The TJ Ryan Foundation is a progressive think tank focussing on Queensland public policy. The aims of the Foundation are to stimulate debate on issues in Queensland public administration and to review policy directions of current and past State governments on economic, social and cultural issues. This website focuses on evidence-based policy, and provides links to a range of public accessible online resources.
Honesty and integrity an issue for voters »
On Twitter @viviehar53 said 'honesty' and @fitant said 'integrity'. This was a common theme that sat high on participants' lists.' (ABC News, 13.1.15)
In a poll after the election the Australia Institute found that accountability, transparency and trust were a significant influence on people's voting choice.
What the TJRyan Foundation now offers policymakers and researchers »
The fundamental purpose of the TJRyan Foundation is to bridge the gap between academics and policymakers in order to enhance evidence-based policymaking.
In her paper The TJRyan Foundation 2014-15 (presented at the first anniversary celebration on 19 February 2015), Dr Ann Scott discusses the potential role of the Foundation in supporting Queensland public policy development.
In her paper she also provides an overview of how the TJRyan Foundation website has developed over the past year, explaining what it contains, and how to search its 'Policy Papers' and 'Find a Researcher' databases.
Mandates, Promises and Surprises »
On 19 February the TJRyan Foundation celebrated our first birthday. The Leader of the House, Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier, Stirling Hinchliffe MP, represented the Premier at the function. The Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, Steven Miles MP also attended.
Professor Geoffrey Gallop, Director, Graduate School of Government, University of Sydney, gave the keynote address: 'Mandates, Promises and Surprises'
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, the inaugural Director of the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland, spoke about the The Great Barrier Reef 2014-15.
The National Indigenous Times »
The TJRyan Foundation published a paper by Research Associate, Dr Woolombi Waters, about the impact of writs on the future viability of the National Indigenous Times SLAPP writs threaten the viability of the National Indigenous Times
The viability of the paper has become a critical issue for its current management. Dr Waters provides here a short update on the situation.
National Indigenous Times update
For further information about the paper, see the National Indigenous Times website.
In the aftermath of the election, the LNP is examining its performance in the election campaign.
In 'Why the ALP should have won more decisively' Roger Scott cites former ALP Senator John Black, writing in The Weekend Australian (7 February 2015), who offered a warning to the ALP in which he had once been an influential powerbroker.
He warned that ‘Labor leaders should not get over-excited – the swing was far from uniform’ and that they should have won more easily and may find life much more difficult if the party faces a by-election ‘without the benefit of the toxic presence of Newman and Abbott on the other side’.
Through February 2015 there was discussion in The Mandarin and The Conversation about Queensland's machinery of government changes, reducing the portfolios from 19 to 14, and the impact on the public sector. Roger Scott was a contributor to these discussions.
Appointing CEOs after a change of government: lessons from the past
Time for a fresh approach to policymaking »
In February attention turned to specific policies. This section will gather articles, such as the 'Dear Premier Palaszczuk' series from The Conversation, which consider issue the new government may wish to address:
'If you want to cut crime, you can't ignore the evidence' by Professor Janet Ransley.
'Queensland's biggest challenge isn't debt, it's growth' by Professor Fabrizio Carmignani.
'Labor's first test: putting integrity before politics in Queensland' by Professor A J Brown.
21: Mandates, Promises and Surprises »
Professor Geoffrey Gallop's Keynote Address at the TJRyan Foundation' first anniversary celebration on 19 February 2015
20: The African immigrant experience in South East Queensland »
Hyacinth Udah reports on his doctoral research on how Black African immigrants in Queensland see their cultural identity, personal and social well-being in Australia?
Research Associate Dr Lorann Downer discusses why Campbell Newman's 'Can Do' brand 'is no more'.
18: The 1989 Qld election remembered »
Research Associate Dr Chris Salisbury looks back at a modern benchmark for ‘historic’ state elections in Queensland when the state’s voters went to the polls twenty-five years ago.
17: Reform in Australia today - why not listen to the people? »
Professor Geoff Gallop asks what chance is there for Australia to reform its democracy on behalf of a sustainable future, and concludes by making recommendations.
Research Reports 1-16
Earlier TJRyan Research Reports can be found through this link