News
Cabinet papers 1994-95: How the republic was doomed without a directly elected president
By Prof. Frank Bongiorno, ANU School of HistoryNot long after defeat in the 1999 referendum, Malcolm Turnbull, a leading republican who had chaired the Republic Advisory Committee (RAC) appointed by Paul Keating, was licking his wounds.“We must not let the desperate desire not to be ‘elitist’ lead…
Keating’s Working Nation plan for jobs was hijacked by bureaucracy: cabinet papers 1994-95
By Prof. John Wanna, Sir John Bunting Chair of Public Administration, ANU The White Paper called Working Nation became the Labor government’s major economic statement in Paul Keating’s second term. However, the policy was principally an after-the-fact attempt to clean up a mess in the labour…
ANU research on Japanese "silver backpackers" sheds light on gender norms
In 2011 Shiori Shakuto was out with friends in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were at the sort of place where expats, backpackers and locals go for drinks and food, and she noticed a small group of older Japanese men and women drinking with the best of them. Shiori wondered, ‘Who are these people?’…
Middle East expert, and former Chief Librarian, receive major awards from ANU
Two esteemed members of the College of Arts and Social Sciences have received major awards from The Australian National University for their extensive contributions to advancing the academic, intellectual and cultural spheres in Australia and internationally.Distinguished Professor Amin Saikal…
ANU Criminologist named one of Australia’s best university teachers
An ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences criminologist has been recognised as one of Australia’s best teachers. Dr Jason Payne is among five ANU scholars who received the coveted 2017 Australian Awards for University Teaching, announced by Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon…
Mandy gains a PhD, and bridges worlds
Mandy Yap is graduating on 15 December with a doctorate, plus research experience that’s enabled her to bridge both interdisciplinary differences, and also cultural differences between Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and new Australians. Part of that involved building relationships with the Yawuru…
Charting the life and influence of a Sāmoan independence giant
A new book explores the little-known Ta'isi Nelson, leader of Sāmoa’s independence movement, and how his efforts inspired other non-violent struggles around the world. Dr Patricia O’Brien’s Tautai: Sāmoa, World History and the Life of Ta'isi O. F. Nelson (University of Hawaii) has received wide…