Counter-geographies: The campaign against rationalisation of agricultural research stations in New South Wales, Australia

This paper discusses an example of community action mounted in a rural region of New South Wales, Australia, in response to proposals by the State Government to rationalise agricultural research stations operated by the Department of Primary Industries. Informed by a Foucaultian understanding of power and the concept of governmentality, neoliberalism is theorised as being the broad governmental context in which rationalisation proposals were put forward. Recent literature drawing on this theoretical perspective has emphasised that neoliberalism is enacted through a relationship of power, and is not monolithic or inevitable. Neoliberalism is always negotiated by those seeking to govern and those who are the object of such governmental actions. This paper analyses how plans to rationalise publicly funded agricultural research stations were opposed by those seeking to keep research facilities open in the case study area. The paper discusses the methods and scope of community action and, drawing on interviews, identifies a series of discourses articulated by campaigners. Non-local actors were depicted as uncaring and insensitive. In contrast, campaigners discussed the emergence of a ‘city-country divide’ in domestic politics; the need for specialist agricultural knowledge given the region's unique geographical location; and local impacts of an economic, social and emotional nature. Central were discourses of maintaining community, tradition, and continuity in unique local places defined by their climate, biophysical environment and economy. These were ‘counter-geographies’ that sought (successfully, it would transpire) to disrupt the state's imagined geography of a homogenous and flexible administrative space in which research services could be relocated wherever most efficient. Important too were embodied resistances to the way rural industries and people were subjected. Campaigners refused to accept preferred codes of neoliberal behaviour (particularly mobility and rationality) and instead demanded respect for their careers, families and communities. Important considerations are suggested for further research on impacts and negotiations of neoliberalism. This study particularly highlights the successes—as well as contradictions and limitations—of arguments that construct rural places as socialised, unique and unfairly treated (by governments), in opposition to metropolitan dominance and ‘placeless’ neoliberalism.     

FATHERS’ USE OF LEAVE IN AUSTRALIA

This paper examines Australian fathers’ use of leave at the time of the birth of a child, drawing on data from The Parental Leave in Australia Survey, conducted in 2005, and a subsequent organizational case study. Our analysis shows that although most Australian fathers take some leave for parental purposes, use of formally designated paternity or parental leave is limited. This is unsurprising given the Australian policy framework, which lacks legislative provision for paid paternity or parental leave, and does not require any of the shared unpaid parental-leave entitlement to be reserved for fathers. Use of leave is shown to be influenced primarily by fathers’ employment characteristics, with those working in small organizations or non-permanent positions least likely to utilize paternity or other forms of leave. Overall, the analysis suggests that improvements in the policy framework would increase Australian fathers’ propensity to take parental leave, but highlights barriers to usage associated with labour market divisions and career pressures that will not be solved solely by the adoption of more progressive leave policies.     

Minority government and marginal members: new issues for political and policy legitimacy in Australia

A steady decline in major party support in Commonwealth nations has resulted in changing parliamentary compositions, including the growing prevalence of minority government. Such situations pose new questions for notions of government legitimacy within Westminster systems. For instance, is negotiation with cross-benchers an example of government illegitimacy? What is the legitimate role of non-ministerial members when the composition of parliament gives them the final say on the enabling legislation for public policy? What is the legitimate response of the public sector regarding policy-making in the context of minority government? In this paper, we reflect on how a ‘marginal member’ concept can provide new insights into such issues and their implications.     

美英澳高等教育质量标准比较分析

通过对美英澳高等教育质量标准的主体、客体、环境和工具对比分析,发现:由于三国高等教育管理体制在分权制和集权制上的分歧,其高等教育质量标准的主体和客体存在“政府型”和“非政府型”,“自愿性”和“强制性”的属性之别.但三国的高等教育质量标准的环境和工具具有相似性,其法制环境完善,三国均有相应的国家法律来保障标准的制定、实施、评价和控制;其使用工具类似,三国在实施各自的高等教育质量标准时都采用了自我评估与外部评估相结合的手段,三国的评估程序基本一致.     

澳大利亚西北大陆架油气分布及成藏主控因素

从构造演化分析入手,通过对澳大利亚西北大陆架石油地质条件的分析,总结了油气分布特征,并对影响油气成藏及分布的主控因素进行了探讨。研究表明：西北大陆架的油气分布在平面上具有分区性,石油主要富集在侏罗纪晚期形成的北东向狭长裂谷内,天然气主要分布在狭长裂谷之外的构造高地上。纵向上,油气分布较为集中,主要分布于中生界。同时,油和气分布具有明显的分层性：天然气主要分布于三叠系和侏罗系储集层,而石油则主要分布于白垩系及以上地层。西北大陆架的油气富集主要受烃源岩、构造背景、大型三角洲沉积体系和区域盖层以及后期保存条件的控制。烃源岩的性质及分布决定了西北大陆架的富气贫油及油、气的平面分布特征;大型的三角洲沉积体系及优质的区域盖层为油气提供了良好的生储盖组合,决定了油气富集的层位;紧邻洼陷分布的构造高地,发育多种类型的圈闭,成为油气运移的有利指向区。     

Class voting, social change, and the left in Australia, 1943-96

The relationship between class and voting choices has been the subject of controversy in recent years, especially in connection with the apparent decline of the traditional left. This paper examines class voting in Australia, focusing on three major issues: (1) changes in the overall strength of class voting (2) realignment, or changes in the relative political positions of the classes (3) the connection between the strength of class voting and support for Labor. It finds that (1) there is a decline in 'general' class voting (2) much of this decline involves a realignment of certain middle class groups, but there is no support for the popular idea that class alignments have become more complex (3) there is no connection between the strength of class voting and Labor performance. Our results cast doubt on accounts that regard the electoral difficulties of left parties as a symptom of the decline of class.     

澳大利亚药学服务模式对我国药学教育的启示

澳大利亚药学服务发展有其自身的背景及历史 ,澳大利亚药学服务框架与最具特色的国家“药品补贴计划” ,药师的工作模式以及澳大利亚政府对药学的调控等很有意义。澳大利亚药师的职能目标 ,值得我国高等药学教育改革借鉴。     

离婚诉讼前处理子女抚养纠纷的一种新机制——澳大利亚“家庭关系中心”评介及其启示

儿童最大利益原则,是联合国1989年《儿童权利公约》所倡导和现代许多国家处理儿童抚养和监护问题所遵循的首要原则。澳大利亚"家庭关系中心"设立的根本目的,就是为了指导和帮助分居后或离婚诉讼前的夫妻妥善处理其子女的照顾、抚养和探视等问题。澳大利亚"家庭关系中心"是处理分居后或离婚诉讼前的夫妻之子女抚养和监护等纠纷的一种新机制。其成功的实践经验对我国具有较大的借鉴意义。     

Engaging Indigenous Communities: Towards a Policy Framework for Indigenous Community Justice Programmes

Community engagement has come to the fore as a policy and programme approach that seeks to connect citizens both with each other and with government in order to deliver improved social and economic opportunities and outcomes. This model has become a key aspect of the intervention approach within Indigenous communities and is seen to have particular application in addressing community justice issues. This article examines a suite of community justice initiatives being used in Indigenous communities in Australia with a view to ascertaining how the principles of community engagement are operationalized. The article draws on this information and argues that community engagement is only one aspect of a number of community‐oriented justice initiatives currently being applied. These initiatives range from concepts of community as a location, community as an interest group, and the leveraging of community capital so as to tap into and build better and stronger relationships. In so doing, the latter attempts to increase the social infrastructure, resources and capacity of communities. However, despite government attention in this area, there is a lack of a policy and programmatic framework to guide a coherent and apposite approach to issues of community in specific policy settings. The article contributes to the development of a framework that begins the process of differentiating and assessing justice administration interventions.     

Health and welfare of immigrants and access to services in Australia

The main issues in relation to the provision of health and social welfare services for migrants in Australia are: (a) to ensure access and equity; (b) concern about the relatively high proportions of some groups from specific birthplaces requiring support; and (c) the complexity and costs of ethnically specific services. This article focuses on the major pensions and benefits paid by the Department of Social Security, particularly the age pension and unemployment benefit. It also examines the interrelationship between mortality, morbidity, private health insurance, use of health services and the proportions on health-related pensions. Linked with these issues is the debate about an appropriate level of immigration when the unemployment rate is high, as in the current recession, and when new arrivals have little prospect of finding a job. A second major concern is the cost of caring for elderly immigrant parents who have come to Australia under the family reunion program.