The social and economic impacts of immigration detention facilities: a South Australian case study

The negative attitudes fostered by political rhetoric against asylum seekers create significant problems when asylum seekers are housed within communities. Much of the community's opposition focuses on the perceived economic and social impacts of large numbers of asylum seekers. However, we currently lack research on the local economic and social impacts of asylum seekers. As a contribution to this evidence base our paper outlines a South Australian case study of the impact of a low security immigration detention facility on the local economy, health services and social cohesion. Our impact assessment found that community concerns were not borne out. There were increases in employment and local expenditure, no reduction in health care services or access, and tensions between residents subsided, as did initially strong reactions against the asylum seekers themselves. The minimal impacts were due to the government and community interventions such as seeking local contracts and providing onsite health services. This case study is used to provide some guidelines for other communities to effectively target the fears that matter most to the community – either through disseminating information that reduces fears and myths, or through planning and interventions that minimise negative impacts and enhance positive benefits. In this way, the arrival of asylum seekers can potentially become one that benefits all community members.     

Preliminary data on abuse during childhood among female university students

This study investigated the childhood experiences of physical and sexual abuse in relation to the risk of adult depression among female university students. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of abusive experiences in childhood, to examine if childhood physical and sexual abuse, parental antipathy and neglect correlated to depression, and to determine the risk factors of depression in this population. A translated childhood experience of care and abuse questionnaire (CECA-Q) was randomly distributed to the students. The results showed that the reliability of the CECA-Q was good and stable. The prevalent rate of childhood physical abuse in this population was 19% and childhood sexual abuse was 5%. Childhood physical abuse by the mother was a significant risk factor in contributing to depression. The study provides evidence of a correlation between childhood abuse and depression among female university students.     

Effects of Terms of Trade and its Volatility on Economic Growth: A Cross Country Empirical Investigation

This study examines the effects of terms of trade and its volatility on economic growth for a sample of 94 developed and developing countries, using 5 year average annual data from 2004 to 2008. The cross country ordinary least square estimation results indicate significant positive effect of terms of trade on economic growth. Furthermore, volatility of terms of trade has significant positive effect on economic growth. To test the robustness of initial results, sensitivity analysis has been performed using different additional variables, sample size and various proxies of volatility variable. The initial results were found robust despite the inclusion of various variables in the basic model and use of various proxies for volatility of terms of trade.     

Credit programs for the poor and reproductive behavior in low-income countries: Are the reported causal relationships the result of heterogeneity bias?

Group-based lending programs for the poor have drawn much attention recently. As many of these programs target women, an important research question is whether program participation significantly changes reproductive behavior and whether the gender of the participant matters. Using survey data from 87 Bangladeshi villages, we estimate the impact of female and male participation in group-based credit programs on reproductive behavior while attending to issues of self-selection and endogeneity. Wefind no evidence that women s participation in group-based credit programs increases contraceptive use or reduces fertility. Men So participation reduces fertility and may slightly increase contraceptive use.