What's law got to do with it Part 2: Legal strategies for healthier nutrition and obesity prevention

This article is the second in a two-part review of law's possible role in a regulatory approach to healthier nutrition and obesity prevention in Australia. As discussed in Part 1, law can intervene in support of obesity prevention at a variety of levels: by engaging with the health care system, by targeting individual behaviours, and by seeking to influence the broader, socio-economic and environmental factors that influence patterns of behaviour across the population. Part 1 argued that the most important opportunities for law lie in seeking to enhance the effectiveness of a population health approach

Sustainable management by the Commonwealth of water resources

On 20 August 2009 the Senate instructed the Standing Committee on Environment and Communications to inquire and report on the ability of the Commonwealth, across state borders, to sustainably manage water resources in the national interest, with particular reference to: a) the issuing, and sustainability of water licences under any government draft resource plans and water resource plans; b) the effect of relevant agreements and Commonwealth environmental legislation on the issuing of water licences, trading rights or further extraction of water from river systems; c) the collection, collation and analysis and dissemination of information about Australia\u27s water resources, and the use of such information in the granting of water rights; d) the issuing of water rights by the states in light of Commonwealth purchases of water rights; and e) any other related matters. The Murray-Darling Basin Plan must be based on the best available science, and a precautionary approach is needed, according to this Senate committee report.&nbsp

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2007 and Radio Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2007

The strong growth of digital technology over the past decade has resulted in a requirement for broadcasting services to convert from analogue to digital technology. While provision has been made for the transfer of television broadcasts to digital, until now no provision had been made for the transfer of radio broadcasting. The transition to digital is arguable the most important strategic issue facing Australian radio since the introduction of Frequency Modulated (FM) services in the 1970s and early 1980s. Radio broadcasting has an established and unique position in the Australian media landscape. It is the most ubiquitous of all media, being found in virtually every home, car and workplace in the country. Digitisation is transforming all media and communications sectors, enabling the delivery of a common range of audio-visual, entertainment and information services to an increasingly more engaged, demanding and fragmented audience. This is no more evident than in radio, where evolving digital technologies, such as MP3 players and iPods – are changing listening patterns and re-shaping the way audio content is created, distributed and listened to. Submissions to this inquiry were very supportive of the bill\u27s intent and the majority of its provisions. Broadcasters generally were positive about the capabilities that the new digital medium will give them in terms of content and new services

The koala – saving our national icon

This report examines the committee\u27s inquiry into the status, health and sustainability of one of Australia\u27s most loved and iconic native animals – the koala. The committee was surprised by the complexity of this multifaceted issue. Many features and factors influence Australia\u27s koala population. For instance in some areas (such as Queensland\u27s Mulga  Lands) their population is in sharp decline, whilst in others (such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia) their numbers are being actively managed because of an overabundance and resulting over-browsing. A key challenge is the paucity of data on the national koala population. The koala\u27s diversity is another aspect of added complexity, with northern  koalas being far more diverse than their southern cousins. The range of threats is also varied, for example habitat loss, disease and motor vehicle strikes. As a result there are no easy solutions.   The duration and level of interest generated  by this inquiry is an indication of the complexity of the issues raised. On four occasions the committee extended its reporting timeframe in order to gather more evidence and to conclude its deliberations. Image: stephbond / flickr &nbsp

Government response to the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport.

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Parliamentary statement : spectrum management reform

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The Government's supplementary response to the report from the House of Representatives..

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