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.
2017 'Inequality' Conference »
The TJ Ryan Foundation, with the support of QUT, QSuper and the QCU, is convening a one-day conference around the theme of 'Inequality'. The conference will be held in the OJW Room, 10th floor of Z Block at QUT Gardens Point campus, Brisbane, on Friday 1st September 2017. More details will be added to this site soon.
John Falzon argues in Eureka Street that, despite Treasurer Scott Morrison's assurances, the federal budget does little to redress the harm to Australian society of growing inequality.
TJRF Board member, John Quiggin, assesses the economic and environmental arguments stacking up against the proposed Adani Camichael coal mine in central Queensland's Galilee Basin.
Mine site rehabilitation lessons for Australia »
The ABC's Gregg Borschmann reports on the growing problem of environmental rehabilitation after mine closures, suggesting that overseas approaches may provide lessons for Australian legislators looking to better regulate mine site clean-ups. Additional reportage suggests that this may have implications for Queensland's proposed Adani coal mine.
Don't give up on our bleaching coral reefs »
Terry Hughes and Joshua Cinner assert in The Conversation that tropical coral reefs can be saved from climate change and other pressures, but the window of opportunity is closing. The authors argue that, either way, reefs are guaranteed to be markedly different in the future.
Trump dumps Paris climate deal »
Bill Hare writes in The Conversation, questioning US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw his country from the Paris Climate Agreement, and what this means for the global climate change agenda.
Gonski redux back on the table »
TJRF Research Associate, Dean Ashenden, makes the case in Inside Story that a successful 'Gonski 2.0' school funding model is essential – but far from sufficient – for genuine school reform.
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.
'Crime and Justice in Asia and the Global South' »
QUT's Crime and Justice Research Centre and the Asian Criminological Society are presenting the 'Crime and Justice in Asia and the Global South' conference at the Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns, from 10-13 July 2017. TJ Ryan Foundation Research Associates have been offered free registration to attend - find details at the link above.
'Accountability and the Law' Conference 2017 »
The Australia Institute is presenting the 'Accountability and the Law' Conference at Parliament House, Canberra, on Thursday, 17 August 2017, featuring a number of TJRF Research Associates speaking on accountability issues.
'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.
Researchers and the mission of research impact »
TJRF Research Committee Chair, Paul Boreham, writes about the importance and the obligation of researchers making their findings available to a broad audience: "The primary aim of the TJ Ryan Foundation is to bridge the gap between academics and other professional researchers and policymakers in order to enhance evidence-based policymaking." For more details, contact Paul Boreham.
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.
RESEARCH REPORT 51: Leaners and Luddites »
Ann Scott discusses the lessons that might be learned from the Industrial Revolution, Margaret Thatcher's divisiveness, and the Brexit vote; she recalls Winston Churchill's 1939 appeal to Americans to maintain 'ceaseless vigilance to protect democracy'.
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.
Roger Scott and Howard Guille provide an assessment of the first 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.