Issue 3, 14/01/09

Julian Leeser Executive Director Menzies Research Centre

Your Support is Welcome

Dear reader,

Welcome to the first edition of Foresight for 2009.  In 2009 Foresight will be coming to you once a month. 

Today we are releasing our new publication by Hon Dr Gary Johns No Job No House An economically Strategic Approach to Remote Aboriginal Housing and details.  Also we are announcing details of the Inaugural John Howard lecture, to be delivered by Mr Howard on 19 February in Melbourne (see below for details). 

We have lots of exciting publications planned for release in the next few months including Don’t Leave Us With the Bill: The Case Against a Bill of Rights for Australia; Margaret Fitzherbert’s So Many Firsts: Liberal Women from Menzies to Turnbull analysing the contribution of women to Australian politics; and Graeme Starr’s Variety and Choice Good Schools for All Australians- a history of the state aid debate..  Keep your contributions to our website coming through the Policy Forum and I wish the government would.

Aboriginal Housing in Remote Communities

This edition of Foresight coincides with the launch of No Job No House An economically Strategic Approach to Remote Aboriginal Housing. This new publication by former Keating Government Minister, Hon Dr Gary Johns, provides an original contribution to the debate on aboriginal housing. The paper provides a thorough analysis of the 2006 Census figures. The analysis establishes that there is a misallocation of housing in remote communities and this has, in part, created a housing shortage. The paper considers whether continuing to spend money on Aboriginal housing in remote communities without linking the housing to employment opportunities is feasible.  Johns finds a direct link between Aboriginal housing and job shortages in remote areas. He argues that while some jobs exist in remote areas they tend to be highly skilled jobs for which Aborigines are not qualified. Dr Johns also establishes that many remote communities are failing. Young people are leaving these communities for better opportunities and to move away from the serious social problems associated with them. Johns concludes with recommendations about the future construction of housing and recommends a policy of linking housing to employment. Gary Johns is also our guest in this month’s Policy Forum. We welcome your feedback on his ideas.

Inaugural John  Howard Lecture 19 February 2009

The Menzies Research Centre has decided to name an annual lecture after Hon John Howard AC, Prime Minister of Australia (1996-2007). The lecture will feature a distinguished Australian or international thinker presenting a thought provoking, topical address dealing with issues of current and future importance to Australia’s prosperity and security.  The lecture will take place in a different capital city each year.  We hope that the lecture will become one of the great events on the Australian policy and political calendar.

The Inaugural lecture, Australian Liberalism for the 21^st Century will be delivered by Mr Howard. At the conclusion of the lecture the federal Liberal Leader, Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, will propose a vote of thanks.

The lecture will be held on Thursday 19 February 2009 at Centenary Hall, 104 Exhibition St Melbourne Vic 3000, at 6.00pm.  Tickets are $55.00 (including GST). To register click here.

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The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Menzies Research Centre or the Liberal Party of Australia. Research and analysis produced by other organizations and reported in Foresight in no way implies the endorsement of the Menzies Research Centre or the Liberal Party of Australia. The Menzies Research Centre disclaims any liability for any statement made in this publication. The use of the materials or any information, in whole or in part, contained on this publication is your sole responsibility. The Menzies Research Centre Ltd disclaims any liability for any damages whatsoever including without limitation direct, indirect, incidental and/or consequential damages resulting from your use of materials and/or the information provided in this publication.