Means and ends: macroeconomic theory and the Australian Labor party’s social democratic ideology

This thesis contributes to the existing academic debate concerned with the ideological continuity (or discontinuity) of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). However, while much of this debate is primarily concerned with whether or not successive federal ALP governments have adhered to a form of socialist ideology, this thesis pursues a related but distinct line of ideological enquiry. It assesses the relative influences of Keynesian and market liberal macroeconomic theories upon the policy-making and ideology of successive federal ALP governments. The scope of this study spans the period since the macroeconomic controversy between these two theories began during the Great Depression and the period of the Scullin Labor Government (1929-1932). This analysis provides new insights into our understanding of the continuity which has existed in ALP ideology over time, and thereby adds to the existing literature on this subject. The thesis argues that although successive federal ALP governments have been periodically influenced by either Keynesian or market liberal theories, all have sought to use these theories to uphold the ALP’s key ideological objective of attempting to improve the living standards of the Party’s traditional constituency: defined as working people and their dependents. However, this thesis also establishes that while Keynesian and market liberal theories have offered successive federal ALP governments with cogent policy tool kits, designed to avoid or ameliorate the capitalist economy’s business cycle, the policy application of either theory has presented these governments with recurring and significant policy challenges. The challenges most consistently encountered in the implementation of Keynesian policies have been those associated with the timely deployment of cost-effective stimulatory public works programs, and those associated with overcoming the perceptions that Keynesian policy interventions are futile, wasteful, inefficient and inflationary. In relation to market liberal policies, this thesis argues that the Hawke Government’s implementation of the market liberal policies of fiscal and monetary restraints, and financial market deregulation, facilitated and then significantly contributed to the depth of the severe recession experienced during the early-1990s. Moreover, it is argued that this episode revealed that when timely and effective Keynesian stimulatory action is not taken, market forces can be slow to produce an employment recovery. This thesis concludes that although key Labor politicians believed that market liberal policies were not inconsistent with the ALP’s social democratic ideology, they have proven less reliable in maintaining the macroeconomic and employment stability required to improve the living standards of the Party’s working constituents. The evidence assessed in this thesis alternatively suggests that the Rudd Government’s successful handling of the Global Financial Crisis provides a valuable case study for the ongoing usefulness of Keynesian macroeconomics. While the effective implementation of Keynesian policies presents ongoing challenges for future federal ALP governments, this thesis concludes that there are strong grounds on which to defend Keynesian policies, given their capacity to both protect Australian workers’ job security in times of crisis, and facilitate sustainable economic growth over the longer-term.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 2017

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF COLOUR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IMAGES: THE RELATIONSHIP OF VASCULAR FLOW TO OVARIAN STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTION IN BUFFALO COWS AND BEEF CALVES

The main objective of this thesis was to develop a three-dimensional method to assess ovarian structures and relate their vascularity to their function (i.e. hormone production, oocyte quality, ovulatory capacity, etc.). This novel method uses video segments recorded after free-hand movement of the routine linear-array transducer, obtained vascularity index values are independent of speed of transducer movement, and the method does not require a-priori operator selection of images, i.e. is an objective method. In Study 1, colour Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the ovaries of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) who were induced to ovulate using a gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed daily to assess ovulation and subsequent corpus luteum (CL) development. Recorded cineloops were exported from the ultrasound machine and analyzed on a personal computer equipped with imaging software from two sources, Fiji (ImageJ) and Imaris. Fiji was used to perform conventional two-dimensional image analysis and Imaris was used to develop a new three-dimensional analysis method that does not require operator selection of images (i.e. objective method). Verification of the three-dimensional method was performed using two-dimensional data. Buffalo that did not ovulate within 24 hours of artificial insemination (40h from time of gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue treatment) (n=3) tended to have lower change in vascular flow (P=0.06) to their preovulatory follicles when compared to those that ovulated (n=13) using the three-dimensional analysis method. In Study 2, power Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the ovaries of 4-month-old prepubertal beef heifers (Bos taurus) who were superstimulated using two follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) protocols. Ultrasonographic scans were performed on the day of luteinizing hormone (LH) treatment, the day of oocyte collection, and the third and seventh day following follicular aspiration. The three-dimensional method developed in Study 1 was used to calculate vascularity indices for the four time points. Ovarian vascularity was then related to the expansion of the cumulus-oocyte-complexes that were retrieved, as well as the subsequent luteal tissue that developed following follicle aspiration. Luteal vascularity index measured at three days following follicular aspiration were related to the rise in plasma progesterone concentration over time (from 24 h following LH to day seven after aspiration) (r=0.65, P<0.01). Prepubertal calves demonstrated an increase in ovarian vascularity index under the influence of exogenous LH that was similar to adult animals. Additionally, an increased duration of superstimulation (seven days instead of four) was important for calves in the development of luteal tissue on day seven, luteal vascularity and progesterone production. In conclusion, three-dimensional image analysis of colour Doppler ultrasound images was superior to two-dimensional in detecting follicles that did not ovulate. This method using power Doppler ultrasound images was also applied to prepubertal calves undergoing superstimulation and found that luteal vascular flow was related to progesterone production following follicular aspiration

Power in the Land

In 1542 William Ramsden bought his wife’s family home at Longley and so began a long association between the Ramsdens and Huddersfield which lasted until Sir John Frecheville Ramsden sold his greatly increased Huddersfield estate to the Corporation in 1920. This collection of essays is published to commemorate the centenary of that event. Seven local historians examine different aspects of the Ramsden family’s relationship with the town and its inhabitants, especially in the nineteenth century.  The book incorporates new research and gives fresh insights into the events which led to Huddersfield becoming ‘the town that bought itself’ a century ago

The writing on the wall: the concealed communities of the East Yorkshire horselads

This paper examines the graffiti found within late nineteenth and early-twentieth century farm buildings in the Wolds of East Yorkshire. It suggests that the graffiti were created by a group of young men at the bottom of the social hierarchy - the horselads – and was one of the ways in which they constructed a distinctive sense of communal identity, at a particular stage in their lives. Whilst it tells us much about changing agricultural regimes and social structures, it also informs us about experiences and attitudes often hidden from official histories and biographies. In this way, the graffiti are argued to inform our understanding, not only of a concealed community, but also about their hidden histor

From problems in the North to the problematic North : Northern devolution through the lens of history

Current debates about Northern English cities and their role in national economic strategies cannot be read simply through the lens of contemporary politics. We therefore take the Northern Powerhouse as our starting point in a chapter which traces a long history of policy and planning discourses about the North of England. We use David Russell’s chronology of key historical moments in which Northern English cities hold a particular charge in cultural narratives of the nation to guide our analysis of contemporaneous tensions in debates about planning and governance. A focus on representations about the North of England over the course of the last two centuries reveals four interlocking themes: namely the role of London in directing debates about the North; a tension between political and spatial approaches to planning; the characterisation of cities in the North of England as intrinsically problematic places; and the continued issue of poverty in these cities

Towards the development of a manufacturing failure mode avoidance framework for aerospace manufacturing

A process based management strategy is crucial to enable productivity and cost effectiveness enhancement in high value manufacturing. This paper introduces a Manufacturing Failure Mode Avoidance (MFMA) framework based on four high level steps, underpinned by a series of structured tools to support a structured function-based decomposition of complex manufacturing processes and a continuous flow of information towards the development of robust control plans. The approach draws from experience from the automotive industry where Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) has been adopted as a strategy to achieve a step change in the effectiveness of business and engineering processes associated with the product creation process. The paper illustrates a pilot implementation of the MFMA framework on a case study for the manufacturing of an aerospace component, followed by a discussion of the broader applicability of the framework and directions for further work

Effective road pavement design for expansive soils in Ipswich

[Abstract]: Ipswich City is located in south-east Queensland and is underlain by predominantly impermeable subsoils which cause periodic subsurface water-logging and typically classified as expansive, CH and MH soils. Council has battled with effective pavement design and construction due to poor subgrade behaviour. Unbound pavements are historically the dominant design used in Ipswich and are typically based on the AUSTROADS and Department of Transport and Main Roads manuals and experience. The subgrade of any foundation plays an important role in load bearing and support of traffic and pavement construction over expansive clays requires a suitable working platform to enable machinery to operate. Studies show the use of safe bearing capacity for subgrade assessment does not suit CH soils. Subgrade treatment needs to be a mandatory consideration coupled with using the lowest CBR readings to provide the maximum pavement thickness. The most effective method of subgrade treatment currently appears to be geosynthetics placed on the subgrade. The latest Austroads and Department of Transport and Main Roads manuals align with current world best practice for pavement design and it is recommended the latest versions continue to be used for new pavements. The Ipswich Planning Scheme Policy should refer directly to these documents and be specific for Ipswich soils, i.e. the greater depth pavement should be chosen based on a low CBR value and realistic design ESA's number. On expansive soils, a flexible surface should be constructed on an impermeable membrane or layer since flexible bases experience fatigue which can be easily maintained whereas rigid bases can crack rapidly and to the detriment of the entire foundation. Identification of the cause of pavement failure is necessary to determine the appropriate rehabilitation method for a failed pavement. Council should consider sustainable rehabilitation methods that maintain a flexible pavement with asphalt surfacing

The Rudd government: Strengthening Labor's social democratic ideology through Keynesian postulates

Thomas Caunc