Conflict between Independent Scrutinisers of Transport Megaprojects: Evidence from Australia

If, in the context of an ‘audit explosion’, public sector projects are subject to multiple and uncoordinated forms of independent scrutiny, then the different scrutinisers could reach contradictory conclusions, adopt incompatible methods, and ultimately provide less effective oversight. In the Australian state of Victoria, three independent scrutiny mechanisms operate concurrently on transport megaprojects. The three mechanisms – performance auditing, probity auditing and gateway reviews – are not coordinated and yet have overlapping goals relating to integrity and value for money. This paper describes the three scrutiny mechanisms, before presenting evidence that the mechanisms can generate contradictory conclusions that remain unreconciled, and that the mechanisms conflict in ways that affect the viability of at least one of the mechanisms. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for Europe and directions for future research. &nbsp

The evolving role of EU Regional Policy: Implications for Australia?

In 2013, ANZJES published an article on the significance of European Union (EU) Regional Policy in the process of European integration and its implications for Asia. Over the past decade, EU Regional Policy has evolved considerably. It is still centred on facilitating European integration, but also assumes a much more central role in focusing attention on harnessing resources, intellectual and economic, in order to address major societal missions. Regional Policy, or Cohesion, funds constitute approximately one third of the total European Commission budget and are, therefore, not only an important resource for integration, but also for addressing the wider priorities around the European Green Deal, and indeed, the planet. This is evident in the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework agreed by the European Council for 2021-27, in which Cohesion funding is seen to be a crucial resource for economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. This article reviews the evolution of this thinking in the last decade and considers its growing international significance. Whilst not necessarily imagined in 2010, when the EU established its European External Action Service (EEAS), a focus on regions and their innovation systems has enabled the EU to strengthen its global influence significantly

Teaching and Learning: The Approaches of a Modern Environmental Regulator

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA Victoria), located in Melbourne Australia and established in 1971, is the world’s third oldest environment protection agency. Like any organisation operating for more than four decades, EPA Victoria has had to change and consider contemporary approaches to its teaching and learning practices for staff engaged in regulatory or enforcement positions. This paper considers the period from 2011 to 2015 which included an Ombudsmen Review in 2011 which was preceded by a Compliance and Enforcement Review. Both reviews led to a range of activities, initiatives and practices being taken by EPA Victoria in its journey to becoming a modern environmental regulator. Particular attention is directed to the pedagogical efficacy of EPA Victoria’s Authorised Officer Induction Program (AOIP), which teaches trainee environment protection officers (EPOs). The AOIP is a structured learning program that blends formal and informal learning, theoretical and practical learning, self-directed and peer learning, and individual and social learning. The AOIP created an experiential learning environment that not only fostered the construction of the required knowledge and skills but also sought to engender the desired behaviours EPOs need to succeed in their frontline field force roles. This paper also considers EPA Victoria’s recruitment and continuing professional development practices as important elements in the organisation’s teaching and learning continuum. The aim was to identify opportunities for other environmental protection agencies, environmental regulators, and regulators more broadly, to learn from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s experience to improve the capability of their regulatory or enforcement staff

Debt is not a dirty word: the role and use of debt in local government

This research suggests the sensible use of debt by local councils can address infrastructure backlogs and positively support sustainable local communities and organisation performance. The aim of the project has been to support the Australian local government sector contend with the increasingly complex financial arrangements and considerations required to viably operate a contemporary local council now and into the future. The research builds upon the landmark ACELG paper, In Our Hands, Strengthening Local Government Revenue for the 21st Century. Key chapters include financial fundamentals; review of local government debt and financial performance; local government debt management theory; local government debt management practices.  The research was overseen by a reference group that included senior representatives from all local government jurisdictions. ACELG will continue this consultative approach in gaining feedback about the research findings, and a series of workshops and presentations are planned

Towards a Duty of Care for Biodiversity

ABSTRACT The decline in biodiversity is a worldwide phenomenon, with current rates of species extinction more dramatic than any previously recorded. Habitat loss has been identified as the major cause of biodiversity decline. In this article we suggest that a statutory duty of care would complement the current mix of policy options for biodiversity conservation. Obstacles hindering the introduction of a statutory duty of care include linguistic ambiguity about the terms "duty of care" and "stewardship" and how they are applied in a natural resource management context, and the absence of a mechanism to guide its implementation. Drawing on international literature and key informant interviews we have articulated characteristics of duty of care to reduce linguistic ambiguity, and developed a framework for implementing a duty of care for biodiversity at the regional scale. The framework draws on key elements of the common law "duty of care", the concepts of "taking reasonable care" and "avoiding foreseeable harm", into its logic. Core elements of the framework include desired outcomes for biodiversity, supported by current recommended practices. The focus on outcomes provides opportunities for the development of innovative management practices. The framework incorporates multiple pathways for the redress of non-compliance including tiered negative sanctions, and positive measures to encourage compliance. Importantly, the framework addresses the need for change and adaptation that is a necessary part of biodiversity management.

Major urban transport expenditure initiatives: where are the returns likely to be strongest and how significant is social exclusion in making the case?

This paper explores whether the benefits from major urban transport spending increases are likely to differ greatly, depending on whether that spending prioritises light rail, a mode with growing interest and several new services recently developed in Australia, major road network improvement or provision of additional bus services. It does this through a series of case studies based on Sydney, using MetroScan, an integrated transport and land use strategic model system. MetroScan is the most sophisticated strategic integrated land use, transport and economic system evaluation model in Australia, with the capability of exploring dynamic interactions between transport improvements, residential locations and job locations, among other things. We specifically focus on the impacts of major transport initiatives on reducing risks that people will be socially excluded because of poor mobility opportunities

Community and marine conservation in South Africa: Are we still missing the mark?

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa have a long history with currently 5% of the mainland’s ocean territory protected. The MPAs are celebrated and appreciated for their representative coverage of several habitat types and their ecological benefits. However, the story of correlational coastal community exclusion is not one that is often told in the ‘success’ story of South African MPAs. In this review we describe the history of marine conservation in South Africa and examine how the legislation and motivation has evolved since Apartheid

Hubungan Religiusitas dan Status Sosial Ekonomi Dengan Kesejahteraan Psikologi Siswa SMP Negeri 6 Binjai

76 HalamanTujuan Penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan yang signifikan antara religiusitas dan status sosial ekonomi dengan kesejahteraan psikologis siswa SMP Negeri 6 Binjai. Penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Populasi dalam penelitian sebanyak 540 siswa dan sampel yang diteliti sebanyak 150 siswa dengan teknik simple random sampling. Skala ukur disusun dengan model skala Likert. Keseluruhan perhitungan dilakukan dengan komputasi program SPSS versi 20,0. Yang diuji yakni,uji normalitas, uji linieritas, uji hipotesis,dan uji deskriptif. Sehingga diperoleh kesimpulan ada hubungan positif antara religiusitas dengan kesejahteraan psikologis dapat dilihat dari hasil korelasi R=0,460 dengan sig sebesar 0,00 dimana sig<0,010 dan R2=0,212. Antara status sosial ekonomi dengan kesejahteraan psikologis dapat dilihat hasil korelasi R=0,359 dengan sig sebesar 0,003 dimana sig<0,010 dan R2=0,120. Juga antara religiusitas dan status sosial ekonomi dengan kesejahteraan psikologis dapat dilihat hasil uji F pada perhitungan diperoleh F hitung =19,818 dengan nilai Sig=0,000<0,05 dan hasil korelasi R=0,461 dengan sig sebesar 0,000 dimana sig<0,010 dan R2=0,212. Untuk kepala sekolah agar mensosialisasikan religiusitas dan status sosial ekonomi dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan psikologis siswa. Bagi siswa SMP Negeri 6 Binjai meningkatkan kereligiusannya. Dan kepada peneliti selanjutnya mencari faktor-faktor lain yang berhubungan dengan kesejahteraan psikologis dan menggunakan teori lain untuk mengukur kesejahteraan psikologis. The aim of the study was to determine the significant relationship between religiosity and socio-economic status with the psychological well-being of students of Binjai State Middle School 6. The population in the study was 540 students and the sample studied was 150 students with a simple random sampling technique. The measuring scale was arranged with a Likert scale model. The whole calculation is done by SPSS version 20.0 program computing. The tested ones are normality test, linearity test, hypothesis test, and descriptive test. So that the conclusion is there is a positive relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being can be seen from the results of the correlation R = 0.460 with sig of 0.00 where sig <0.010 and R2 = 0.212. Between socioeconomic status and psychological well-being can be seen the results of the correlation R = 0.359 with sig of 0.003 where sig <0.010 and R2 = 0.120. Also between religiosity and socio-economic status with psychological well-being can be seen the results of the F test on the calculation obtained F count = 19,818 with Sig = 0,000 <0,05 and the correlation R = 0,461 with sig of 0,000 where sig <0,010 and R2 = 0,212. For principals to socialize religiosity and socio-economic status can improve students' psychological well-being. For students of SMP Negeri 6 Binjai increase their religiousness. And the researchers then look for other factors related to psychological well-being and use other theories to measure psychological well-being

Water entities: results of the 2011–12 audits

This report presents the results of our financial audits of 20 entities, comprising 19 water entities and one controlled entity. It provides a detailed analysis of financial and performance reporting, their internal controls, financial results and sustainability. Clear audit opinions were issued on 19 financial reports for the financial year-ended 30 June 2012. At 2 November 2012 the financial report of Watermove was yet to be finalised