Weekly Policy Pint 19/02/2021

An end to the family court

The Family Court will now be merged with the Federal Circuit Court. The Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System has yet to publish it’s final report into the Improvements in Family Law Proceedings Inquiry. Former judges, and legal support services including the CEO of Women’s Legal Services Australia have condemned the move.

Nationhood, national identity and democracy

After 2 years of work from the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have released their report on Nationhood, national identity and democracy. Among it’s 18 recommendations are a Parliamentary Office of Science (like that in the UK), an independent corruption commission, and the teaching of civics including First Nations history, and issues of civics and citizenship for Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander Peoples.

Gender equality in the Pacific

The Pacific Island Forum has announced that they will be reviewing their 2012 Gender Equality Declaration. This declaration commits to action in the following: government programs and polices, decision making, economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and health and education.

Is your favourite think tank competitive?

The University of Pennsylvania Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program released their 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index this week. Australia’s top global think tank coming in at #57 is the Institute for International Policy. However, the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University was #1 in the top global water security think tank index.

NSW is accelerating to jobs

The NSW State Government launched the action plan Turning ideas into jobs: Accelerating R&D in NSW. The plan’s priorities include a focus on small business, open data, innovation precincts, support for universities and an R&D matchmaking platform.