institutions, they have called for significant changes to medical models of care and reform to research and classification systems. Intersex community organising and resourcing have made a tangible difference. The Australian Capital Territory is the first jurisdiction in the country to move ahead with reforms to clinical practice, including a legislative prohibition of certain practices without personal informed consent, oversight of clinical decision-making, and investment in psychosocial support. A national community-controlled psychosocial support service has also commenced.

Interviews with policymakers in Australian health policy: Understanding the process of policy development.

To determine the barriers and enablers oral health and chronic disease policymakers identify during policy development. Semi-structured interview questions were developed utilizing an interview guide and applying a knowledge mobilization framework. Reflective thematic analysis of the data was completed based on the research of Braun and Clarke encompassing a critical realist approach. Twelve policymakers were interviewed. Policymakers reported barriers to accessing evidence including the sheer volume of information and a lack of: research summaries, comprehensive oral health data sets, open access articles, consistency of reporting, and time. They did find relationships with experts and intermediaries crucial at times to policy development. Co-creation of research was also a key enabler for policymakers. This study highlights that policymakers find evidence crucial during the development of policy and often use it to advocate for policies. However, the links between poor oral health; and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairment are not well recognized among chronic disease policymakers. It is important that oral health researchers and policymakers work to close this gap. The treatment of poor oral health is a global population health issue. It is imperative that evidence of these links is implemented into health policy for the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases and improved quality of life for individuals living with chronic diseases.

The complementary impacts of nurse home visiting and quality childcare for children experiencing adversity

AbstractAustralian Governments are increasingly understanding the impacts of early adversity, evidenced by ongoing policy and investment in two of the most widely implemented early interventions: nurse home visiting (NHV) and early childhood education and care (ECEC). Neither intervention fully redresses the developmental inequities engendered by early adversity, yet their synergistic impacts (“dynamic complementarity”) are unknown. In this research, we aimed to (1) inform evaluation of policy implementation by (2) experimentally testing the dynamic complementarity of NHV and ECEC. We capitalised on an opportunity afforded by the Australian “right@home” randomised trial, which involved 722 pregnant women experiencing adversity, randomised to receive NHV or usual care to child age 2 years. Detailed data describing family‐accessed ECEC were collected from parents at 3–4 years, and “quality ECEC” was categorised according to meeting quality recommendations defined by Australian policy and provision. Children's developmental outcomes (language, executive functioning, behaviour and well‐being) were parent‐reported or assessed directly at 4 years. At 4 years, 33 per cent of families had received neither intervention; 40 per cent NHV only; 14 per cent quality ECEC only; and 13 per cent had received both. We used linear regression to estimate differences in mean outcomes between exposure groups, including interaction between NHV and ECEC. Unadjusted analyses indicated modest effects of the combination of NHV and ECEC, which attenuated after adjustment for socioeconomic confounders. We present the design and preliminary findings as an approach that could be used to evaluate equitable implementation at scale and enable policymakers to determine the most effective evidence‐based policy.

About them, without them? figures of youth in Australian policy 2014–2021

ABSTRACT This paper considers the multiple and contradictory depictions of young people in youth policy and reflects on how youth engagement is constructed in Australian Federal and State policy. In this journal, researchers have been challenged to critically reflect on ‘figures of youth' (Threadgold, 2020) and we take up this challenge and consider how and why ‘figures of youth' are deployed in Australian youth policy. Drawing on an environmental scan of youth policy documents published between 2014-2021, we analyse the ways young people's voices are positioned to legitimate policy claims about what is required to help young people in Australia across multiple domains. Despite the apparent agreement among policy-makers that youth consultation is important in the policy development process, our scan points to a wide variety of interpretations of what ‘youth voice' might look like, how young people participate, and how their contributions are actually utilised. We argue that the persistence and frequent emergence of particular ‘figures of youth’ throughout Australian youth policy reflects the endurance of adult-centric interpretations of youth, and the partial and superficial procedures that claim to engage with young people, but which ultimately privilege the interests of other agendas.

Neoliberalizing Design and the State: The Political Origins of Australian Design Policy and Design Education Reform, 1987–1991

Abstract This article draws attention to the state involvement in national design agendas through the example of Australia’s Hawke Government, focusing on 1987 to 1991. It unearths the origins of Australian design policy and reforms to design education within an emerging neoliberal political economy in the 1980s. Drawing on gray literature, the article reveals how this was a period of intensive political rhetoric regarding design and design education, during which the government—led by the Australian Labor Party—specifically promoted the role of design in industry policy. Better design, it was hoped, could enhance the international competitiveness of Australian-made exports, thereby addressing trade imbalances and boosting manufacturing. This increasing emphasis on design occurred in a highly politicized environment and in tandem with the restructuring of Australian tertiary education (known as the “Dawkins revolution”), alongside the discursive notion of Australia as a “clever country.” In essence, this government-led politicization of design meant that Australian design was understood as operating exclusively to “meet the needs of industry,” with industrial design prioritized. While hindsight indicates that this strategy was unsuccessful in enhancing manufacturing, the legacy of this neoliberal framing of design continues to reverberate, particularly in mainstream understandings of design.

East Timor, Rene Girard and Neocolonial Violence: Scapegoating as Australian Policy. By SusanConnelly. London: Bloomsbury, 2022.

East Timor, Rene Girard and Neocolonial Violence: Scapegoating as Australian Policy. By SusanConnelly. London: Bloomsbury, 2022.

Responsibility and innovation for low waste and circular economy transitions: what roles for households?

ABSTRACT The need for waste policy to embrace CE principles through measures to avoid waste generation and improve recycling rates can be understood within the broader context of sustainability transitions. We analyze three Australian waste policies to understand how households are framed as framing policy actors. Using a governance rationalities framework inspired by Hajer (2005) and Dryzek’s (2013) work on environmental governance, we identified four discursive structures, i.e. four different problem frames with suggested solutions, measures and responsibilities. These problem frames reveal an expanding role for government and industry in waste management, alongside a more passive role for households. While anticipating that households will undertake more sorting and will reduce the amount of waste they generate, the policies lack a coherent conceptualization of the role of households as actors in circular economy transitions in Australia. Our analysis highlights and helps to understand the discrepancy between high-level CE and zero-waste policy ambitions and their implementation in practice. We conclude with suggestions on how waste policy could benefit from deliberative approaches that engage with agency for social innovation and transformation in norms and practices at the household scale.

The Greek economic crisis and its impact on the national health system

Abstract The Greek economic crisis produced severe economic and social outcomes. A massive rescue package was conditional on implementing a Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies agreed upon between the Greek government and the EU, European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The extremely austere fiscal consolidation and the structural reforms accompanying the Greek Economic Adjustment Programmes reduced the country’s GDP. Implementing the austerity policies on the Greek National Health System, which was already facing structural problems, reduced the quality and availability of public health care services. This paper investigates the impact of the GDP change on public healthcare expenditures (HCE) from 2000 to 2018. The empirical analysis reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between the GDP per capita and public healthcare expenditure (HCE) from 2000 to 2014 while the effect of GDP on HCE after the 2015 remains unchanged. This paper contributes to the field’s literature since it determines the impact of GDP on public HCE, specifically matched with empirical results to derive conclusive answers.

Ghana’s education and labour unions join civil society organisations to take on the IMF

ABSTRACT This article will explain how a series of educator strikes in 2022 in Ghana led to increased awareness of and calls for tax justice and debt relief from a growing movement of public sector workers and civil society organisations. We chart how the issues and demands of teacher organisations and other public sector workers shifted and increased over time, bringing in a new public imaginary to critique IMF driven austerity policies, build and link to global campaigns around debt relief, and signal new possibilities for generating more stable domestic public sector tax revenues. We examine the evolving strategies of growing educator strikes and show how unions are joining together with other civil society and advocacy groups to challenge fiscal austerity and government policies that affect not only their schools and classrooms but their lives and livelihoods. This case describing what Ghanaian teacher unions are doing to organise members to learn about and challenge austerity policies highlights the importance of public sector workers’ knowledge, understanding and engaging governmental macro-economic policies and offering alternative solutions.

Exploring Consumers' Motivations and Experiences of Engaging as Partners in Cancer Research.

Consumer engagement improves research quality and relevance but can be difficult to implement. This study aimed to explore the motivations and understand the barriers, if any, experienced by consumers before and when partnering with cancer research teams. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with consumers and the results analysed thematically. Two groups were recruited: consumers who were members of the consumer registry and patients who did not have previous experience of being a consumer in a researcher partnership. Twenty-one interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants aged between 26 and 74 years. Consumers motivation was driven by altruism to help others and personal benefits. Barriers to beginning and maintaining consumer engagement included consumers' perceptions of being appreciated by researchers and meaningful communication between researchers and consumers. Australian policy has made important steps towards consumer engagement in research. This study showed that demonstrating an appreciation for consumers and effective communication are key areas to consider when designing implementation strategies of these policies in the cancer research space in the future.