Regional governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: the development of a legal framework and practical models to address discrimination and disadvantage. Many Indigenous people are of the view that the needs and aspirations of their communities may be more effectively negotiated and managed on a local or regional level. Government leaders and agencies have identified more localised decision-making by Indigenous communities as a policy priority. Despite this, there is littl ....Regional governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: the development of a legal framework and practical models to address discrimination and disadvantage. Many Indigenous people are of the view that the needs and aspirations of their communities may be more effectively negotiated and managed on a local or regional level. Government leaders and agencies have identified more localised decision-making by Indigenous communities as a policy priority. Despite this, there is little comprehensive research regarding the legal and policy issues associated with regional governance for Indigenous people in Australia. This research project will redress the paucity of in-depth legal analysis in this area, and develop achievable and practical models of regional governance for Indigenous communities, to enhance their cultural, economic and social well-being.Read moreRead less
The Implementation of Agreements and Treaties with Indigenous and Local Peoples in Postcolonial States. This project involves a comparative study by an interdisciplinary team of the implementation of agreements with Indigenous and local peoples across selected Australian and international jurisdictions. Agreement making is now a major policy tool for governments, industry and Indigenous peoples. Using case studies, this project will address the critical need for research on implementation of agr ....The Implementation of Agreements and Treaties with Indigenous and Local Peoples in Postcolonial States. This project involves a comparative study by an interdisciplinary team of the implementation of agreements with Indigenous and local peoples across selected Australian and international jurisdictions. Agreement making is now a major policy tool for governments, industry and Indigenous peoples. Using case studies, this project will address the critical need for research on implementation of agreements and the factors promoting long-term sustainability. This will involve examination of legal, governance, economic development, land/heritage, and environmental management issues that arise in agreement implementation and investigation of the features of agreements that enhance social, cultural and economic outcomes for Indigenous communities.Read moreRead less
Undocumented Migrants- Unearthing Knowledge on a Key Source of Farm Labour. The Australian horticulture industry has endemic labour challenges, both in terms of labour supply challenges and a systemic problem of non-compliance with labour standards. A core component of both problems is the entrenched reliance on undocumented migrants. Given complex supply chains transiting fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm to the consumer, undocumented workers are largely invisible. There is very little ....Undocumented Migrants- Unearthing Knowledge on a Key Source of Farm Labour. The Australian horticulture industry has endemic labour challenges, both in terms of labour supply challenges and a systemic problem of non-compliance with labour standards. A core component of both problems is the entrenched reliance on undocumented migrants. Given complex supply chains transiting fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm to the consumer, undocumented workers are largely invisible. There is very little research on undocumented workers on farms. Addressing this critical Australian and international knowledge gap, this project is the first study to comprehensively analyse the role of undocumented migrants in the horticulture industry from a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government, employers and workers.Read moreRead less
Socio-psychological factors and compliance with work health and safety regulation – theory, policy and practice. This project will examine and provide an account of the relationship between socio-psychological factors (knowledge, motivations, attitudes, perceptions and norms), and procedural and substantive compliance with work health and safety regulation and lead the way in reducing workplace injuries through improving regulatory effectiveness.
Criminalisation of poverty and homelessness in Australia: A national study. The project aims to assess the policing and enforcement of public order crimes and related offences (e.g. obstruct/disobey police, breach of bail, and minor property offences) on individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. The project endeavours to collect and analyse qualitative data from across Australia on the lived experience of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, regarding the impact of crimin ....Criminalisation of poverty and homelessness in Australia: A national study. The project aims to assess the policing and enforcement of public order crimes and related offences (e.g. obstruct/disobey police, breach of bail, and minor property offences) on individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. The project endeavours to collect and analyse qualitative data from across Australia on the lived experience of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, regarding the impact of criminal laws and police powers concerned with presence in, and movement around public places. It will particularly focus on the impact on women, children and Indigenous peoples. The outcomes will seek to reduce the criminalisation of homeless people, by identifying law and policy reform options, and comparing their cost with that of 'business as usual'.Read moreRead less
Evaluating Australian personal insolvency laws in the context of changing demographics and increasing financial stress. This project will study how Australians respond to financial stress within the context of Australian personal insolvency laws. A better understanding of the practical impact of these laws today will enable an evaluation of their effectiveness in meeting policy objectives.
Analysis of the impact and regulation of harmful financial products. Analysis of the impact and regulation of harmful financial products. This project will investigate financial products that can harm disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers. It will use empirical research (surveys, interviews and focus groups) to explore how these products perpetuate financial hardship, poor health and social disadvantage. In doing so, it expects to contribute to consumer law scholarship and studies of financial ....Analysis of the impact and regulation of harmful financial products. Analysis of the impact and regulation of harmful financial products. This project will investigate financial products that can harm disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers. It will use empirical research (surveys, interviews and focus groups) to explore how these products perpetuate financial hardship, poor health and social disadvantage. In doing so, it expects to contribute to consumer law scholarship and studies of financial exclusion, and provide practical assistance to policymakers, regulators and the partner organisations. The project will also assess the need for law reform, and, if appropriate, recommend detailed law reforms. The research is expected to help policymakers address damage caused by harmful and predatory financial products and promote the financial and social wellbeing of vulnerable, disadvantaged consumers.Read moreRead less
Strengthening the rule of law through the United Nations Security Council. This project will examine the extent to which the United Nations Security Council has reinforced the rule of law, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, sanctions and the use of force. It will identify methods to enhance respect for the rule of law, including through the effective coordination of civilian and military operations.
Regulating a Revolution: A New Regulatory Model for Digital Finance. This project aims to draw on regulatory developments abroad to develop an innovative, proportional, incremental regulatory regime for Australian digital financial services (DFS). DFS are set to grow rapidly in Australia, just as they have overseas. An effective and appropriate regulatory regime should result in a more competitive and efficient payments system that will lift productivity and economic growth. The project also int ....Regulating a Revolution: A New Regulatory Model for Digital Finance. This project aims to draw on regulatory developments abroad to develop an innovative, proportional, incremental regulatory regime for Australian digital financial services (DFS). DFS are set to grow rapidly in Australia, just as they have overseas. An effective and appropriate regulatory regime should result in a more competitive and efficient payments system that will lift productivity and economic growth. The project also intends to analyse and resolve regulatory roadblocks to the growth of DFS in developing countries to promote financial inclusion and economic growth, and thereby reduce poverty, in such countries.Read moreRead less
The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovere ....The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovereign rights throughout its maritime zones of jurisdiction. The issues involved have taken on a greater contemporary significance in light of recent events, including the surge in illegal people smuggling into Australia, increased illegal fishing activity in Australia's Southern Ocean exclusive economic zone by highly organized criminal syndicates and heightened tensions with regard to maritime terrorism.
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