Search Results

In October 1992 the Prime Minister invited the Committee to undertake an independent inquiry into a national competition policy, following the agreement by Australian Governments on the need for such a policy. This report of the inquiry reflects written submissions from nearly 150 organisations and individuals from around Australia as well as consultations with senior representatives of all Australian Governments and many industry, professional, trade union, consumer and other organisations. The inquiry found strong and widespread community support for implementing an effective national competition policy. There is a significant awareness of the opportunities such a policy offers Australia to improve international competitiveness and hence living standards. Contents: Towards a national competition policy; Part one, 'Competitive conduct rules': Overview of competitive conduct rules; Anti-competitive agreements; Misuse of market power, mergers and other rules; Scope of application: principles and issues; Scope of application: review by sectors and activity; Enforcement; Part two, 'Additional policy elements': Overview of additional policy elements; Regulatory restrictions on competition; Structural reform of public monopolies; Access to 'essential facilities'; Monopoly pricing; Competitive neutrality; Part three, 'Implementation': Institutional arrangements; Legal, transitional and resource issues. Show less

This Agreement represents shared priorities between the Australian and state and territory governments in partnership with business and industry for vocational and technical education in Australia. It reinforces the commitment of these governments to support the implementation of new national training arrangements from 1 July 2005. This Agreement also demonstrates their commitment to work collaboratively in areas of national priority that support the long-term objectives for the training system as set out in Shaping Our Future, Australia's National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 2004-2010 [available in VOCEDplus at TD/LMR 85.685]. The Agreement is being tabled in accordance with requirements of the Skilling Australia's Workforce Act 2005 [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 83.246]. Included with the Agreement is the Framework for the New National Training System. The Framework has been agreed between governments and was developed following consultation with business and industry as well as other stakeholders and sets out arrangements for the operation of a national approach to training.

'Skilling Australia's Workforce 2005-08' mid-term review is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 93.121. Show less

TAFE Futures is a national inquiry into the future of the public TAFE system. The Inquiry was commissioned by the Australian Education Union (AEU) in 2006 to determine how TAFE can best operate in the future to ensure it is meeting the skills and education needs of its students, employers and local communities. The key findings of the Inquiry include: TAFE is working well with students and employers, indicating high levels of satisfaction at the service provided; two-thirds of employers want training done through TAFE; the federal government remains largely hostile to TAFE, continuing to favour policy responses to skills shortages that marginalise TAFE and providing funding opportunities that favour private providers; courses and services are being cut due to lack of funds; significant re-thinking is required about some of the national directions for training packages and the application of aspects of competency-based training; fees and charges are a barrier to the participation of many in the community who need general education and training; the TAFE workforce is one of the most casualised in the economy and these high levels of casualisation are counterproductive in maintaining a quality and accessible provider; and the squeeze on resources has eroded TAFE's commitment to access, equity and social justice. The contents are: The TAFE Futures Inquiry: a dialogue about the future with those who make TAFE work; Part A: The TAFE story and the challenges of continuity and change; Part B: What Australians say about TAFE: a summary of national consultations; Part C: What Australians say about TAFE: a summary of submissions; Part D: New futures for TAFE: renewal and change. Included as appendices are: Current research on partnerships in VET and TAFE: opportunities for the future of TAFE; Terms of reference for the TAFE Future Inquiry; Bibliography. Show less

On 28 May 1993, the then Prime Minister Paul Keating commissioned the Committee on Employment Opportunities to assess and report on the state of the Australian labour market and options for addressing unemployment and improving labour market programs and income and other support for the unemployed. Special attention was to be given to the problem of long-term unemployment. The Review considered in particular: (a) the economic outlook and the implications for the labour market; (b) developments in the Australian labour market since the 1960s, including: demographic changes; changes in the labour force participation, employment and education experiences of males and females, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, migrants, sole parents, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, and different age groups; changes in employment levels and patterns, including an examination of the strong growth in part-time employment and regional differences; changes in the types and location of jobs being created and lost; characteristics and location of unemployed, discouraged and underemployed workers; the emergence of long-term unemployment; and the effect on income distribution and living standards of the changing patterns of employment and unemployment; (c) the medium term outlook for the Australia labour market; (d) the trends in the labour market in other OECD countries and an examination of policy responses; (e) the efficiency and effectiveness of: existing measures to assist the unemployed, including labour market, education and training programs; income support; and other forms of support; and the delivery of programs and services of assistance for the unemployed; (f) policy options to respond to the implications of labour market changes, taking into account programs and services provided by other sectors; and (g) options for financing labour market and other support programs for the unemployed.

This report from the Committee explains the choices and trade-offs Australia would need to make to restore full employment, and offers a range of ideas for alleviating the problem of long-term unemployment.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less