Conceiving and Implementing National Integrity Systems Assessments (NISA). Integrity and corruption are conceptually linked opposites. Integrity systems (or 'ethics regimes') are the most powerful tools for dealing with corruption. They involve a range of institutions, law, procedures, practices and attitudes which encourage integrity and discourage/sanction its absence among public servants and those who might wish to corrupt them. This project will examine the way Australian government and bus ....Conceiving and Implementing National Integrity Systems Assessments (NISA). Integrity and corruption are conceptually linked opposites. Integrity systems (or 'ethics regimes') are the most powerful tools for dealing with corruption. They involve a range of institutions, law, procedures, practices and attitudes which encourage integrity and discourage/sanction its absence among public servants and those who might wish to corrupt them. This project will examine the way Australian government and business integrity systems (some of which have received international praise for their design and conception) function in order to improve their operation in Australia and to provide examples for other countries.Read moreRead less
The limits of disclosure: private rights, public duties and the search for accountable governance. A reliance on technical considerations such as enhanced disclosure, literacy programs and attempts to bifurcate between sophisticated and unsophisticated investors has each proved sub-optimal in the search for greater, or more accurately, effective accountability both here in Australia and internationally. The acceptance by the corporate sector to process risk allocation, develop a mutually endors ....The limits of disclosure: private rights, public duties and the search for accountable governance. A reliance on technical considerations such as enhanced disclosure, literacy programs and attempts to bifurcate between sophisticated and unsophisticated investors has each proved sub-optimal in the search for greater, or more accurately, effective accountability both here in Australia and internationally. The acceptance by the corporate sector to process risk allocation, develop a mutually endorsed formal and informal regulatory framework, and agree on clear and transparent roles and responsibilities marks a significant step forward. It is both significant and innovative that the design and implementation of the proposed strategic plan will derive from an extended exercise in deliberative democracy.Read moreRead less
Better end-of-life care through an optimal, holistic regulatory framework. This project aims to enhance end-of-life care through better regulation. Current regulation does not work as intended and is complex and fragmented. This harms patients, families and health professionals, and wastes health resources across the 100,000 medical end-of-life decisions in Australia annually. Expected outcomes are: (1) the first study internationally to establish in practice how the interaction of conflicting l ....Better end-of-life care through an optimal, holistic regulatory framework. This project aims to enhance end-of-life care through better regulation. Current regulation does not work as intended and is complex and fragmented. This harms patients, families and health professionals, and wastes health resources across the 100,000 medical end-of-life decisions in Australia annually. Expected outcomes are: (1) the first study internationally to establish in practice how the interaction of conflicting law, policies, ethics and training affects the end-of-life care patients receive; and (2) a new holistic regulatory framework to enhance the quality of end-of-life care. Expected benefits are better palliative care, more patient involvement in decisions, reduced patient-doctor conflict and a more efficient health system.Read moreRead less
Professions, Professional Standards and Capital Markets in the 21st Century: Regulatory Engagement, Design and Strategies. This project aims to advance academic knowledge of professional obligation within capital markets. The objective is to develop practical mechanisms to test and validate oversight programs designed to advance professional standards within the established professions of law and audit and those who aspire to that status (financial advisers and broker/dealers). The research uses ....Professions, Professional Standards and Capital Markets in the 21st Century: Regulatory Engagement, Design and Strategies. This project aims to advance academic knowledge of professional obligation within capital markets. The objective is to develop practical mechanisms to test and validate oversight programs designed to advance professional standards within the established professions of law and audit and those who aspire to that status (financial advisers and broker/dealers). The research uses an innovative conceptual framework that delineates rights, duties and responsibilities and measures capacity to deliver stated commitment to market integrity, thereby attending to the specific and pressing problems faced by the partner organisations. The project aims to provide warranted trust in the commitment of the professions to higher standards, thereby restoring market confidence.Read moreRead less
Advancing investor action on energy transition. This project aims to advance action by investors (debt and equity) to increase finance for low-carbon energy sources that reduce fundamental climate risks. The project applies interdisciplinary approaches to generate new knowledge about the business case for investor leadership on energy transition and supportive climate law and financial regulatory frameworks. Collaborative legal and business analysis by leading Australian and US scholars, coupled ....Advancing investor action on energy transition. This project aims to advance action by investors (debt and equity) to increase finance for low-carbon energy sources that reduce fundamental climate risks. The project applies interdisciplinary approaches to generate new knowledge about the business case for investor leadership on energy transition and supportive climate law and financial regulatory frameworks. Collaborative legal and business analysis by leading Australian and US scholars, coupled with interviews and focus groups with investors, will examine contemporary engagement practices and investors' management of climate-related financial risks. Expected outcomes are targeted reform proposals to benefit policymakers and the environment by fostering private financing of clean energy.Read moreRead less
Building the Rule of Law in International Affairs. Australia has been committed to a rules-based international system since the foundation of the UN and, while recently wavering in practice has remained formally supportive of international law. This is not just a matter of values. As a major trading nation and a middle power, Australia prosperity and security would benefit from a more rules-based international order. This project aims to find practical ways of bolstering and building the rule of ....Building the Rule of Law in International Affairs. Australia has been committed to a rules-based international system since the foundation of the UN and, while recently wavering in practice has remained formally supportive of international law. This is not just a matter of values. As a major trading nation and a middle power, Australia prosperity and security would benefit from a more rules-based international order. This project aims to find practical ways of bolstering and building the rule of law in international affairs. In doing so, this international research involving the UN, a Canadian think tank and UN University's Australian based governance institute will allow Australia to take leadership role in multilateral thinking and action to bolster the international rule of law. Read moreRead less