Power plays : Australian theatre and the public agenda

Power Plays capitalises on this moment of renewed and heightened interest by investigating the why and the how of eight contemporary Australian playwrights: Andrew Bovell, Patricia Cornelius, Reg Cribb, Ben Ellis, Wesley Enoch, Hannie Rayson, Stephen Sewell and Katherine Thomson. These writers are passionate about the theatre as a forum for public discussion and they interrogate current issues in their work. Their plays reflect the passing show of cultural, political and economic life in Australia, telling audiences something critical about what is going on: this is the state of play, this is what we are.

The author has conducted extensive interviews with these writers and offers an extended analysis of some of their recent plays.

The public management issues of access to electronic gaming machines (EGMs) : a case study of policy in Victoria, its effects and requirements for evaluation

Wynne and Schaffer (2003) have highlighted both the strong growth of gambling activity in recent years, and the revenue streams this has generated for governments and communities. Gambling activities and the revenues derived from them have, unsurprisingly, therefore also been seen as a way in which to increase economic development in deprived areas (Jinkner-Lloyd, 1996). Consequently, according to Brown et al (2003), gambling is now a large taxation revenue earner for many western governments, at both federal and state levels, worldwide (for example UK, USA, Australia). In size and importance, the Australian gambling industry in particular has grown significantly over the last three decades, experiencing a fourfold increase in real gambling turnover. There are, however, also concerns expressed about gambling and Electronic Gaming in particular, as illustrated in economic, social and ethical terms in Oddo (1997). There are also spatial aspects to understanding these issues. Marshall’s (1998) study, for example, highlights that benefits from gambling are more likely to accrue at the macro as opposed to the local level, because of centralised tax gathering and spending of tax revenues, whilst localities may suffer from displacement of activities with higher multipliers than the institutions with EGMs that replace them. This also highlights a regional context of costs, where benefits accrue to the centre, but the costs accrue to the regions and localities, as simultaneously resources leave those communities through both the gambling activities themselves (in the form of revenue for the EGM owners), and the government (through taxes).

Environmental and public health issues in Mount Isa : 2007 community survey

This report presents the results of a random telephone survey of 500 adult residents of Mount Isa, conducted in early November 2007. The study was funded by Xstrata Mount Isa Mines. The primary aim of the survey was to collect data about community perceptions and experiences of air quality in Mount Isa and to compare these results with those of a similar survey conducted in 2000 (MacLennan, Lloyd & Hensley, 2000). Both surveys also included questions relating to other aspects of the Mount Isa environment (e.g. water quality, heat, amount of greenery) as well as questions aimed at ascertaining respondents’ general attitudes towards environmental protection.

Learning how to be responsive to public policy issues affecting SSSI members

Human survival depends on human ingenuity in using resources at hand to sustain human life. The historical record – in wrings and archaeological artefacts – provides evidence of the growth and collapse of political organisations and societies. In the institutions of Western civilisation, some traditions have endured over millennia where the roles of monarchs and public officials have been organised in perpetual succession. These roles were developed as conventions in the British Parliament after 1295 and provided the models of corporate governance in both public and private enterprise that have been continuously refined to the present day. In 2011, the Queensland Parliament legislated to introduce a new and more open system of scrutiny of legislation through a system of portfolio-based parliamentary committees. The committees began to function more actively in July 2012 and have inviting submissions from stakeholders and experts in a structured way to consider the government’s priorities in its legislative programme. The questions now are whether the Surveying and Spatial Sciences can respond expertly to address the terms of reference and meet the timetables of the various parliamentary committees. This paper discusses some of the more important and urgent issues that deserve debate that the profession needs to address in becoming more responsive to matters of public policy.

[Effects of tobacco use on systemic health: relevant information for dentistry (II)--part 2: cardiovascular diseases and public health issues]

This is the sixth and concluding part of a series of publications from the Swiss task force named "Smoking - Intervention in the private dental office" on the topic "tobacco use and dental medicine". The focus of this review is the effects of smoking for the development of atherosclerosis as pathohistological correlate for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), arterial occlusive disease, and cerebrovascular diseases (stroke). Additionally, a causal relationship between tobacco use and an increased rate for complications during pregnancy and child birth will be discussed. Next to causal therapy of local and systemic diseases in general, an emphasis must be given to tobacco use prevention and cessation. Finally, important public health issues concerning smoking and tobacco use will be demonstrated, and options to improve the current situation will be presented.

The Illinois public agenda for college and career success /

... After a year of study, deliberation, and collaboration with literally hundreds of stakeholders in higher education and the state economy, the Public Agenda Task Force presented the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, which has statutory responsibility for master planning for higher education. On December 9, 2008, the Board unanimously endorsed the Public Agenda as the blueprint to guide education policy -- from preschool to graduate school -- in Illinois for the next decade.

Federal subsidies for public housing : issues and options.

Item 1005-C

Computer-based national information systems : technology and public policy issues, summary.

"OTA-CIT-147"--P. 4 of cover.

The Foodservice Industry's Social Responsibility Regarding the Obesity Epidemic, Part I: Parallels to Other Public Health Issues and Potential Legal Implications

The incidence of obesity among both children and adults in the United States (U.S.) has reached epidemic level. If not quickly curtailed, it represents significant long-term costs to all facets of the U.S. economy. The foodservice industry has contributed to this major public health issue. Parallels between the obesity epidemic and the public health issues of smoking and foodborne illnesses could influence the foodservice industry's response to obesity concerns. Of particular note are the parallels between the liability litigation and legislative actions related to smoking and the tobacco industry. This industry has a history of taking socially responsible actions regarding public health issues. There is potential for costs to the foodservice industry from similar anti-obesity litigation and legislation if the industry does not once again assume social responsibility relative to the current obesity crisis and is not proactive in efforts to combat obesity

Las transformaciones de la política educativa nacional en los años de la democracia

En este artículo la autora revisa los diferentes modos en que se pensó la relación de educación y democracia a lo largo de los años de régimen democrático que se inician en 1984. Con este fin, Guillermina Tiramonti considera tres períodos en los que esa relación se pensó desde parámetros totalmente diferentes. El primer período se caracteriza por una hegemonía política que se resuelve en la antinomia autoritarismo-democracia, dos términos con los que se delimita un pasado que se quiere abandonar y un futuro que se considera deseable. El segundo período es el de la reforma educativa, que tiene una impronta modernizadora definida en términos de cambio de la ingeniería organizativa del sistema educativo y de las subjetividades. Hay un tercer período al que la autora denomina "Después de los noventa" en virtud de la eficacia de la reestructuración producida en esa década, lo que le permite marcar el nuevo período, en el que la relación democracia y educación se define a la luz de las exigencias de la gobernabilidad. Finalmente se proponen algunas ideas para la reconstrucción de una agenda para la discusión y procesamiento en la esfera pública.

Las transformaciones de la política educativa nacional en los años de la democracia

En este artículo la autora revisa los diferentes modos en que se pensó la relación de educación y democracia a lo largo de los años de régimen democrático que se inician en 1984. Con este fin, Guillermina Tiramonti considera tres períodos en los que esa relación se pensó desde parámetros totalmente diferentes. El primer período se caracteriza por una hegemonía política que se resuelve en la antinomia autoritarismo-democracia, dos términos con los que se delimita un pasado que se quiere abandonar y un futuro que se considera deseable. El segundo período es el de la reforma educativa, que tiene una impronta modernizadora definida en términos de cambio de la ingeniería organizativa del sistema educativo y de las subjetividades. Hay un tercer período al que la autora denomina "Después de los noventa" en virtud de la eficacia de la reestructuración producida en esa década, lo que le permite marcar el nuevo período, en el que la relación democracia y educación se define a la luz de las exigencias de la gobernabilidad. Finalmente se proponen algunas ideas para la reconstrucción de una agenda para la discusión y procesamiento en la esfera pública.

Las transformaciones de la política educativa nacional en los años de la democracia

En este artículo la autora revisa los diferentes modos en que se pensó la relación de educación y democracia a lo largo de los años de régimen democrático que se inician en 1984. Con este fin, Guillermina Tiramonti considera tres períodos en los que esa relación se pensó desde parámetros totalmente diferentes. El primer período se caracteriza por una hegemonía política que se resuelve en la antinomia autoritarismo-democracia, dos términos con los que se delimita un pasado que se quiere abandonar y un futuro que se considera deseable. El segundo período es el de la reforma educativa, que tiene una impronta modernizadora definida en términos de cambio de la ingeniería organizativa del sistema educativo y de las subjetividades. Hay un tercer período al que la autora denomina "Después de los noventa" en virtud de la eficacia de la reestructuración producida en esa década, lo que le permite marcar el nuevo período, en el que la relación democracia y educación se define a la luz de las exigencias de la gobernabilidad. Finalmente se proponen algunas ideas para la reconstrucción de una agenda para la discusión y procesamiento en la esfera pública.

Global Internet governance and the public interest in communication

Élaborée à partir d’une étude de cas extensive focalisant sur les perspectives multiples et concurrentes ayant émergé lors des négociations sur la gouvernance de l’Internet, thématique ayant dominé l’agenda politique du Sommet mondial sur la société de l’information (SMSI), cette thèse examine les manières avec lesquelles les débats mondiaux sur la gouvernance de l’Internet influencent la notion d’intérêt public en communication. Établie sur la base d’une observation participante extensive, d’entrevues semi-structurées et de l’analyse d’une documentation formelle et informelle associée au SMSI, cette thèse fait état de l’émergence des enjeux associés à la gouvernance de l’Internet au SMSI et présente une analyse approfondie des négociations ayant porté sur cet enjeu. Le cadre théorique développé par Lawrence Lessig au travers duquel « le code est la loi » est appliqué afin d’expliquer comment les différents acteurs ont débattu et ultimement atteint un consensus sur les frontières venant séparer les enjeux normatifs de politique publique et les questions techniques de régulation et de gestion du réseau. Cette thèse discute également de l’évolution des débats autour de la gouvernance mondiale de l’Internet ayant pris place à la suite de la conclusion du SMSI. Sur la base de cette étude de cas, un ensemble de conclusions sont formulées sur les acteurs et les caractéristiques institutionnelles ayant influencé les négociations sur la gouvernance de l’internet. Il est également suggéré que le SMSI a redéfini une discussion étroite sur la gestion d’un ensemble de fonctions techniques de l’Internet en un domaine de politique publique plus large de gouvernance mondiale de l’Internet. Il est également défendu que la notion d’intérêt public dans la gouvernance mondiale de l’Internet est conceptualisée autour des processus de participation et d’intégration des différentes parties prenantes au processus politique. Les implications directes et indirectes qui découlent de ce constat pour comprendre plus largement la notion d’intérêt public dans le domaine de la communication sont également présentées et discutées. En conclusion, cette thèse s’interroge sur les implications programmatiques des éléments ayant été précédemment soulevées pour la recherche médiatique et communicationnelle.