The TJ Ryan Foundation is a progressive think tank focusing on Queensland public policy. The aims of the Foundation are to stimulate debate on matters of Queensland public administration and to review the policy directions of current and previous State governments on economic, social and cultural issues. This website focuses on evidence-based policy, providing access to our own research and a range of online policy resources.
Post-election analysis - QLD 2020 »
The TJ Ryan Foundation invited leading commentators and state political figures to give their assessments of the 2020 Queensland election campaign.
1992 Queensland Cabinet Minutes released »
Queensland State Archives has released the 1992 Queensland Cabinet Minutes after expiry of the 30-year embargo period. The Minutes reveal the decision-making of the Goss Labor government in its third full year in office.
No more silver bullets on youth crime »
Brad Cooper reports on the long pattern of politicising juvenile justice approaches in Queensland: 'Credible research continues to show that the ‘tougher’ authorities go on youth crime the worse the problem gets.'
Qld still ground zero for deforestation »
Michelle Ward and James Watson reveal their research into Queensland's high rates of broad-scale land clearing and the environmental damage it causes.
The Barrier Reef is in danger - again »
Jon C. Day summarises findings from the latest UN survey of the Great Barrier Reef's health, with government keen to avoid an 'in danger' listing.
Scathing report on culture in Qld Police Service »
Ben Smee reports on a damning inquiry report into the organisational culture of the state's police: "As with officers who engaged in serious sexism or racism, the force’s entire leadership have been told to do better in the future."
Queensland housing summit to 'lead to action' »
Fraser Barton and Marty Silk report on the announcement of a summit to address Queensland's growing housing affordability crisis: "the summit will consider land supplies and social housing, but all options are on the table."
End in sight for coal-fired power in Qld »
Graham Readfearn and Ben Smee report on the state government's new $62bn energy plan for Queensland, with the Premier citing the present "climate emergency".
Manufacturing's future in QLD »
TJ Ryan Foundation, in conjunction with the AMWU and researchers at the University of Queensland, has produced a major research report on Queensland’s manufacturing sector.
'Reviving the Republic' symposium »
Video footage from the TJ Ryan Foundation / Australian Republic Movement joint event, 'Reviving the Republic', can now be viewed at the link above. This includes a keynote address from ARM Chair, Peter FitzSimons AM, and a panel discussion by TJRF Research Associates and others.
'Inequality in Australia' conference »
The TJ Ryan Foundation, with the support of QUT, QSuper and the QCU, convened a one-day conference around the theme of 'Inequality in Australia'. The conference featured a keynote address from ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus, and a closing address from Hon. Wayne Swan MP. Copies of speakers' presentations and links to video footage from the event are available at the conference page.
Researchers and research impact »
Former TJRF Deputy Director, Paul Boreham, stresses the importance of researchers making their findings available: "The TJ Ryan Foundation aims to bridge the gap between academic and other researchers and policy professionals."
'Jobs of the Future' seminar »
Papers presented at the QCU / TJRF seminar on 'the future of work in Queensland' can be found at the link above. Presentation slides will be added as they become available.
Ken Boston: 'Gonski Review: Vision or Hallucination?' »
Several media outlets reported on Ken Boston's keynote address, speaking of his experience on the Gonski Review panel, at the TJ Ryan Foundation's 3rd anniversary event. The full text of Dr Boston's speech, along with a video recording of his address, can be found at the link above.
RESEARCH REPORT 54: Pauline Hanson and Queensland politics »
Roger Scott examines the 'resurrection' of Pauline Hanson and the One Nation Party, discussing Hanson's charismatic appeal and controversial policies in the context of populist traditions and party politics in Queensland.
RESEARCH REPORT 53: Comparing Australian think tanks »
Andre Yeo analyses the think tank 'landscape' in Australia, comparing the financial and personnel resources of several organisations, as well as their research output and impact.
POLICY BRIEF 03: New opportunities for improving mine rehabilitation »
Michael Bidwell and collaegues explain how and why the statutory requirements for mining rehabilitation have failed Queensland in the past and evaluate the new Act.
POLICY BRIEF 02: Queensland Industry Policy »
Paul Boreham and Chris Salisbury provide an overview of innovation-led industry policies that engage in long-run strategic investments to create and shape industry trajectories rather than just responding to problems of industry decline.The paper outlines how such policies might be applied to the Queensland economy.
POLICY BRIEF 01: What next for economic policy and the economy? »
Geoff Dow argues that the development of economic policy needs to be founded on a clearer understanding of economic growth, debt, government spending and taxation.
Ann Scott, Howard Guille and Roger Scott provide an assessment of the second year in office of the Palaszczuk Government.
The Newman Years: rise, decline and fall »
An edited collection of TJ Ryan Foundation research papers and commentaries covering the Newman Government's years in office.
Earlier TJ Ryan Foundation Research Reports »
All TJ Ryan Foundation Research Reports can be found through this link.