Hard Heads, Soft Hearts: A new reform agenda for Australia

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The last decade of the 20th century saw a number of market-based economic reforms with the aim of strengthening a strong economy. The question remains however as to how a greater emphasis on market forces can be shaped to lead the widespread benefits across the whole of society. How can a new prosperity be maintained while increasing the opportunities open to all Australians This text is based on contributions from a wide range of Australia's leading thinkers across academia, politics, the Public Service, business, unions and community groups. After a "stock-take" of Australia's economic, social and environmental performance, and a consideration of the implications of globalization for the Australian economy and society, the major policy issues of the day are addressed: unemployment, joblessness and welfare reform; education and the knowledge economy; health policy; other microeconomic reform (including competition policy, tax reform, Telstra privatisation, industrial relations); the Trade Practices Act and the branch office economy; population policy; ageing and retirement; work and family; and the environment - should Australia sign the Kyoto Protocol Peter Dawkins and Paul Kelly go on to draw out the main threads of the policy debates in these areas. In the final chapter of the book they plot the outlines of the new reform agenda.

Author Bio

Paul Kelly is one of Australia's leading political and economic commentators, and the author of classic works such as The Hawke Ascendency and The End of Certainty.

Peter Dawkins is one of Australia's leading academic economists and head of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne.