Abstract
This paper examines how the concept of one vote, one value has been strongly debated in Australia and has gained increasing momentum over the past decade. It looks at how strong arguments exist for electoral reforms and how reform would promote equality amongst voters, equality of law and the provision of an effective representative democratic system. It also shows how equally strong arguments exist for the electoral laws to remain unchanged in places such as rural Australia since rural electorates would become too large to manage. Other issues such as international covenant on civil and political rights and electoral history are also discussed.

From the Paper
"It was not until 1968 when serious action was taken to apply the concept of one vote, one value to Australia's political system. On two occasions Lionel Murphy attempted to introduce a bill that would effectively require that; votes shall be so far as practical equal in value. On both occasions debate was adjourned on the motion of Liberal Senators, as a result the issue was never properly debated. The cause was revived in 1972 when the Australian Labor Party sought to implement the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendations of reducing the variation from the quota from twenty percent above or below, down to a maximum variation of ten per cent above or below the quota and that a fresh distribution should take place in all states where one quarter of the divisions do not fall within this ten percent distribution margin."

Tags:political, rural, electorates, system, rural, electorates

Abstract
This paper on the Australian budget discusses the Fringe Benefit Tax, health reductions, defence budgets and other effects of budget schemes. It also looks at how it effects the society.

From the Paper
"The 1986-87 Australian Budget Report is one which has arrived in a period where a three year economic growth pattern has dropped; there is a fall in the Australian exports and the earnings from them. The Budget had a 7% actual rise in spending, with a zero rise in real terms; so giving no reduction. It was satisfying for some people and disappointed for others."

Tags:defence, deficit, fbt, fringe, health, recession, tax

Abstract
This essay aims to respond to the statement that 'Australia has always relied on strong and powerful friends for its defence" and answers the questions, 'is this true?" , 'why has it been so?' and ' what is the position today? The paper explains that this is evident in Australia's participation in many wars that did not directly threaten their own borders, including Vietnam, both world wars and others.

From the Paper
"For Australia "alliance (at least de facto) with a great power has been a key policy component since Federation." This has been readily apparent in its long history of close relations with firstly the United Kingdom and more recently the United States, as both an ally and a powerful friend. Australia has a long history of association with the United Kingdom and the United States which extends back to World War One and has since taken on many different forms. This essay will mainly focus on the relationship with the United States as it is more relevant to current defence policy and the United States does not posses the "motherland" relationship that Britain does. Since the Second World War Australia's relationship with the United States has been one of reliance with regards to the provision of an ally to come to our aid in a time of heightened military conflict that seriously affects Australia's security. This has evolved to encompass a reliance on the United States for the vast majority or our high technology equipment and global intelligence, resulting in a belief that this relationship is a constraint on Australia's defence policies and thinking. In this essay, the relationships that Australia has held with the US and Britain will be discussed in both current and historical terms, particularly with regard to the advantages and disadvantages of such a reliance, relating it to the position today."

Tags:anzus, doctrine, guam, anzac, vietnam, iraw, terror, asia

Abstract
This paper discusses how although Australia is in essence a democratic society which subscribes to the democratic principle of government by the people for the people, there are some areas of Australia that can be improved to make Australia more democratic. It focuses on two of these areas: the whistle-blowing system and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's ability to publicise scientific information or opinions on government policy issues. The paper argues that by altering the current state of these areas, Australia could become more democratic. It does this by explaining why these areas are important in the building or maintenance of democracy in Australia, how they are being threatened and what could be done to eliminate these threats and change these areas into their potential democratic base.

From the Paper
"It has recently been found that the Australian Government has been censoring the publication of scientific information. Specifically; scientific information related to policy-issues such as greenhouse gas emission targets and environmental refugees. These allegations were aired on ABCs television show 4 corners and claimed senior Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) scientists have been regularly gagged by the government from commenting on such issues. This information came from senior CSIRO scientists who have also explained that the threat of reduced funding was the strategy used in stopping them from speaking out. Scientific censorship of any sort by the government is a serious breach of democratic principles. "

Tags:whistle, blower, CSIRO, censorship, government, liberalism

Abstract
This paper discusses the new anti-terror laws in Australia and how these impact Australian human rights. It examines what these new laws involve, what entrenching a Bill of Rights would involve and the possible outcomes of an entrenchment of the Australian Constitution. The author of the paper ultimately argues that a Bill of Rights is not necessary to protect the fundamental rights of the Australian people.

From the Paper
"If a Bill of Rights were introduced into Australia, judges would have ultimate power in deciding what actually constitutes human rights (Kerby 1995). Instead of the parliament and the elected politicians deciding on the rights of the people, this would be left to judges (Kerby, 1995). Some argue that this is giving them too much power. It is said that middle aged, upper class and predominantly white males cannot possibly know what is best for all demographics of the Australian nation and have no way in determining the will of the people (Kerby, 1995). Others also believe that judiciary's are unreliable as the sole determiners of human rights as a Constitutional Bill of Rights would enable them to establish their own political agendas (Gibbs, 2000). In addition, their decisions would no doubt be made on personal morals, views and beliefs (Gibbs, 2000). Also there would be an increase of power for those with wealth. By this it is meant that it would be the wealthy who could afford the legal action to achieve their agendas in how the bill was interpreted (Malcolm ,1998)."

Tags:judicial, liberties, power, ASIO

Abstract
This paper looks at the current ability of the Australian legal system in protection of human rights. It includes an examination of the Constitution, High Court, Implied Rights, Common Law, The HREOC (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission), international law, and federal and state laws in Australia. The paper questions whether or not current protection is adequate, and whether a bill of rights is needed.

From the Paper
"Human rights refers to those rights described as "basic and essential to the existence of human beings". These include a range of rights such as the right to life, freedom and security of person; the right to free speech; the right to a fair trial. Pressure for a bill of rights in Australia has been considerable over the last 10 years due to increased awareness of existing laws and to their inability to protect human rights, uncertainty about the High Court and interpretations of implied rights, and embarrassing challenges to the existing Australian laws. The Australian legal system has to be examined closely in order to conclude whether human rights are adequately protected. There are many means of protection in the Australian legal system, yet the actual effectiveness has to be examined as to what extent "little protection" is offered. There are many arguments in favor of the introduction of a bill of rights, however, if this would actually be appropriate for Australia in protection of human rights, and if the need is warranted, needs to be looked at in greater detail."

Tags:religion, Theophaneous, Commonwealth, Racial, Discrimination, Act, HRC, Affirmative, Action, Agency

Abstract
This essay examines the content of Pre-Qin Chinese religious thinking, namely the religions of the Shang and Zhou dynasty. It explores the forces, which according to the religious beliefs of the Shang and Zhou people, controlled the human and non-human world. It shows that, according to these beliefs, the two worlds mentioned above co-existed and affected one another. Subsequently, the essay reveals that the ancient Chinese ideas about cosmic order and disorder were very closely related to the political domain.

From the Paper
"However, at the same time, it can be argued that the human world also controlled, or at least affected, the non-human world. The term "non-human" can be defined very broadly. It simply means "anything that is not human". The people of the Shang Dynasty believed that natural happenings such as storms, droughts, comets or eclipses were affected by human conduct. They were seen as warnings sent by the heavens, so that "human beings especially rulers might reform their personal conduct as well as their conduct of government." It is clear that there was a belief that the behavior of the human world would affect the happenings of the non-human world- bad behavior would cause natural disasters."

Tags:ideas, religious, supernatural, Shangdi, Confucius

Abstract
This essay details Australian colonization (beginning with the First Fleet in 1788) and settlement by the British through to the early 1900s. It examines the changing relationship between the two countries after WWII. Post WWII, the USA took over from Britain as the biggest investor in Australia and thereafter, Australia's political allegiance changed to the US. The relationship between Britain and Australia is still extraordinarily strong, but it is not the same relationship that existed for so long during Australia's early years under European settlement. The essay looks at the present-day economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries.

From the Paper
"What have been the most important historical features of the relationship between Australia and Britain? How important is the Australia-Britain relationship for Australia today? How important is the Australia-Britain relationship for Britain today? Colonization of Australia by Britain began in 1788, officially to set up a penal colony but also to establish a trading base in the Pacific. It started with the arrival of the First Fleet of about 250 marines and 730 convicts at Port Jackson, and the establishment of Sydney Town and the colony of New South Wales."

Tags:colonization, settlement

Abstract
This paper examines past and present Australian Government policies which have impacted and been implemented to address the issue of Aboriginal Health. The author also examines issues such health issues, substance abuse and the high rate of youth suicide.

From the Paper
'The status of Aboriginal health in Australia is currently at critical levels - much money needs to be injected and considerable work needs to be done to tackle such important health issues as diabetes, mental disorders, substance abuse and the high rate of youth suicide. Along with this, many other related issues need to be addressed, such as the stolen generation, native title, preservation of cultural identity and the topic of reconciliation. The outlook for the future is improving however, in that the government and Aboriginal groups are working together towards a positive outcome through the implementation of innovative government policies aimed at tacking the core issues affecting Aboriginal communities around Australia."

Tags:health, hills, indigenous, malee, south

Abstract
The writer explains that the emergence of Islamic banking is an example of how religion has become subservient to economic needs, and more specifically, how Islam has become subservient to capitalism. The paper explains that although advocates claim that Islamic banking is distinctive from interest rate banking, such methods are merely window dressing - a way for the banks to legitimize themselves. The writer explains that in Shariah, Islamic law, people are prohibited from charging and receiving interest. The paper draws parallels between conventional banking systems and the new modes of so-called interest-free banking. The paper states that Islamic banks have been mimicking conventional banks, pushing for short-term, low-risk investments that are similar in quantity and risk to those obtained by other conventional banks. The writer explains that the methods used to evade interest prohibition include mislabeling interest under the false pretense of administrative costs and delegating puppet banks to alleviate responsibility from Islamic institutions. The writer challenges the advocates of this system who claim that it is Shariah-compliant. In summation, the writer states that it is evident that in the current Islamic system, Islamic beliefs have taken a second place to the capitalist system. Table of Contents: Introduction Lack of Sources for Islamic Banking Same Method, Different Name Murabaha is Not Profit Sharing Using Puppet Banks The Ulama Power Vacuum Advocates Conclusion Bibliography

From the Paper
"During the 80s, Muslim countries such as Sudan, Iran and Pakistan underwent the growth of Islamic banking due to an oil boom and the need for Muslim communities to establish a unique economic presence in the new international economic order (Pipes, 1982:45; cf. ICO: 1982). By 1995, 144 public and private banking institutions had been established claiming to practice "Islamic banking" (Shaik, 1997:118). However, this paper will argue that Islamic banking is conventional banking in disguise. Islamists have merely used the former to bypass religious restrictions to meet their capitalistic needs in a manner that is compliant, and sometimes even not compliant, to interpretations of the Shariah. Such assertions can be supported by examining characteristics of the current Islamic banking system. Nazih N. Ayubi has written about religion being subservient to the state. In this particular case, the evolution of Islamic banking has become an example of Islam being subservient to capitalism."

Tags:capitalism, conventional, koran, shariah