Numerical assessment in the wild: insights from social carnivores

Playback experiments have proven to be a useful tool to investigate the extent to which wild animals understand numerical concepts and the factors that play into their decisions to respond to different numbers of vocalizing conspecifics. In particular, playback experiments have broadened our understanding of the cognitive abilities of historically understudied species that are challenging to test in the traditional laboratory, such as members of the Order Carnivora. Additionally, playback experiments allow us to assess the importance of numerical information versus other ecologically important variables when animals are making adaptive decisions in their natural habitats. Here, we begin by reviewing what we know about quantity discrimination in carnivores from studies conducted in captivity. We then review a series of playback experiments conducted with wild social carnivores, including African lions, spotted hyenas, and wolves, which demonstrate that these animals can assess the number of conspecifics calling and respond based on numerical advantage. We discuss how the wild studies compliment those conducted in captivity and allow us to gain insights into why wild animals may not always respond based solely on differences in quantity. We then consider the key role that individual discrimination and cross-modal recognition play in the ability of animals to assess the number of conspecifics vocalizing nearby. Finally, we explore new directions for future research in this area, highlighting in particular the need for further work on the cognitive basis of numerical assessment skills and experimental paradigms that can be effective in both captive and wild settings

Impact of the GST and the First Home Owner's Scheme on the Housing Industry

This Research Note examines the impact of the GST and the First Home Owners\u27 Scheme on the housing industry by analysing trends in new dwelling approvals, housing finance commitments for dwellings and actual work done in the building industry in the 12 months to June 2001. The Note also examines the eligibility criteria for the grant provided under the First Home Owners\u27 Scheme, the level of usage of the grant by new home buyers in individual states and territories, the cost to taxpayers of the grant and its influence on levels of building activity

Labour force participation of women over 45

Mature aged women have greatly increased their participation in paid employment over the past three decades. This report looks at the causes and impact of this continuing trend. The contribution to total hours worked by people of working age of women aged 45 to 64 years has increased from just over 6 per cent in 1979 to almost 15 per cent in 2009. Moreover, their contribution increased relative to other age groups, with their share of total hours worked by women of working age rising from 21 per cent to 38 per cent. These trends reflect greater societal acceptance of women in the workforce, increased education levels of women and greater diversity of household living arrangements. Increasing involvement of mature aged women in the workforce is also related to greater diversity in working arrangements, including growth in part time employment and increased workplace flexibility. In summary, the survey evidence of mature aged women’s reasons for retiring and the international evidence of participation rates and eligibility ages for pensions suggest that changing age pension eligibility requirements will be factors for consideration by some mature aged women when deciding to retire. But the extent to which such changes will increase the overall participation rate of mature aged women is uncertain. Many other factors also affect the decision of mature aged women to retire. They include sufficient workplace flexibility to allow working hours to be tailored to individual preferences, whether their partner is working, whether they have caring responsibilities and their own health status

The Labour Market for Teenage Youth

The teenage youth labour market contrasts strongly with the labour market for persons aged 20 and over. Unemployment rates have traditionally been much higher for youth than for the general population. A high proportion of teenage youth are also involved in full-time education which can preclude them from the full-time labour market. This Research Note examines the impact that participation in full-time education can have on the full-time unemployment rate for teenage youth and analyses trends in the labour market for youth over the last 15 to 20 years

Deep and persistent disadvantage in Australia

Overview This paper is about disadvantage in Australia, and in particular, about Australians who experience deep and persistent disadvantage. Strong economic growth is a way of increasing living standards and opportunities. Yet despite growing levels of prosperity over the last two decades, and the unemployment rate more than halving, there are concerns within the community that some Australians are being ‘left behind’. Headline statistics on Australia’s most disadvantaged people frequently appear in the media, with the number of Australians living below the poverty line being often quoted. But little attention is given to explaining what lies behind these statistics, how much of the story they tell, and the judgments that sit behind them. Poverty, for example, focuses on just one facet of disadvantage and the basis for drawing a line between those living in poverty and those who are not is not always clear. Nor is it often explained that many of the headline statistics provide a static picture of disadvantage. But what happens over time matters. For example, people can move in and out of disadvantage relatively quickly — such as when they first enter the workforce — while others can remain disadvantaged for extended periods of time. Following the same people over a number of years is critical to understanding deep and persistent disadvantage. Understanding why people become (and remain) disadvantaged, and the consequences of disadvantage, is challenging. Many of the factors are interlinked, and when combined, can have a compounding effect. Measuring the costs of disadvantage, and who bears them, is also far from straightforward. A lack of understanding about disadvantage can contribute to misplaced community concerns. It can also be an impediment to good public policy. Sound policy development should be built on an evidence-based understanding of the nature, depth and persistence of disadvantage and the costs it imposes on individuals and the broader Australian community. Support for people who are disadvantaged and the funding of programs to overcome disadvantage can also involve large amounts of taxpayers’ money