Diary of Social Legislation and Policy 1991

Abstract

The Diary of Social Legislation and Policy is compiled annually to record changes made in government social policy and legislation during the preceding year. It provides a ready reference for researchers and workers in government and service organisations and can also be used as a factual account of policy and major legislation announced during the year.

The first Diary in the present series covered events for the calendar year 1980. Subsequent editions have been published for the years 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 198586, 1987-88, 1989, and 1990. Copies can be obtained from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and from the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Significant events and government action occurred in a number of portfolio areas in 1991. Among those recorded in this edition of the Diary are: the abolition on July 1 of the longstanding 'dole' or Unemployment Benefit (UB), and the introduction of 'active employment strategies' as advanced in the Newstart Allowance; the results of a major Mid Term Review of Aged Care; a series of background papers on the provision, quality and effectiveness of health services, commissioned to inform a National Health Strategy; the crisis of over enrolments and overcrowding in higher education; the release of a White Paper on Australia's language and literacy policy to address the critical shortcomings in competence in English and other languages; the announcement of the terms of reference of a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Family Law Act; the release of a number of reports from a National Housing Strategy set up to develop an integrated evaluation of housing needs and policy; and, the reduction in numbers of immigrants to be selected in 1991-92.