HC Coombs Policy Forum Past Events (prior to Feb 2012)

HC Coombs Policy Forum

Measuring the results of research investment

Dr Julia I. Lane, US National Science Foundation

How can we assess the impacts of public funding for science and research? And what is the evidence base for science, research and innovation policy decisions?

Questions such as these a ...

HC Coombs Policy Forum

Making public policy: An outsider's perspective

Professor Sir Ian Kennedy

Professor Sir Ian Kennedy is among the world's leading academics in the areas of the law and ethics of health. He is also among the world's most engaging public intellectuals and most effective change ...

HC Coombs Policy Forum

Reforming a national health system: what can we learn?

Professor Sir Ian Kennedy

Professor Sir Ian Kennedy is among the world's leading academics in the areas of the law and ethics of health. He is also among the world’s most engaging public intellectuals and most effective chan ...

HC Coombs Policy Forum

Clean energy technology policy: The economics of why and how

Dr Adele Morris, Policy Director, Climate and Energy Economics Project, Brookings Institution, USA

One rationale for large public investments in clean energy technology points to concerns that have not been addressed by other policies, most notably greenhouse gas emissions and energy security. Ano ...

Transport policy performance and reform: Lessons from the US experience

Transportation affects the cost of almost everything in an economy. This lecture will assess whether Americans are paying too much for transportation services, spending too much time on transportation, and supporting excessive government spending on the transportation system. The effect of transportation on other sectors of the economy and policy alternatives to improve the system will also be discussed, followed by questions from the audience.

Science meets Policymakers

Science meets Policymakers will, for the first time, bring together academics from a range of disciplines and policymakers from various government departments to take a closer look at the intersection between the evidence base and policy processes.

The Climate Fix

The world's response to climate change is deeply flawed. The conventional wisdom on how to deal with climate change has failed and it's time to change course.

UK workforce participation, welfare reform & social inclusion policies: their relevance for Australian policy makers

Professor Finn will address the topic of welfare to work in tough economic times, drawing on wider developments from OECD countries and key UK developments in radical reform of disability benefits, the introduction of a single 'Universal Credit' working age benefit, and the commissioning of large scale 'prime contractors' to deliver employment assistance – a different approach to outsourcing compared with that used in Australia.

Public capital, growth and welfare

Presented in conjunction with the Research School of Economics, ANU College of Business and Economics. Pierre-Richard Agenor, Hallsworth Professor of International Macroeconomics and Development Economics, University of Manchester

Water implications of a changing energy sector: a comparison of US and Australian experiences

Dr Nicole T Carter US Congressional Research Service, Fullbright Scholar. Nicole will discuss her first few months of research on water use by the energy sector in Australia and provide a comparison to the United States.

UN Internet Governance Forum - at the ANU

The Sixth Annual IGF Meeting will be held in Nairobi, Kenya on 27-30 September 2011 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). The main theme of the meeting is: 'Internet as a catalyst for change: access, development, freedoms and innovation'.

Why manufacturing policy matters: lessons from the UK

Professor Gregory will review the changing patterns of manufacturing and the implications for policy using examples from major companies. He will show how the "value chain" approach to manufacturing can provide insights into the structure and dynamics of businesses and industries. He will then trace the evolution of manufacturing policies in the UK over the last decade and conclude with observations about emerging industries and the importance of manufacturing in exploiting new science-based opportunities.

Improving economic policy conversations: US and Australian perspectives

This public lecture, which is part of the Gruen Lecture Series is presented in conjunction with the Research School of Economics, ANU College of Business and Economics. Professor Cliff Winston & Ross Gittins AM.

How will the Asian Century shape Australia's Future?

In a century dominated by the rise of Asian economic, political and military power, will Australia be left behind? Will it ever be an Asian nation? A co-production by ABC News 24 and the ANU.

From collaboration to disruption: the frontiers of public sector innovation

In this lunchtime public lecture Eggers will outline four major trends that will represent the frontiers of public sector innovation today and in the years to come.

Creating the conditions for radical public service innovation

Public services are facing an unprecedented combination of challenges and opportunities: demographic, technological, public expectations, fiscal constraint, local and global "wicked issues". The need for radical innovation – innovation that achieves significantly better outcomes for significantly lower costs – has perhaps never been greater.

Rescuing the United States from Fiscal Crisis

Professor Steve Redburn, one of the leading experts in the US on the fiscal crisis, asks, What options can the US pursue to return itself to fiscal solvency? How much "pain" is expected versus the "gain" realized from various options? and, What are the politics of the current standoff in the US in Congress and Obama Administration in resolving the issues?

Conflicts between climate, energy and water policies – lessons from the United States

The climate, energy and water nexus seeks to identify and understand the inevitable conflicts and tradeoffs across these three policy realms. A. Prof. Webber will introduce the nexus with particular reference to the situation in Texas, a jurisdiction of similar dimensions to Australia and with similar climate, energy and water challenges.

Energy Security and Climate Change: tensions and synergies

In spite of the increasing policy importance of both climate change and energy security, there has been little rigorous analysis on how these twin challenges interact. The research presented in this talk systematically and quantitatively explores this dilemma for a set of energy transitions scenarios developed within the Global Energy Assessment (GEA) which meet the goals of stabilising the global climate, ensuring universal access to modern forms of energy, and economic growth in all world regions.

American Grace: How religion divides and unites America

Robert D. Putnam is Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, and Visiting Professor, University of Manchester (UK). He was the 2006 recipient of the Skytte Prize in political science and has served as an adviser to presidents and national leaders around the world.

Economic leadership in times of crisis: Implementing the US stimulus program

As Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, Mr DeSeve oversaw the successful implementation of the US$787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to drive the US economy out of the Global Financial Crisis. In this public lecture, Mr DeSeve will share his insights and experience in economic leadership.

International Developments in Health Systems: addressing real issues or responding to fads and special interests

Recent developments in the health systems of the US, UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Australia will be discussed. Ted Marmor will address the Obama reforms, the latest UK proposals, and developments in Canada. Kieke Okma will comment on the Dutch reform. Then we will open the discussion by commenting on Australian initiatives, followed by a Q&A session where any similarities and differences in health reforms, and their relevance to the Australian situation can be identified and explored.

An opportunity for national consultation on the Draft Report of the Productivity Commission on Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements

One Australia, One Market: Challenges for Productivity Policy

The Honourable Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy.