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.
Event: 2017 'Inequality in Australia' Conference »
The TJ Ryan Foundation, with the support of QUT, QSuper and the QCU, has convened a one-day conference around the theme of 'Inequality in Australia', held at QUT Gardens Point campus in Brisbane. Copies of the conference speakers' presentations and links to video footage from the event will be posted online as they become available.
Event: Roger Scott on Hansonism »
Join the TJ Ryan Foundation and the Queensland Council of Unions on Wednesday 4 October to launch Roger Scott's new book, Phoenix? A Queensland Perspective on Pauline Hanson's One Nation.
Event: 2017 'Integrity 20' Conference »
Griffith University hosts its 'Integrity 20' Conference from 18-20 October at the Queensland Conservatorium at South Bank in Brisbane. The conference "gathers remarkable people from Australia and around the world to examine some of our greatest global challenges."
Event: Centenary of the 'Warwick egg incident' »
To mark the centenary of the notorious 'Warwick egg incident' of 1917, when Prime Minister Billy Hughes was 'egged' at Warwick train station while campaigning for wartime conscription, a public history event is being staged in Warwick on Saturday 18 November.
Will voters move to the left? »
Peter Brent writes about the surge in enrolments on the federal electoral roll owing to the same-sex marriage postal survey, wondering if more young Australians than ever being enrolled to vote will have the impact that many anticipate: "With the Commonwealth electoral roll in its best shape ever, are the Coalition’s worst fears being realised? ... Does a comprehensive electoral roll really spell doom and gloom for the Coalition?"
Rethink for marine park plans? »
Jessica Meeuwig provides details of a statement on behalf of marine researchers from around the globe, asserting that Australia's reputation as a global leader in marine conservation is being put at risk by plans to strip back sanctuary areas within marine parks.
Coal in decline: Adani in question? »
Adam Morton files a special report in The Guardian on the proposed Adani mega mine project in central Queensland, asking if India and China are shifting away from coal imports and coal-fired power, where does this leave coal in Australia?
Funding boom for Queensland's regions? »
Tony Moore reports in the Brisbane Times on economic analysis showing that the Palaszczuk Government's recent budget promised increased levels of capital spending in some of the state's remote regions, compared to "below average" government expenditure in areas around the state's capital: "Queensland's fastest-growing regions in the south-east corner are being 'unfairly' underfunded."
Settling for a 'cleanish' energy target? »
Alan Pears expands on the policy uncertainty surrounding the federal government's clean energy target owing to Coalition in-fighting over the degree of support for the renewables sector: "It seems that the one certainty about any clean energy target set by the present government is that it will not drive sufficient progress towards a clean, affordable, reliable energy future."
Researchers and research impact »
TJRF Deputy Executive Director, Paul Boreham, emphasises the importance of researchers making their findings freely available: "The primary aim of the TJ Ryan Foundation is to bridge the gap between academic researchers, 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 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.
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.