bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE DIMMING OF ILLUSIONS: CHANGING ATTITUDES OF LABOURERS TO DIRECT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT ON NSW PUBLIC WORKS, 1899–1916*
Authors: Sheldon Peter 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: Direct employment on public works (or day labour) was a powerful symbol of the possibilities for reform within capitalism in the early years of this century. It promised not only more work at times of high unemployment, but better conditions of employment. Further, there was the possibility of labourers, through their unions, having much greater control of their working lives.The major political battles were over whether governments should use day labour or contract. But, for the labourers themselves, the question of the nature of the administration of day labour became an increasingly important one. A sympathetic administration, such as that under E.W. O'Sullivan, not only meant great practical benefits for labourers; it served also as an example of what was possible through developing an alternative model of dealing with capitalist crises.However, in the case where a Labor government was unwilling to challenge the weight of traditional bourgeois economic thinking, day labour lost any pretence of being either model employment or a symbol for the future. In 1910–16, when labourers already had raised expectations of what day labour promised, such administration meant a growing alienation of labourers and their unions from the Holman Government and from Labor's parliamentary road in general.
THE POLITICS OF ROAD FUNDING: REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES AND FEDERALISM IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Fletcher Christine 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: This paper illustrates how remote Aboriginal communities shape rural road classification and funding policies in three Western Australian shires. The Australian federal system is characterised by a complex range of commonwealth and state governmental agencies competing for political space within different localities. Because Aborigines are constituents of the commonwealth and the state, a distinction is drawn between local government political activity, and politics that occur within the locality of a shire.Success in influencing policy‐making processes throughout the federal system stems from the participants' ability to exploit the system. The Aboriginal impact on road policy‐making within remote localities is linked to electoral, bureaucratic, and sectional interest politics. These are features of governing and they provide a conceptual framework for the organisation of political activity by commonwealth, state, and local agencies, and Aboriginal communities.
ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: SOCIAL POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Authors: McColl‐Kennedy Janet R. , Dann Susan J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: The issue of equity in the provision of public utilities is one which has been the subject of a number of Australian studies over the past ten years. In particular, the obvious inequities in pricing between different classes of electricity consumers have attracted attention. Evidence that these inequities exist not only between, but also within, consumer classes was found in a survey of Brisbane residential electricity consumers. Significantly higher rates per kilowatt hour are paid by lower income consumers and the proportion of income spent on electricity is higher than that spent by the upper income households surveyed.These inequities have important implications in the development of social policies, particularly those directed at the aged who, in many cases, rely on a low fixed income in the form of the old age pension. So far, in Australia, only the Victorian state government has approached this issue in any detail as a part of its Social Justice Strategy despite the fact that similar inequities in the provision of electricity to household consumers exist in all states.
TAXATION AND THE ECONOMY: A BUSINESS VIEW ON SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES
Authors: Kent John 
Published: March 2008

SummaryAustralia is facing major economic problems. The overseas debt is uncomfortably high and we, like other countries, are having to face up to problems associated with the ageing of our population.To overcome these problems we need to save through superannuation and otherwise. Furthermore, we need to encourage further development of overseas operations by Australian companies and remove existing constraints.Taxation plays an important role. A consumption tax/income tax trade‐off warrants thorough investigation. The benefits appear significant.We should avoid unnecessary restrictions on business activities as complexities lead to inefficiencies. We should seek to clarify and hopefully simplify the taxation code; a major review of the Income Tax Assessment Act would seem in order.
MORE VALUABLE CONFERENCE BOOKS
Authors: Corbett David 
Published: March 2008

Public Administration in Australia: A Watershed. Edited by JOHN POWER (Sydney: Hale & Iremonger in association with the Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration, 1990, 168 pp). Decision Making in Australian Government: The Cabinet and Budget Processes. Edited by BRIAN GALLIGAN, J.R. NETHERCOTE and CLIFF WALSH (Canberra: Centre of Research on Federal Financial Relations and Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration, ACT Division 1990, 141 pp). Budgetary Management and Control: The Public Sector in Australasia. Edited by JOHN FORSTER and JOHN WANNA (Melbourne, Macmillan, 1990, 206 pp).
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT OR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION?
Authors: Hughes Owen 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: The debate over managerialism has been the most controversial issue in Australian public administration journals in recent years. Although most articles have been critical, there have been responses in favour of the changes by senior public servants. One unfortunate consequence of this debate has been the appearance of a gap between academic public administration and public service practice.This paper argues that, from several angles, the work now carried out by public services is management rather than administration. It argues that managerialism is a long‐overdue reform to a model which has outlived its usefulness. The traditional model of public administration was an irrelevance for many years; it was never efficient or effective and deserved to be replaced. However, public management does not necessarily mean the widespread and uncritical adoption of practices from the private sector. What it should mean is that a distinctive public management needs to be developed. This should take account of the differences between the sectors, but still recognise that the work being done by public servants is now managerial rather than administrative.
RESEARCH NOTE: “THE STUBBORN SILENCE OF PETRONIUS ARBITER”1
Authors: Davis Glyn 
Published: March 2008

We trained hard — but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganised. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganising, and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.From Petronii Arbitri Satyricon, AD 66, attributed to Gaius Petronius.
Why National Competition Policy?
Authors: Thomas Claire 
Published: March 2008

Strategies to enhance Australia's international competitiveness need to embrace reform of key infrastructure service industries, reform of the regulatory environment, industrial relations reform and taxation reform. Key aspects of this reform agenda can only be addressed through a shared commitment by all levels of government. Ownership of the public utilities responsible for the nation's key infrastructure networks and services is divided among commonwealth, state and territory (and local) governments. Achieving a substantial lift in the productivity of these industries and ensuring the emergence of truly national infrastructure networks relies on agreement by all governments to public utility reform and the removal of barriers to cross‐border competition. Moreover, the regulation of industries, occupations and businesses is primarily the responsibility of state and territory governments, hence regulatory reform also requires a cooperative approach by all governments.While most jurisdictions have taken some steps to reform public utilities and to deregulate certain product markets, to date reform has been piecemeal. A more systematic approach to removal of impediments to competition across the board is likely to be necessary to lift the overall competitiveness of the Australian economy. The agreement by the commonwealth and all states and territories to implement the National Competition Policy (NCP) not only provides the necessary shared commitment to reform across the board, it also provides the rewards and sanctions needed to sustain that commitment in the face of certain resistance from vested interests.
Corporatisation and Community Service Obligations: Are They Incompatible?
Authors: Martin Jacqueline 
Published: March 2008

This article asks whether corporatisation is compatible with the notion of community service obligations (CSOs). Corporatisation provides only a minimal framework for the identification of social objectives as CSOs and their funding by government from budget. The community has certain expectations of utilities in relation to CSOs, which may be different from expectations held by governments. Models of corporatisation which have two shareholding ministers with competing objectives introduce a further potential source of conflict.Historically, the characteristics of a CSO are ambiguous (IC 1991:81) and this presents difficulty in their costing and identification. Governments and corporatised entities have attempted to clarify the issues of definition, identification and costing. These and other issues such as transparency, budget funding, coverage, jurisdiction, public interest and community spirit are discussed in the context of corporatised government electricity utilities.
Equal Opportunity Units: Change Agencies
Authors: Shoemark Lyn 
Published: March 2008

Should equity programs be centralised or ‘mainstreamed’? Drawing on experience in universities, and on a 1990 report for the Affirmative Action Agency, this contribution argues for recognition of important preconditions before devolution of equity responsibilities.The author has worked in the area of equal opportunity at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and its predecessor institution, Kuringai College of Advanced Education, since 1988. During that time, universities have undergone a transformation, with the integration of the Colleges of Advanced Education and the Institutes of Technology into the ‘unified national system’ of higher education. There has been an increased emphasis, at least partly driven by financial constraints, on the efficiency and effectiveness of management within universities.
Japan: The Prospects for Public Sector Change
Authors: Elliott Jim 
Published: March 2008

There have been some public sector changes in Japan, especially since 1981. The changes have contributed to the country's outstanding economic development. Recent events, however, question whether these changes have been sufficient and whether the sector is meeting the needs of Japanese society today.Many of Japan's political, economic and social certainties disappeared in the 1990s including automatic economic growth and the 38 year reign of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party government. These developments and events such as the Kobe earthquake, the HIV blood contamination scandal and the collapse of financial institutions suggest that a more fundamental reform of the public sector is still required.
A Primary Industry Perspective
Authors: O'Sullivan Mark H 
Published: March 2008

This article develops a case for taking a broad perspective on the benefits generated from government involvement in international services. In particular it shows how government scientists and other officers, through involvement in exporting government services, can gain and maintain important scientific knowledge, and access genetic material from overseas. These activities may be vital for the establishment of new industries, as well as maintaining production efficiency in the private sector.The article further illustrates, through a case study, the unique role for government in assisting the private sector open up trade opportunities. In the case study example this was facilitated through sourcing overseas technology to treat mangos for fruit fly, and then after extensive testing and scientific work negotiating the removal of quarantine barriers to gain access to the lucrative Japanese market.
Performance Monitoring Public Services in Australia
Authors: AO Bill Scales 
Published: March 2008

The Industry Commission, the former Bureau of Industry Economics and the Economic Planning Advisory Commission have amalgamated on an administrative basis to prepare for the formation of the Productivity Commission. Legislation establishing the new commission is before parliament.The Industry Commission has been involved in a number of projects that monitor the performance of a range of government services across Australia. The first monitors the performance of a large number of Australia's major government trading enterprises and the second has begun the process of monitoring the performance of a range of government service providers.This article outlines why measuring and monitoring performance can be used to improve public sector performance and provides two examples of how this tool can successfully be used in practice.
Information Technology Outsourcing by State Governments in Australia
Authors: Graham Mary , Scarborough Helen 
Published: March 2008

Outsourcing of IT services is being undertaken at a rapid rate within the public sector in Australia. This paper investigates the adoption of this practice by a sample of state government enterprises and departments from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales which have tendered long‐term IT outsourcing contracts.The motivation, decision‐making process and extent of outsourcing are examined in further detail. In addition, the tendering process, contract and risk management are investigated to determine whether consideration has been given to the full economic costs involved in entering into longer term contracts.
Departmental Secretaries: Introductory Notes
Authors: Podger A.S. 
Published: March 2008

Termination and appointment of some departmental secretaries before and after the 1996 election triggered considerable unease within the Australian public service, not only among departmental secretaries. Yet the environment which facilitated such changes had been evolving inexorably over several decades through legislative changes, debates fostered by official inquiries and the broader context of change in the Australian economy and workforce.A dispassionate review was called for to ensure that the important issues raised last year were indeed properly analysed, while standing back from the immediate emotions and avoiding any suggestion of inappropriate public debate between current senior public servants and the new government (and the new opposition).I believe the articles offered in this symposium provide a major contribution to that dispassionate review, and hope they receive the attention they deserve from the parliament and senior commentators on public affairs. They not only dissect the issues, but remind us importantly of several decades of public administration history in Australia, the UK and Canada.These introductory notes are not intended to express my personal views on the suggestions made, but to draw attention to some of the underlying themes and issues.
Departmental Secretaries in Canada and the United Kingdom1
Authors: Halligan John 
Published: March 2008

This report examines the formal processes by which appointments and terminations of departmental secretaries are undertaken in Canada and the United Kingdom. It is based on the reviews of official procedures in those countries and the literature on the subject. The report takes into account the practices which have prevailed in recent decades and related conditions of employment for deputy ministers in Canada and permanent secretaries in the United Kingdom. The main purpose of the report is to serve as a companion piece to the study by Patrick Weller and John Wanna of Australian departmental secretaries.It should be noted that these countries operate within a shared tradition, but that there are differences between them. For example, the Canadian tradition has not maintained the separation of the political and civil service careers to the same extent as the United Kingdom, although the latter has in the past relied on an elite socialisation process for both politicians and civil servants based on the education system.
Contracting Out and Accountability
Authors: Mulgan Richard 
Published: March 2008

Governments are increasingly moving to contract out the provision of public services which have previously been delivered by public service departments. Contracting out typically implies provision by private sector contractors. However, it may also include in‐house provision by public service departments or other public agencies where the right to provide is won through competitive tendering and is governed by contract. At the Commonwealth level, the trend has been given added impetus by the Coalition government elected in 1996 (Reith J 996; National Commission of Audit 1996).The main rationale for contracting out is to improve efficiency in service provision by harnessing the virtues of competition, in particular the superior productivity engendered among competitive providers (Industry Commission (IC) 1996, B3.4; Appendix E). At the same time, there is a legitimate expectation that providers of public services paid for by public funds will be publicly accountable (IC 1996, BI). However, contracting out has the potential to reduce the extent of public accountability by transferring the provision of public services to members of the private sector who are generally not subject to the same accountability requirements as public officials. Indeed, reduction in such accountability requirements may be one of the reasons for the greater efficiency of the private sector.
New Labour and Government in Britain: Change or Continuity?
Authors: Laffin Martin , Thomas Alys 
Published: March 2008

The 1997 British election marks a major change in British government. Eighteen years of Conservative rule had brought about growing inequality and social division and have generated powerful demands for new directions in public policy, especially in the areas of welfare and public administration. On welfare state reform Labour is constrained by election promises to restrain taxation and public expenditure. New Labour ministers influenced by the New Right have in any case largely rejected traditional social democratic redistributive strategies and are seeking instead new ways of reducing welfare dependency.The virulent spread of quangos at all levels of government and a marked increase in the centralisation of power in Whitehall have given a new impetus to demands for constitutional reform. Labour's response to these demands is a major program of regional devolution, House of Lords reform and open government measures.This article explains what ‘New Labour’ means and discusses New Labour policies on welfare and constitutional reform and their implications for the future of public administration in Britain.
Glial aromatization increases the expression of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 in the injured zebra finch brain
Authors: Walters Bradley J. , Saldanha Colin J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn songbirds, brain injury upregulates glial aromatase. The resulting local estrogen synthesis mitigates apoptosis and enhances cytogenesis by poorly understood mechanisms. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), long studied for their role in neural development, are also neuroprotective and cytogenic in the adult brain. BMPs remain uncharacterized in songbirds, as do the mechanisms regulating their post‐injury expression. We first established the expression of BMPs 2, 4, 6, and 7 in the adult zebra finch brain using RT‐PCR. Next, we determined the effect of neural insult on BMP expression, by comparing BMP transcripts between injured and uninjured telencephalic hemispheres using semi‐quantitative PCR. The expression of BMPs 2 and 4, but not 6 and 7, increased 24 h post‐injury. To determine the influence of aromatase on BMP expression, we compared BMP expression following delivery of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrozole or vehicle into contralateral hemispheres. Fadrozole decreased BMP2, but not BMP4, expression, suggesting that aromatization may induce BMP2 expression following injury. Since BMPs are gliogenic and neurotrophic, future studies will test if the neuroprotective and cytogenic effects of aromatase upregulation are mediated by BMP2. Songbirds may be excellent models towards understanding the role of local estrogen synthesis and its downstream mechanisms on neuroprotection and repair.
Relationship between muscle oxygenation and electromyography activity during sustained isometric contraction
Authors: Yamada Eiji , Kusaka Takashi , Arima Nobuo , Isobe Kenichi , Yamamoto Tetsuji , Itoh Susumu 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between electromyography (EMG) spectrum changes and muscle oxygenation measured by near‐infrared time‐resolved spectroscopy (TRS). Each subject performed sustained isometric knee extension at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction load for 1 min. Surface EMG and TRS were simultaneously recorded from the right vastus lateralis muscle. Mean power frequency (MPF) of the power spectrum was calculated every 5 s during isometric contraction using fast Fourier transform, and decrease in the slope of MPF for 1 min was calculated using the least squares method. The maximal changes in oxygenated haemoglobin and myoglobin (Oxy Hb/Mb) and in deoxygenated haemoglobin and myoglobin (Deoxy Hb/Mb) from pre‐contraction values of 1 min were calculated. There were significant relationships between the decrease in the slope of MPF and the maximal changes in Oxy Hb/Mb and Deoxy Hb/Mb (P < 0·05). These findings suggested that changes in Oxy Hb/Mb and Deoxy Hb/Mb indicate muscle fatigue assessed by EMG.
An Empirical Taxonomy of Hospital Governing Board Roles
Authors: Lee Shoou‐Yih D. , Alexander Jeffrey A. , Wang Virginia , Margolin Frances S. , Combes John R. 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To develop a taxonomy of governing board roles in U.S. hospitals.Data Sources. 2005 AHA Hospital Governance Survey, 2004 AHA Annual Survey of Hospitals, and Area Resource File.Study Design. A governing board taxonomy was developed using cluster analysis. Results were validated and reviewed by industry experts. Differences in hospital and environmental characteristics across clusters were examined.Data Extraction Methods. One‐thousand three‐hundred thirty‐four hospitals with complete information on the study variables were included in the analysis.Principal Findings. Five distinct clusters of hospital governing boards were identified. Statistical tests showed that the five clusters had high internal reliability and high internal validity. Statistically significant differences in hospital and environmental conditions were found among clusters.Conclusions. The developed taxonomy provides policy makers, health care executives, and researchers a useful way to describe and understand hospital governing board roles. The taxonomy may also facilitate valid and systematic assessment of governance performance. Further, the taxonomy could be used as a framework for governing boards themselves to identify areas for improvement and direction for change.