Townsville's Journalist

A Comparative Analysis of Burma and Thailand’s Military Regimes

2014-06-13T11:35:00.000+10:00

The purpose of this paper is to critically compare the involvement of the military in the authoritarian regimes of Burma and Thailand. Both of these Southeast Asian countries have experienced continued military style takeovers that have led to changes in the leadership of their nations. The involvement of each nation’s military in Burma and Thailand’s political affairs points to an authoritarian regime. Burma, quite the opposite of Thailand is a young nation that was previously under British rule and as a result has a long pathway before political stability can come about. This is in contrast to Thailand that has never been ruled by any outside countries. That aside, Thailand traditionally is ruled by authoritarian values, although their political system is an open democratic political system now, they are of a lesser calibre than the oppressive nature of Burma. However, taking into account the involvement of the military in influencing the running of these two nations, both military’s have different values and reasons for causing political unrest. By critically comparing the involvement of Thailand and Burma’s military in governance it’s hoped that a conclusion can be made in determining the possible futures of each nation. The structure of Burma and Thailand’s governments is that of an authoritarian nature that’s controlled by each nation’s military.

The very nature of Authoritarianism is to force blind submission to the leadership. In contrast, democracy encourages all citizens to participate in electing individuals to participate in the governing of their country. Encyclopaedia Britannica defines authoritarianism as the “principle of blind submission to authority, as opposed to individual freedom of thought and action” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). Authoritarianism is the principle of believing in authority more than that of an individual’s right to freedom. This definition describes in detail what has been seen in the governments of Thailand and Burma. However, there is a difference between the extent of each nation’s authoritarian nature. As described by P. Calvert and S. Calvert in Politics and Society in the Developing World, the longer established an authoritative regime is, the less it relies on the use of force (Calvert & Calvert, 2007).

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A Comparative Analysis of the Indonesia and Laos’ Health Policy Successes

2014-03-21T15:02:00.000+10:00

The central theme of this report will evaluate the health systems of two developing nations in Southeast Asia. The two nations that have been studied are Indonesia and Laos. The Republic of Indonesia is a developing nation, the fourth largest country in the world by population and the world’s third-largest democracy. The nation faces challenges with improving their health system and the health of their people. The second nation Laos is known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), a Marxist-Leninist state ruled by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Laos a low-income nation has endured social and economic transformations since the introduction of market-based economic reforms in 1986 however despite economic growth health system development has dwindled. The political issue of healthcare policy in developing nations is complicated by a lack of resources available to existing governments, poverty and corruption, which can further complicate matters. The Health policies of both these nations will be discussed after looking firstly at their history.

Indonesia claimed independence in 1945 from the Dutch Empire. This marked the start of the diplomatic and armed Indonesian National Revolution. The revolution saw forces fighting for their independence against the Dutch who didn’t formally accept Indonesia’s Independence until December 27, 1949. The Dutch government in 2005 recently accepted the correct year and date of Independence as August 27, 1945 after expressing regret over military actions of the past. (The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, 2005)

The Republic of Indonesia the world is familiar with today went through several stages before becoming the nation-state that the world knows presently. According to Aspinall the earlier governments post-independence stressed nation-building. (Aspinall, 2011) This stage saw the government being concerned primarily with the establishment of a political government system through a parliamentary or constitutional democratic governmental system. (Djoko, 2003) This first stage was led by President Sukarno who is known for establishing parliament with a ‘Guided Democracy.’ The second stage was led by President Suharto who led the government with a ‘New Order’ which saw the birth of an authoritarian government system. This stage concentrated on building the economy and political stability through the process of industrialization and rural development. Post President Sukarno’s leadership democratic elections have been held since 1999 which has seen government leaders reform their political system to a more democratic and civil society.

Laos a land-locked country which sits centrally to five bordering countries; China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma. Laos was founded by the French in 1893 and later became the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in December 1975 after the forced abdication of King Sisavang Vatthana who had reigned over Laos since 1959. Laos has a population of approximately 7 million people which is made up of 49 different ethnic groups, which are all formally recognised by the Government. The land mass of Laos is 237, 000 square kilometres, with the most densely populating area being Vientiane, the capital. (Australian Government, 2014)

While the LPDR has experienced violence from groups opposed to the government it is generally a relatively stable nation. (EIU ViewsWire, 2005) The country is a communist state which remained relatively closed off to the world until the 1990s. At this time country started passing foreign investment laws, which saw Laos become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Laos unlike western nations is a single-party state, which means only the LPRP is legally allowed to hold power. As a result Laos is governed by Marxism-Leninism a form of anti-conservative, anti-reactionary government that’s principles are based on Marx’s analysis of capitalism with Lenin’s theories of revolutionary action.
Indonesia’s and Laos’ Millennium Development Goals

Since September 2000 Indonesia and Laos have sets goals under the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) program. The MDGs of each nation is a good measure for determining current pitfalls in the health of both nations. The nations that are a part of the UN’s program must develop a report each year to outline how gaols are progressing.

Indonesia set eight MDGs which three of were predominantly health related goals, including: improving maternal health, eradicating extreme hunger and poverty and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Steps taken by the government since 2000 have included decentralizing control of services to district governments and the passing of a National Social Security System (NSSS) in 2004.

The decentralizing of services such as health in 2001 from national control to district control saw more Indonesians utilizing health care services in their districts, due to the increased funding provided with the decentralizing. A conference paper released at the German Development Economics Conference in Frankfurt 2009 looked at 320 Indonesian districts and subsequently examined the impact of district budgets on public health spending, utilization and other patterns. The paper found the decentralizing of health to Indonesia’s districts suggested “local government health spending increased sharply… reflecting the transfer of responsibility and authority from the centre to the districts.” (Kruse, Pradhan, & Sparrow, 2009) The increase in local government spending as researched by Pradhan, Kruse and Sparrow saw the average utilization of public outpatient care in districts increase from 0.073 outpatient visits per person per month (vppm) in 2002 to 0.094 vppm in 2005. The steps taken by the Indonesian government in 2001 appear to reflect positively on that nation’s goals to improve their health services.

However, a further study looking at health system performance at a district level condemned the national government for not envisioning the Indonesian health system of the future while criticising the district government politicians for not looking at a health system beyond the next election. (Heywood & Choi, 2010) One pitfall of the decentralization was the government retaining the responsibility of the personnel system and human resource choices of districts. According to the research by Heywood and Choi this resulted in the central government being able to maintain and reinforce the old system resulting, in the innovation so much needed for improvement being silenced.

Aside from decentralizing control of health services to local districts an important step taken by the national government was establishing the NSSS. Although the NSSS was delayed 10-years and only just implemented in 2014 as law number 40/2004, which is similar to Social Security Law in the US. The NSSS was setup to cover five programs, “namely health insurance, occupational injuries, provident funds, pension and death benefits.” (Thabrany, 2014) Since the implementation of the NSSS one could only expect that Indonesia would be closer to meeting their MDGs. This may be true, but Indonesia is facing setbacks in achieving their MDGs of reducing mortality rates by 2015 due to a lack of health services for women during pregnancy as revealed in the Demographic Health Survey of Indonesia. According to the survey conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) 96 per cent of women received prenatal care in 2012, up from 93 per cent in 2007. Indonesia has made slow progress in improving their health care system and the health of their people but the country still faces many challenges similar to that of the land-locked country Laos.

Laos like Indonesia also set MDGs focusing on the health of their nation, the goals included included: improving maternal health, eradicating extreme hunger and poverty and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. From the onset we see that Laos’ Government is prepared to head in a direction similar to that of the Indonesian’s by setting similar goals to other countries apart of the MDG program.

Laos enacted a similar strategy to Indonesia in relation to their health policies. Laos started the decentralization of government services from the central government to the provincial level (the equivalent of Indonesia’s District Governments) in 1987 which allowed for the responsibilities of planning, financing and provision of health services to be transferred to the provinces. Though, unlike Indonesia the decentralization was unsuccessful and the government retook control of the provinces in 1992. Part of the reason why the decentralization was unsuccessful was due to the minimal investment from the government and lack of experienced staff and training.

When the recentralization took place the Ministry of Health set rules and regulations aimed at strengthening the recentralized health system. A study conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health found during the period of recentralization utilization rates improved per 10,000 people. For example, between 1992 and 1996, 35 persons per 10, 000 utilized health services compared with previous years between 1987 and 1991 where the results were 1.5 persons per 10, 000. (Phommasack, et al., 2005) Further improvements were also seen with Laos’ ability to facilitate the establishment of more medical facilities. For example, in 1990 there were 893 private pharmacies in LPDR and by 1999 there were 2000. (Phommasack, et al., 2005)

Needless to say, it seems that both Indonesia and Laos have had health reforms led by their governments, with Indonesia finding success through decentralization and Laos finding a better health system with control under their central government. However an indicator that shows the ability for Indonesia and Laos to govern their people is their demographics shown through indicators such as the percentage of GDP spent on health care each fiscal year.

Recent results by the World Bank show that in 2011 Indonesia spent just 2.7 per cent of their GDP on health compared with Laos that actually spent 2.8 per cent of their GDP. Indonesia and Laos are two very different nations in terms of their demographics and finances, the population of Indonesia is 37 times more than that of Laos at 7 million and the GDP of Indonesia is 1.237 trillion compared with Laos’ 19.52 billion in 2012. (CIA World Factbook, 2011) With good judgement one may actually determine Laos is willing to commit more of their GDP to the health of their nation. This is reflected further with the annual percentage growth change. Between 2004 and 2012 Laos percentage of GDP change was 6.4% in 2005 and 8.4% in 2012, compared with Indonesia that rate that’s growth was 6.3% in 2004 and 6.5% at its strongest in 2011. (World Bank, 2012)

From the world development indicators discussed it’s revealed Laos has stronger growth in their economy, which may be why recentralization has proven more successful for managing a smaller population. On the other hand, if the health of each nation is analysed, Indonesia clearly has better success. For example, the life expectancy at birth in Indonesia is 71.9 years compared with 63.14 years in Laos and the infant mortality rate in Indonesia is 26.06 deaths per 1000 births compared with 56.13 in Laos. (CIA World Factbook, 2011) In essence the indicators reveal Indonesia’s health system, although it’s decentralized is better able to deal with the health and well-being of their nation, while Laos struggles with a poor infant mortality rate.

By and large the indicators show Indonesia’s choices in governance to ensure the health and prosperity of their people is far more successful than the LPDR. These reasons as discussed are largely due to the limited funds of Laos, in time it could be expected Laos’ ability to deliver healthcare will continue to improve, especially with their strong annual GDP growth.

Bibliography

Aspinall, E. (2011). Indonesia: Redistributing Power. In Politics in the Developing World (pp. 315 - 323). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Australian Government. (2014, January). Laos Country Brief. Retrieved from Australian Government | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/laos/laos_brief.html

CIA World Factbook. (2011). Laos vs Indonesia. Retrieved from Index Mundi: http://www.indexmundi.com/factbook/compare/laos.indonesia

Djoko, S. (2003). Indonesia's Nation Building: From Diversity to Unity and from Revolution to Reformation (In Seeking Understanding with the Korea's Nation Building). Retrieved March 19, 2014, from Korean Social Studies Association: http://www.socialstudies.or.kr/neowiz/board/up_files/files_10/2003%C0%CE%B5%B5%B3%D7%BD%C3%BE%C6-%B9%DF%C7%A5%BF%F8%B0%ED-Suryo.pdf

EIU ViewsWire. (2005, May 23). Laos politics: Political outlook. Retrieved from The Economist Intelligence Unit: http://search.proquest.com.elibrary.jcu.edu.au/docview/336759229?accountid=16285

Heywood, P., & Choi, Y. (2010, March 5). Health system performance at the district level in Indonesia after decentralization. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from BMC International Health & Human Rights: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-698X/10/3

Kruse, I., Pradhan, M., & Sparrow, R. (2009). Health Spending and Decentralization in Indonesia. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from ECONSTOR: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/39952

Macmillan Publishers Ltd. (2007). Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought. Retrieved from CREDO: http://search.credoreference.com.elibrary.jcu.edu.au/content/entry/macpt/marxism_leninism/0

Phommasack, B., Oula, L., Blas, E., Oukeo, K., Keobounphanh, I., Misavadh, T., . . . Vongsamphanh, C. (2005, March). Decentralization and recentralization: Effects on the Health Systems in Lao PDR. 523 - 528. Retrieved from Department of Prevention and Hygiene, Ministry of Health, Vientiane: http://imsear.hellis.org/bitstream/123456789/30596/2/523.pdf?origin=publication_detail

Thabrany, H. (2014, January 2). Birth of Indonesia's 'Medicare': Fasten your seatbelts. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01/02/birth-indonesia-s-medicare-fasten-your-seatbelts.html

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta. (2005, August 18). Dutch Government Express Regrets over killing in RI. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/08/18/dutch-govt-expresses-regrets-over-killings-ri.html

World Bank. (2012). GDP Growth (annual %). Retrieved from The World Bank: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG/countries/LA-ID?display=graph

Out-Of-Pocket Expenses in Health Care

2014-03-14T09:14:00.001+10:00

Can't Escape it - The OOP expenses from the research article.

The purpose of the project was to analyse the OOP expenditure on health care as directly reported by Aus households group into older households (those aged greater than 65) and younger households (those aged less than 65).

The project was designed by analysis the statutory data collected by the ABS.

The setting of the project was determined by the sample of 9774 households across all states and territories. The main outcome was determined as finding the OOP expenditures on health care.

The results determined from the project found older households estimated an expense of $3585 +- $686 (9.4 per cent) of total expenditure on all goods and services while younger households had expenses of $3377 +- $83. The cost of medicine was found to be affected reduced as a result of the copayments with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the cost of private health insurance (PHI) was the most expensive item for the younger households.

The results also found the OOP expenses was $28.7 +- billion compared with $21.2 billion as found by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (A government funded organisation). The institute's figure was based on data collection and did not include the premiums of PHI.

Conclusions: OOP expenses account for almost a quarter (22 per cent) of the total health care costs in Australia.

Mean yearly OOP expenditure was slightly higher for the older households compared with the younger households, despite the fact that the older households had significantly lower income and had greater access to health care cards, which were used to defray additional health care costs associated with age.

Other Facts:

Australia spent $121 billion on healthcare in the 2009 Fiscal year. Estimates found this amount was funded by 44% Federal, 26% state and local while the remaining 18% came from copayments and individuals.
The study excluded people living in remote areas, residents of non-private dwellings, foreign diplomats and defence personnel.
Estimates show that there were 8.40 +- 0.03 million households in Australia; of these 1.76 +- 0.02 million had a reference person aged 65 years, and are referred to as the older households. Older households accounted for just over one in five households in the study. The two groups of households, older and younger, varied significantly in terms of their living arrangements (household composition), income, access to health care cards and PHI.
Most of the older households (86% +- 1.2%) consisted of couples only or lone persons, while most of the younger households (63% +- 0.5%) were couples with or without children.
Study doesn't extend to the assessment of financial records and is based on estimated provided by the participants.
The OOP determined in the study is more than the AIHW, but their study was based on the statutory data collections and did not include the cost of PHI premiums.

Mind the gap: $6 GP visit proposal ignores the evidence -@Conversation.

The study lists previously that compared the OOP expenses was referenced in the opening statement that referred to the finding of households pay for almost 25% of the nation’s health costs.

The Australian centre for Health Research (AHCR) proposed a new AUD$6 co-payment for access to bulk-billed general practitioner services. This is because 80 per cent of GP visits are bulk-billed.

The AHCR claims the co-payment would save the federal government budget $750 million a year.

Originally GP visits were bulk-billed as during the Howard years there was a large decline in bulk billing, as GPs made up the lost income by on-charging their patients, this results in a political crists as consumers turned to government services.

Evidence of unnecessary demand for GP services? Bettering the Evaluation and care of Health (BEACH) completed study from 1998 that found GP visits had increased due to the complexity of issues GPs could handle increasing and the rise of chronic illnesses (like Type 2 Diabetes).

The RAND study - Purpose was to perform a Health Insurance Experiment (HIE) and compare with today's quality of health care and determine whether it's still relevant. The HIE was found completed in the 1970s to determine the impact cost sharing took on the national health care rebate.

The study found today's health care has an increased demand on managed care, as has prescription drug use. The study found the cost sharing can be manipulated to reduce waste without damaging health of quality care.

Cost sharing cuts the expenditures by reducing visits but has little effect on the cost of treatment once care is sought. it is widely believed, cost increases are driven by treatment expenses and new technologies, cost sharing can reduce the cost at the various points but may have little effect on the overall rate of cost growth.

Six dollar co-payment to see a doctor: a GP’s view

The GP says the question is, are co-payments likely to reduce GP visits? Yes. Are they likely to deter only “unnecessary” GP visits? No.

The RAND study had poor outcomes for those with vision or high blood pressure, with the group being predicted as having a higher risk of dying.

900,000 people in the United States: co-payment increases were followed by a reduction in GP visits but also by significant increases in hospitalisation. These effects were biggest in those with lower income, less education and with pre-existing illness.

"Co-payments may have adverse health consequences and may increase total spending on health care.”

The vast number of GP visits are for managed conditions like high blood pressure, immunisations, "check-ups", respiratory tract infections, depression, diabetes and back pain etc.

The GP says costs are best managed by assisting patients in learning how to manage their own health conditions and by reducing the number of unnecessary prescriptions and repeat visits that could be managed by the patients once given the correct advice.

What does Public Relations mean to me?

2014-03-06T12:05:00.002+10:00

Public Relations (PR) is the practice that involves the managing and distribution of information from an individual or an organisation and the public. According to the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) PR is the, “deliberate, planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain mutual understanding between an organisation (or individual) and its (or their) publics." (Public Relations Institute of Australia, 2013). This definitions provided by the PRIA is the definition I’m familiar with.

I have come to this understanding after reading the Chapter 1 of Tymson’s Communication Theory and Public Relations Practice and Chia’s Public Relations in the Twenty-First Century.
Theory provided by Tymson explains effective public relations occurs after the practitioner understands three aspects; Understanding the communication process, understanding the receiver and applying then applying this knowledge to the development and planning of public relations campaigns. (Tymson)

According to Tymson, Shanon and Weaver’s Mathematical Theory of Communication reflects how the deliberate communication is practiced. The theory identified the steps within the communication process as; sender, encoding, message, channel, noise, decoding, receiver, and feedback, however further to this the communication draws on the common experience of the intended target of the message. (Cutlip, Center and Broom)

The planning is perhaps closely related to having an understanding of what’s valued in PR. Tymson lists 5 points on PR values which outline the importance of developing a relationship between an organisation and their public by listening and taking ideas on board as well as informing and giving ideas and promoting plans. The values defining PR work towards outlining the importance of planning and sustaining an effort to establish and maintain the mutual understanding between an organisation and it’s public.

This is my understanding of public relations, effective PR communication results in an individual or organisation gaining exposure by using ideas that are of interest to the public to achieve exposure to their target audience.

What is Public Relations and it's definition?

2014-03-06T10:54:00.000+10:00

What is Public Relations?

Understanding the profession and having a knowledge of what it does and how it's practised is important to understanding its values, ethos and professional philosphy.

PR practitioners engage in all levels of an organisation and communicty as they develop new ways to work with communities and other publics and audiences and adapt their practice to changing societal needs and demands.

Today's PR is flued and complext (Murphy, 2000), but there is also considerable opportunity for public relations in this unpredictable environment.

Public relations developments worldwide are creating opportunities for growth, a leading Estonian public relations professor (2011: 50), indicates that 'the focus in society has changed and PR has the opportunitity of a lifetime to show its true professional character as a social actor and integrator.'

Understanding and defining PR needs increasing sophistication.

The US perspective given by Glen Broom (2009: 27) suggests that we can define and understand public relations by recognising what it is not:

Public relations is not marketing, as the 'goal of marketing is to attract and satistfy customers on a sustained basis in order to secure 'market share' and to achieve an organisation's economic objectives'. Wehmeier (2009: 277) proposes that as a 'communication management orientation increases, the marketing perspective seems to vanish or at least diminish,' support the growing prominence of public relations in organisations.

Public relations is not a publicity, although publicity is one of hte tasks of a professional practice, for example promoting an organisation's latest prduct in the media.

It is not advertising as advertisers 'control content, placement and timing by paying for media advertising time and space.' (Broom, Cutlip & Ceater 2009: 30)

In 2012 the PRSA announced the definition of public relations as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organisations and their public relations practice and has a limited perspective.

Dan Lattimore and others (2012: 4) defines public relations as:

"A leadership management funciton that helps achieve organisational objectives, defines philosophy, and facilitates organisational change. PR practitioners communicate with all relevant internal and external audiences to develop positive relationships and create consistency between organisational goals and societal expectations. PR practiterions develop, execute and evaluate organisational programs that promote the exchange of influence and understanding among an organisation's constituent parts and publics."

The Author of Publication Relations in the Twenty-First century defines PR by building on our understanding of the profession:

- Collaborates with diverse publics through dialogue and multi-way discussion, networking and relationship monitoring and management.
- Researches and evaluates its practice to understand how to engage majority and minority groups in organisations and society, and to explore mutual objectives, embrace new ideas and be prepared to take a step back when more negotiation is required.
- Is creative and innovative, yet flexible in its practice, as it constantly adapts to changing needs and changing circumstances.

Defining PR values:

- Emphasis on transparent, two-way communication where listening and taking ideas on board is as important as inofmring, giving your ideas and promoting your plans.
- Representing the interests and needs of your organisation and also working for what is best for society.
- Ethical and responsible practice where organisations go beyond serving the community to giving back to the community.
- Relation development between organisations and their publics.
- PR taking an active role in an organisation to counsel and ensure that the implications of decisions on public relations are voiced when decsions are being made.
(These values shape the practice because ethically managed communication underpins all aspects of PR - It is through this type of practice that the profession gains respect and dignity)

Public Service Broadcasting

2014-03-06T10:30:00.005+10:00

Ethos of PSB (Public Service Broadcasting)

Broadcast should not be used just to entertain.
Broadcasting should bring to the home th best of human knowledge, endeavour and achievement.
A moral tone.
No gularity or spiteful comments.
Be an educator.

Five Principles according to Debrett, 2009.

* Universal Service
* Independence from government or vested interest groups to offer impartial news.
* Service the interest of minorities.
* To reflect national culsture and identity.
* Provision of quality programming.

PSB in the multi-meida platform era.

Digital media technologies have brought with them ways of delivering the public service remit: multichannels for delivering diversity and innovation.

PSB needs to provide a free service accessible to all. The flexibility of on-demand television and news is reinvented form of university. (Digital Divide idea)

What is Communication

2014-03-06T10:29:00.006+10:00

What is communication?

Communication is a process that supports business Supporting the process of communication is the key element of Public Relations.

Public Relations practitioners are professional communicators.

"Human communication is the action of people talking, listening, seeing, feeling and reacting to each other, their experiences, and their environment." (Communication Theory and Public Relations Practice)

Communication theory today recognises the importance of the audience, "that audiences bring their own expectations and prejudices to their reading, listening and viewing and that they never accept precisely what they are told."

In Public relations practice, the receiver is termed the "target audience" or "target public."

Principles of Communication:

Credibility - The receiver must have confidence in the sender.
Context - The sender must allow for participation and feedback.
Context - The sender must acknowledge and understand the receiver's frame of reference.
Content - Must be of meaning to the receiver.
Clarity - Message must be put in simple terms.
Continuity - Repetition helps the message penetrate.
Consistency - The message must be consistent.
Channels - The sender must use channels that the receiver uses and respects.
Complete - The message must contain all the important details.
Courtesy - Consider the receiver and what their reaction will be to your communication.

How is this knowledge applied to Communications practice?

The pasic public relations planning model is RACE - Research, Action, Communication and Evaluation.

Once these elements have been identified the objectives and outcomes we want to create and the right triggers to reach the intended audience can be planned for.

What is PR

2014-03-04T09:38:00.004+10:00

What is Public Relations?

"The management function which seeks to establish and maintain, through deliberate planning, mutually beneficial relationships between an organisation and its various publics on whom its success or failure depends." (Cultip & Centre, 2007)

There's two types of PR Proactive and Reactive. Proactive is the better of the two. Re-active can be dangerous.

Edward Lous Bernays - Studied crowed psychology, Set up PR 'counsel' in New York (1912) - Wikipedia.

PR is about Building relationships... PR is about trust: achieved overtime through words and deeds. PR Practitioner's job: To become experts at managing the communication programme of an organisation. Consult management to consider consequences of the organisation's actions on its publics.

With hard-work and planning the negative consequences of a campaign can be minimised.

What PR is Not

It suffers from a negative image. It s not a magic potion (REMEDY) for abad policies, products, or services.

Not a substitute for good/bad management. If the head isn't attached to the body, the head wont get anywhere.

PR is not a device for deceiving the public.

PR is not what should be used should something negative come up within an organisation, PR is ongoing and works best when there are ongoing campaigns.

PR Campaigns are coordinated, purposeful, extended efforts designed to achieve a specific goal or set of interrelated goals, that will move the organisation toward longer range objectives. (Newsom, Turk & Kruckeberg, 2007)

Examples of campaigns; awareness campaigns (for organisations that need more public awareness), knowledge campaigns (more information about a particular subject as part of your campaign).

A systematic set of communication activities, each with a specified purpose, continued over a set period of time and dealing with objectives relating to a particular issue.

Campaigns are designed and developed to address an issue, solve a problem, or to correct or improve a situation. The problem might be as simple as creating awareness about a company or a company's mission.

Examples of Campaigns; No Plane, No Gain.

"We're all trying to battle misperception," said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association, which represents corporate-jet owners. "The vast majority of the time, these jets are flying offices, where people can conduct business and have confidential discussions that could never occur on a commercial jetliner," Mr. Bolen said - Read more at the Wall Street Journal.

Not all campaigns are so central to the organisation as to change its positioning or alter its corporate culture.

Mergers are good PR campaigns... I.e. Hewlett Packard and Compaq in 2001 - Read more at HP.com.

Types of PR Campaigns

Public Awareness - Cyclones, Sports complex in Townsville etc...
Public Information Campaigns -
Public Education Campaign - Emotional aspects of a situation etc...
Reinforcement of Attitudes and behaviours - Those who are in agreement with your organisation's position - Clean-up Australia (above and below)
Changing or attempting to change the attitudes - Those who do no agree.
Behaviour modification campaigns - New legislation -> Use booster seats...

Theories that Inform Public Relations Campaigns - Theories are used to determine the consequence of a campaign. If X then Y... If we do this than this will happen... Models of communication.

Models of Comm Theory.
Hierachy of Effects Theory.
Situational Theory.
Maslow's Hierachy of Needs Theory.
Elaboration Liklihood Theory.
Agenda-Setting Theory.
Social Learning Theory.
Source, Message, Channel, Receiver model.

Need to be able to assess the needs, goals and capabilities of priority publics.

Systematic campaign planning and production.

Continuous monitoring and evaluation to see what is working and where extra effort or changes need to be made;

Consideration of the complimentary roles of mass media and interpersonal communication.

Selection of the appropriate media for each priority public, with due consideration for each medium's ability t deliver the message.

Five elements crucial to successful campaigns

The Educational Aspect - Always enlighten it's public.
Engineering - Ensure that the means are there (or convenient) for publics to do what you want them to do.
Enforcement - Must be something beyond the incentive to underscore the significance of the campaign. Seatbelt campaigns - laws for non-compliance enacted.
Entitlement (form of Re-inforcement) - Publics are convinced of the value of the appeals of the campaign and 'buy into' the message.
Evaluation - Evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign with a statistical analysis.

One of the most successful campaigns in Australia - (Slip, Slop, Slap) and Smokey the Bear in the USA.

New campaigns building on old campaigns... etc... counter-campaigns which work against someone else's campaigns... i.e. people who are vitamin D deficient.

CU2021 - Public Relations Campaigns

2014-02-25T09:40:00.000+10:00

The of CU2021 is to develop a theoretical and technical understanding of public relations and public relations campaigns.

To explore components of a campaign. To provide a critical analysis of different types of campaigns - elections, protests, corporate, etc (Why they succeed or how they fail?)

To examine and evaluate some of the critical planks of public relations.

Crisis management; issues management; media relations; PR writing.

To develop and execute a program of public relations using effective PR tools.

Public relations tools and activities

By using proven public relations (PR) tools and activities, you can promote positive attitudes and behaviours towards your business that will help convert interested consumers into customers. Read more at business.qld.gov.au.

Requirements in this subject:

A media release - 15%
A media alert - 3%
75 word or rationale on why you chose the particular angle you chose - 28 of March 2014.

Assignment 2 - The Longest - Due 28 of May - Planning a full media campaign, strategies, goals, objectives together with the two tools based on the media campaign you are planning.

Final Exam - 2 hours - 40% - Case study with some requirement to produce practical PR tools. Revision available in final lectures and tutorials.

Tutorials - 10% - Do the readings, listen, read and keep up with the news. Tape part in class discussions. Contribute ideas and insights into the PR cases to be discussed.

Course Campaigns - What are the components of a successful PR campaign? (Best job in the world - QLD Tourism, 2008 US Presidential campaign, Oprah, Elen, Yes we can - The 2008 US Presidential campaign)

How important is the relationship between an organisation and it's publics? (Marketing, Advertising, Communications) - Strategies - Apologise or deny responsibility... etc.

How are these relationships fostered and maintained, particularly in times of crises? How would you address the aftermath of an environmental event... i.e. Townsville City Council, PR campaign on preparedness.

Formative Research - Formative research looks at the community in which an agency is situated, and helps agencies understand the interests, attributes and needs of different populations and persons in their community. Formative research is research that occurs before a program is designed and implemented, or while a program is being conducted. Formative research can help.

Read chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5 of textbook.

Secret America

2014-02-24T04:10:00.001+10:00

Undercover journalists Mariana and Darren journey to some of the country's most haunted locations and examine America's obsession with the paranormal. Read more about Secret America here.

The Real Port Hinchinbrook

2013-12-30T17:58:00.002+10:00

Cardwell, gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and the World Heritage Wet Tropical Rainforest has had its fair share of issues ranging from environmental to the management of land in Australia's coastal zones.

The reality is a grim situations that speaks of a development that's been falling apart since many years before Cyclone Yasi.

From empty blocks, to countless houses for sale, to fallen trees and overgrown median strips, to weed spoiled bitumen, exposed electrical wires and irrigation hoses, bitumen that now resembles an unsealed or forestry road and streets that have been closed to the public in order to keep prying eyes out.

An agreement signed between the Williams Corporation and the government in the late 1990s binded the resort's owner to the continued maintenance of the sewerage system, roads, marina and other infrastructure at the resort.

In the past, there have been buyers interested in purchasing the resort and taking on the development. Most recently, Townsville businessman Tony Dotta expressed his interest in purchasing the site but was turned off from buying the resort after learning of the high maintenance costs.

Although he described purchasing the site as 'financial suicide' residents will remember Dotta for the removal of Villas from the Port's resort, which was just on the other side of this fence.

As the development is still private land the council and state government have no direct responsibility to maintain the infrastructure, despite parts of the development being available for public use such as the existing boat ramp that also provides direct access to the Hinchinbrook Channel.

Those crowds that often come from neighbouring regional centres such as Townsville and Cairns of a weekend, often pack the boat ramp out and are believed to be the main cause for the deteriorating resort roads.

Residents of the resort have a responsibility to pay both the resort's body corporate fees and council rates.

Prior to the development being proposed the Joh Bjelke-Peterson government had commissioned a feasibility study to determine the best placement for a port along the Northern Coast, between the Hinchinbrook Channel and Clump Point - at Mission Beach.

In the report, it outlined specifically that the site Oyster Point, which is the site Port Hinchinbrook has been developed on. In the report it said it should not be used, due to the high sedimentation and ongoing dredging costs.

Spokesperson Margaret Moorhouse from the Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook said it was clear the site should have never been developed as a port.

Workplace Policy - Hwer are we now

2013-10-17T10:43:00.000+10:00

This lecture will be looking at the scope and significance of industrial relations in Australian politics & society. So the history and how did we get where we are now? Language, rhetoric and symbols of "IR". This lecture focuses on the detail of the legislation and policy debate. Tension between efficiency & equity. How different are party policies from WorkChoices to Fair Work?

So what's in a name? (Industrial relations, employment relations, human resource management, workplace relations & resilience of "industrial relations") Important relations, industrial relations to some extent are all used interchangeably to cover the relationship between employers and employees. It includes the rules and conditions under which people are employed. It's a broad field that covers all aspects of work and employment.

Industrial Relations is most common in Australian History though in the 80s, industrials relations started to be defined as employment relations. As IR had complications of being in relation to trade unions. The term employment relations was supposed to include the institutional, trade unions and other larger bodies.

Human Resource management is now the preferred term to describe the relationship and study of employment matters. Workplace relations was later defined in the 80s which had a focus on the individual enterprise or the individual workplace - Because that's where the rules and conditions under which people work should be set - At the workplace people would agree on the rules and conditions under which they work.

Scope & Significance of IR - Political and Policy Contest is related to work central to income, status and identity. It is a wide-ranging policy connection involving the labour market, economy, welfare and social security. There are connections with Human rights, democracy and the aspect of people being given a 'fair go.'

Strikes - Represent something of a challenge to the status quo and to authority.

There is a Fundamental Transformation of workplace policy

Change in Australian industrial relations since 1980s.
Liberal WRA (1996) important - but process began with Labor in the 1980s. Work Choices (2005-07) was the fundamental change.

So how far did the Labor rollback go?

Arbitration, Awards & Centralised Wage-Fixing - Federal power shared with the states (S.51.xxxv) Arbitration part of "settled policy" and awards and centralized wage fixing:

1904 - Federal Conciliation of Arbitration Act
The FCoAA was a central aspect of IR for most of the 20th century. Western Australia still has a state based Industrial Relations system.
State governments around Australia are pretty much compliant with the Federal IR act except WA which as mentioned above retains it's power.

Labor in Power - 1983 - 1996 - Centralisation evident in wage indexation was a core aspect of the Accord. External economic crisis, awards & centralised wage fixing impeded productivity and competitiveness.

1986 - Award Re-structuring.
1993 - Enterprise Bargaining.

Workplace Relations Act 1996

It was introduced as rhetoric, freedom of choice, flexibility and that no worker will be worse off.

It reduced the role of unions, limited the role of status of arbitration and provided a new direction in individualisation - AWAs (no disadvantage test) - Also assaulted union power - the 1998 waterfront dispute.

How big was the shift in IR from Labor to Coalition workplace relations reform.

"A continuation of the existing trajectory of industrial relations reform" ?

Labor reduced centrality of arbitration - but policy was based on collectivism & representation.

The Coalition referred to individualisation and union exclusion - but residual elements of collectivism.

Changing the Employment & IR resulted in polarisation of earnings, decline in industrial action, emergency of the "working poor", longer working hours and the work intensification and perceived job insecurity.

There has been a tremendous change in the days lost as a result of industrial strikes. It was in the 1000s in the 70s and is now well below that figure.

The shifts in industrial relations has shown a moved from centralised arbitration and industry awards to a decentralised "enterprise bargaining" system. Most workers union members - is approximately only 18% of the workforce. Wages driven by prices & fairness to where wages a re dependent on workplace change, productivity and a demand for labor.

WorkChoices - Was introduced as a single national system - changed constitutional basis of Australian legislation.

Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard (Work Choices) - was going to set a minimum on wages by AFPC, the maximum ordinary hours of work (38 hours) can be averaged or annualised. Individualisation extended, AWA facilitated no NDT, agreements must comply with AFPC Standard (may removal all other provisions by agreement), AWAs apply immedately upon lodgment (no approval, certification or 'cooling-off' process).

WorkChoices limited the collective bargaining & union activities restricted (no requirement for negotiation or collective agreement even if majority of employees wanted one - it left it totally up to the employer)

Cooper - "WorkChoices was a profoundly anti-union policy. It restricted unions’ ability to take industrial action and to enforce collective bargaining, it made organising non-union worksites much more difficult and it gave employers the capacity to marginalise unions and to avoid unionisation."

Work Choices shifted the power to employers and meant de-regulation in 1800 pages? AWAs used to remove penalty rates, overtime allowances & reduce pay - especially in the hospitality industry.

The Coalition emphasised Language, Rhetoric & Symbols - Freedom, Choice, Flexibility & Fairness.

Labor's Policy in 2007 was an election campaign that condemned WorkChoices, but rhetoric less extreme and diluted. The Forward with Fairness: "Fairness is about getting the balance right. The Howard Government's WorkChoices laws went too far in tilting all the rules in favour of one side." IR important factor in the election of 07.

National Employment Standards involved Fair Work Australia which was renamed the Fair Work commission last year. The Fair Work Act replaced AIRC, Fair Pay Commission, Workplace Authority and Office of Workplace Services. It prevented unfair dismissal provisions for all employees.

The Election 2013 Policy of the Coalition left out WorkChoices or any work place relations policy. They did however say if there were any changes they would be introduced after the next election.

Basically the conclusion is more heat than light in IR debate. Continuities evident in policy, but Labor more collectivist, Coalition more individualist. Abbott Government may have other immediate priorities probably more the abolition of the Carbon Tax.

Employment Policy in Australia

2013-10-10T10:54:00.000+10:00

Employment policy in Australia is one of the biggest concerns of government in today's age. Social policy is generally linked to the labour party.

"Employment is the means of earning a living having an identity, acquiring social staus in society and participating in social activities. Employment constitutes the fundamental prerequisite for the rights of social citizenship. An unemployed person is condemned to an inferior status and is deprived of access to resources."

Policy Objectives of Employment Policy include:

Increasing human capital.
Social protection for individuals and groups.
Main focus: Level of employment, workforce skills availability of trained workers to meet industry demand and unemployed people who want to work can get a job.

Unemployment in Australia is 5.8 % of the labour force. >5% 2006-2008, 4% February 2008, 5.9% June 2009, August 2012 it is currently around 5.1%.

An unemployment graph can be found at tradingeconomics.com.

What's the problem?

If unemployment is actually low compared to most of the world allot of people are saying, what's the problem?

"If the big problem since the early seventies has been finding jobs for people, the big problem with the new decade will be finding people for jobs." ~ Edwards 2004.

Unemployment in Australia is lower than most comparable countries.

"Highest unemployment represents the largest single policy failure of the last quarter century." Stephen Bell, 2004

What's the Problem??? Social cost is 5.8% = 712,400 people or 16.6% are youth (age 15-19), indigenous 16% (2011) and various regional differences. Economic and fiscal cost is unemployment benefits 2013-14 = $9.5 billion. Labour market programs cost $2 billion.

The Australian 2013-14 Budget includes more assistance for other groups within the community such as the aged, families, veterans and those with disabilities.

Further... What's the Problem??? At one level unemployment tracks lots of things such as those that have the Dole bludger syndrome (those that could get employment but take advantage of not needing to work by staying on welfare payments). The workforce has changed over the last 50 years - Incresaed employment of women has led to gender segregation of industry and occupation. There has been a decline in manufacturing employment and an increase in services employment.

The Workforce change... There has been an increase in part-time and casual jobs. Long hours of work for full-time employees - high levels of under employment for others. There's been a decline in full-time jobs with 'standard' hours. Increasing "own account" workers and independent contractors. Growing inequalities in income and work conditions.

Policy Components for Employment Policies - Market direction is relied upon for economic growth and labour price flexibility to better match the demand and supply. Government intervention includes industry policy, labour market programs: demand for labour and supply of labour. (workers)

Generally both parties have utilised both approaches by moving in the market direction. The coalition likely to favour the market (liberals) while labor are more sympathetic to intervention.

Labour - Priority on skills education and training, connnection between labour force, productivity and social inclusion.

Coalition - Demand for labour = overall economic growth.

Economic Growth - The rate of growth shapes the level of employment. Australian economy needs to grow by 3% if unemployment is to remain stable. GDP forecast: 2013-14 = 2.5% and 2014-15 = 3%. The unemployment forecast is 6.25% on average, June 2014.

Wages - Neo-liberal argument is unemployment caused by lack of labour market flexibility. Lower wages = more employment, Wage increases = more unemployment. But too hard to lower wages - Employers will reduce labour costs by downsizing, casual or outsourced employment, which results in work intensification. Wage-fixing institutions and trade unions prevent a free market - attempts to minimise the role of arbitration and unions.

The Counter argument is no clear correlation between the level of wages and the level of unemployment. Some countries have higher wages than Australia and lower levels of unemployment. Some countries have lower wages than Australia but higher overall unemployment.

Intervention - Industry Policy - Government support needed to boost investment and jobs in target industries.

"If they really wnat ot bring an end to unemployment, governments will have to undertake more public investment and intervene direction to supply jobs."

Labor government (2012) - Some fiscal stimulus went to industry to keep Ford and General Motors in Australia. Assistance to vehicle manufacturing is 'for the good of the economy and the nation.'

Intervention - Labour market programs - Macro/general level is education and training systems & policy push for education to provide employment skills. Child care and parental leave. Micro/individual level is the active labour market programs such as employment services and individualised training.

Election 2013 Labor Launch focused on jobs and training with a 'rapid response' to newly unemployed. Federal construction projects to employ minimum numbers of apprenticies and trainees. Commitment to future of TAFE funding and federal takeover if states don't maintain funding. Jobs and Training boards in 42 regions.

While the Coalition promised one million new jobs over the next five years (1.7% a year) and two million new jobs over the next decade (1.6% increase per year).

"Create Jobs by Boosting Productivity" - Download the Policy

"Unemployment can have a corrosive impact on individuals, families and society at large. In addition to the economic costs, unemployment can be particularly debilitating particularly if for long periods of time. Allowing people who could readily work to stay out of the workforce for long periods is cruelty, not compassion."

Both parties committed to indigenous employment plans, neither party committed to increase the newstart allowance however they both were concerned about international education.

Measuring Unemployment

Concepts include labour force, employed, unemployed, long-term unemployed, very long-term unemployed, participation rate, youth unemployment, part-time work, casual employment, underemployment & underutilisation, hidden unemployment.

Unemployment is measured independently of looking at hte Australian Government social welfare system and is measured by the ABS.

Households selected for the labour force survey are from a selection of 26,000 household, c. 60,0000 people.

Concepts - Employed worked for a least one hour a week or normally worked but on leave etc. Unemployed meant you didn't work for more than an hour and are actively looked for work in the preceding 4 weeks and were available to start work. Unemployment rate is the % of labour force which is employed.

ABS labour force survey, August 2013 - The Labour Force = 12,360,700 people 54 % males and femals are 46%. The tred over the last 4-5 years has steadily declined since June 2009 but crept back up in 2011 to it's current position, just below 6%.

Long-term unemployed is (0ver 52 weeks). In the 1970s this was around 5% while in 1989 it was around 22% today in August 2012 it was 18.7% and in August 2013 it was 19.6%.

Very Long-term unemployed - over 104 weeks is 9.5%.

Youth unemployment (15-19) is another category - August 2010 (17.3%) and in August 2013 (16.4%) (132,600). Unemployed youth that are looking for full-time work is 26.4%.

The life of a Strava Athlete

2013-10-03T12:56:00.001+10:00

Dressed in tight fitting lycra and swathed in sweat, I travel as far as I can go along a road heading up into the hills of Townsville, knowing my challenge has not yet been met. When there's time for a break, I take a swig of my favourite orange flavoured electrolytes drink, and continue on.
What sets myself apart from other young fitness warriors is the drive to accomplish new heights of achievement, both on foot and on bicycle. Achievements often gained through inadequate experience and training, but achievements nonetheless. It’s a game that has become a new way of life.

I strive to meet challenges that the average health addict, runner or cyclist would take months—years to achieve with normal levels of regular training. I'm driven by the ability to quantify the work I've put in by comparing numbers with other like-minded people through the 'Facebook' of the fitness world, Strava.

It's a Wednesday morning; I wake at 3am and prepare for my morning ritual of a black coffee and a sweet biscuit before I suit up, head-out and start spinning circles. As I head out, I notice that a Strava user I follow has just beaten my personal best (PB) for a segment of road known as "3 Lions." It's not a very popular segment but it's one that I know I can handle — a 1.4km all-out sprint. My friend's results earned him the King of the Mountain (KOM) by completing the segment in 2 minutes and 21 seconds, with an average speed of 36.1km/h. To beat this, I knew I would have to warm-up extensively.

I plan a nice slow warm-up by riding about 30km before attempting the 3 Lions. I determine the best option was to spin into town and head-up Castle Hill, followed by a nice recovery ride along the strand before attempting the 3 Lions.
As I approach the 3 Lions, I gear down and start pushing the pedals hard, transferring power into the cranks and then into the wheels. My speed climbs from 27km/h to 39km/h, a speed I would have to maintain for at least the next 2 minutes. When it's all over just two minutes and 18 seconds later I realise I've won the KOM and will now appear at the top of the Strava’s leader board, with an average of 36.9km/h.

After mentally giving myself a pat on the back, I realised my ride wasn't over yet. You see, I'm taking part in a cycling mileage challenge and need to maintain my position on the leader board. This particular challenge I've joined on Strava requires that I ride 963km in 23 days — an average distance of 41km a day. However, my mindset is to complete the required distance as fast as possible so I can get back to cross training in my other fitness area of running.

At the top of Mount Stuart in Townsville the destination of one of my recent Strava rides.

You see, last the week before the Strava cycling challenge, I was not a cyclist but a champion long-distance runner, with an average pace of 6 minutes a kilometre. Though my speed may not be up to that of world-renowned marathon runners, I accomplished running 80 miles, a distance of 128km in 10 days, an average of about 12 km per day. What makes this even more astonishing, I suppose, is that prior to this I had only run 20km in the week before.

It begs the question, when do you stop? When do you step back and decide you need to take a break, rather than risk over training? The 80-mile running challenge pushed me over the limit. I self-diagnosed shin splints about 6 days into the challenge, which was probably due to using incorrect running techniques and attempting a half-marathon with a distance of 21km. However despite my injury, the next day I ran a further 8km, just at a slower than usual pace. At the end of the challenge I took a few days rest and then got straight back into cycling, to give my shins some much needed recovery time.

As I looked back at my achievements in these challenges, I discovered I had lost 1kg in weight, improved on my 5km pace and achieved a new 10km PB. Which can otherwise take weeks to improve with 'normal training.'

With new social fitness devices being released just about every 6 months and applications springing up everywhere on smartphones, there's no doubt about the fact that people love quantifying their fitness in numbers. Perhaps it’s because, once we have numbers and data to represent the activities we take part in, we can no-longer lie to our friends or ourselves about our fitness.

If competing in group challenges isn't your thing, perhaps setting a personal challenge like walking or running a certain amount of kilometres is. Walker Alastair Tse who is a member of Quantified Self, a group of people fascinated by taking an interest in self knowledge through self-tracking, has set a goal to walk all of Manhattan. While others such as Matthew Ames transformed himself through the use of various quantified fitness tools like Nike+ and MyFitnessPal in a bid to lose 40lbs of weight in a year.

As for myself, right now I am happy simply completing challenges and getting my name on the first page of leader boards for certain challenges and segments. If I can achieve a KOM it's a bonus. Tracking my fitness has turned my health into a game that's as easy or as hard as I want to make it. I can even inspire my friends to have knowledge through self-tracking their own fitness. I hope that they too can get meaning out of their personal data.

Later this month in San Francisco the global conference, Quantified Self 2013 will allow self-trackers and tool-makers to meet and inspire each other and learn from each other's self-tracking projects and achievements.

Australia - The Envy of the World

2013-09-19T10:20:00.004+10:00

IMAGINE a country of about 25m people, democratic, tolerant, welcoming to immigrants, socially harmonious, politically stable and economically successful; good beaches too. It sounds like California 30 years ago, but it is not: it is Australia today. Yet Australia could become a sort of California—and perhaps a still more successful version of the Golden State…

Read the full article at The Economist...

Economic Growth is measured in the changed in GDP.

Australia's Economic grwoth between 1998 and 2007 grew by 3.6%.

Currently it's at about 3.3%. The lowest point in Australia's GDP was in 09 when the effects of the Global Recession were felt.

What does Australia's debt look like? 2011-12 = 9.6% GDP, 2012-13 = 11.4%.

While comparing to nations around the world in 2013:

Australia 9.4%
Canada 33.4%

View a full list of Countries by public debt at Wikipedia.

View a list of Countries by tax revenue as percentage of GDP.

Econoimc policy dominates public policy.
Has changed significantly in structural reform, 1983 - present.
Australia has a good story in econoimc policy.
But can't afford to relax. Economic policy is difficult and faces significant challenges.

Party Promises

2013-09-19T09:51:00.003+10:00

Both parties promised growth, jobs, low interest rates and fiscal responsibility.

Both major parties blame each other for the problems within Australia.

Some promises made by the Coalition include:

4.3 Billion parental leave scheme.
Axe carbon pricing and mining tax.
$18 Billion infrastructure over 5 years.
Savings of $43 billion, including:
- foreign aid $4.5 billion.
- 12,000 fewer public servants $5.2 billion.
- 'Stopping the boats': $1 billion.
Fiscal position better off by 6.3 billion over 4 years:
- Deficits still projected for? years.
- Tony Abbott: a 'situational Keynesian'
Policies on asylum seekers, broadband, climate change not submitted to PBO (Parliamentary Budget Office)

Commissions of Audit - A big part of the challenge for whoever takes on the Commission of Audit will be finding areas to extract sizeable savings outside designated ‘frontline’ areas that have been quarantined that include public-facing staff at Medicare, Centrelink, the Australian Federal Police, Defence and Customs.

Politics of Policy

Hartcher 2011 assessment of both political parties:

Government is the critical element in good policy, and good policy is the critical element in economic outcomes.

If the electorate will not reward good performace, why bother performing?.. It's much easier to deal in cheap populism than good policy, to run fear campaigns than reform agendas, to demonise the rival party than to propose better alternatives.

What is a News Feature

2013-08-09T10:45:00.000+10:00

What are features?

Features could be described as non-fiction short stories, quotation filled, descriptive, informative and entertaining stories (reading week 1)

A new features; Tells the COMPLETE story! It explores an issue going BEYOND a single event, Provides solid research and planning.

News Features allow for expansion of a news story. It's a good way to profile a person...

Key elements include; Humanize, humanize, humanize which adds colour to a news event, educate the audience, illuminate about a complex series of events and is able to entertain your readers.

Longer in length than straight news stories.

The Process of writing a feature:

Come up with a story or idea and get a clear idea of your angle and of the topic.
Research your idea/topic.
Create on clear concise statement that sums up the story you want to tell.
Outline the logical steps.
Use Visual support!

The Outline of your feature should include a brainstorm of your ideas...

Your angle should be as unique as possible and allow you to remember your focus is what your pitch's first sentence is.

If this process is followed the reader should be able to stay focused throughout...

Before the body of your feature, write the lead and the conclusion then the body.

The structure of a Feature: the lead

A lead: a block of one or two paragraphs, used to arouse the readers, sets the mood and the scene and invites the readers into the feature.

THE NUT GRAPH - In straight news writing the nut is the first thing that will be provided in your story, in a feature the nut graph will come later on. It answers the question, 'so what?' It explains the reason why the story is being written.

THE BODY - It's main aim is to educate the reader. The body provides vital informaiton for the audience, informs about the event/topic discussed and, well done, it emotionally ties an audience to the subject.

Strong story telling skills required.

Use Background information as well.

RISKS: don't loose the reader's attention...

Dialogue, can be used to keep the story moving (However, dialogue must be very accurate in news features)

THE CONCLUSION - The ending of a feature wraps up the story and COMES BACK to the lead. If you don't tie the ending to the beginning there is a risk your story will just fade away, it could read like a story that lacks purpose.

Writing features doesn't involve the use of the INVERTED PYRAMID.

It's very common to note use the pyramid in features. The style is more narrative. News can be written escaping the inverted structure and still appear as a front page. Once you escape the pyramid the rules apply in other ways.

THE THREE ACT Structure in Plain English - Youtube it!

News features must include; rich descriptions, characters, interviews and can also include; anecdotes that are observed (not only spoken. E.g. impressions, feelings, facial expressions, mannerism, etc.)

Polishing the feature - Re-read your story before submitting it at least 3 times, check your tenses flow throughout the story, the fairness of the statements and facts. Only one idea per paragraph. First person should be reduced as much as possible.

Style is about many thing, it's your personality, it's your voice, what voice will you use in your feature... Style is about the use of techniques, the ability to blend factual details with rich descriptions.

The Australian Settlement

2013-08-08T09:51:00.005+10:00

Values shaping the Settlement, Pillars & Policies, Demolition of the Settlement, A bit of History, 'Criticisms of the Australian Settlement'.

Paul Kelley's book, The End of Certainty (1992) looks through the 1980s which he says is an attempt to restructure the Australian political tradition. Moving into the 20th century consensus major policy directions & themes - i.e. 'settle policy'. Certainty of established policies replaced by uncertainties of economic re-structure. Moved from an area of certainty to uncertainty.

Kelly's main points on the Settlement of Australia...

Australia was founded on; faith in government authority, belief in egalitarianism, judicial determination of wages, protection of industry and jobs, dependence upon a great power for security and finance & hostility to geographical location.

"This framework... is undergoing an irresistible demolition." ~ Paul Kelley

There are values that exist alongside settlement that people should be aware of; that is a belief in the role of government, belief in fairness and equality, xenophobia.

Pillars of the Australian Settlement in terms of Public Policy:

White Australia (restrictive immigration policy (very first law by Commonwealth Parliament - Immigration Restriction Act 1901), Immigration policy to ensure harmony and unity.

"The unity of Australia is nothing, if that does not imply a united race. A united race not only means that its members can intermix, intermarry and associate without degradation on either side, but implies one inspired by the same ideas..." (Deakin, Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, 12 September 1901, p.4807)Alfred Deakin

Industry Protection - Tariffs on imported goods, Import substitution - not export-oriented policy. Tariffs protected Australian jobs and 'fair' wages, 1950s - 1970s - Australia and New Zealand had the highest manufacturing tariffs in the developed world.
Wage Arbitration - Judicial setting of wages and working conditions, system based on needs of the worker, wages adjusted to cost of living.
State Paternalism - Belief in government action (tradition of government owned enterprise), early social security measures (1950s - 1970s lagged behind Europe).
Imperial Benevolence - Geographical location required close security and trade ties with Britain (Basis of defence policy + trade and foreign investment policy), Empire changed in World War II from Britain to the United States (but subservience remained).

Demolition of the Settlement - Fundamental political divide not Labor vs Liberal as they were both heading in same policy direction. The new divide is those who know the Australian Settlement is unsustainable vs those who fight to retain it.

More history...

Protection of Industry & Jobs - Arbitration, immigration controls, expansive system of tariff protection. Australian was a laboratory of social reform and democracy.

Throughout the 1980s the market was turned into Liberalism, forced by international economic forces.

Australia's traditional pattern of public policy shifted in the 1980s. Economic change included: End of industry protection, major tariff cuts, impact Tabo on social policy.

Criticisms of the Aust. Settlement; Argument anticipated by others.

Policies were not fixed - Chronologically misleading, White Australia was buried in the 1970s. Foreign policy subservience persists.

Australian Policy = Search for balance between egalitarianism/equity and freedom/efficiency.

1901 - 1983 - nation building.

1983 - 2007 - efficiency, repairing the economy.

2007 - 12 - Swing back to equity?

Cf. Polanyi's 'double movement' theory: policy oscillates from free-market principles & economic re-structuring and mobilisation as a reaction to the excesses of market-driven policy.

Open to criticism - But useful conceptual tool, explains the context in which Aust politics has evolved. Describes the dominant values of Aust public policy, and how they have changed.

Onsight Studio Logo Design

2013-08-07T15:08:00.002+10:00

For the second practical for NM1402 Design for Media Communication we were given the task of replicating a logo for the fictional business, Onsight Studio.

The design is featured below.

Onsight Studio - Logo from Practical

Walking Wounded

2013-08-06T13:02:00.000+10:00

The Four Corners episode that aired on August 5, 2013 showed the tragic IED explosion that changed the life of war photographer Giles Duley forever.

The episode aired on four corners in a structure that's not frequently used. For example normally Four Corners starts with Kerry O'Brien introducing the story, rather this episode first started with shocking scenes from the Afghanistan war in 2011 just prior to the explosion.

The documentary began showing chronologically the incident that unfolded. Dramatic footage of Giles Duley was shown while he spoke in first-person describing the pain he was going through as Army officers placed him into a chopper for an Med Evac. The story then goes on to describe what his reconstruction surgeons faced when carrying out complex medical procedures to ensure his survival.

The documentary changes direction midway through when Duley announced his return to Afghanistan. After this point, the journalist along with Duley visits Afghan nationals in emergency hospitals who have experienced explosions by simply carrying out everyday tasks such as walking to school, driving or sitting on their doorstep.

As the story progresses patients suffering from different injuries are shown. Some look to be beyond talking while others are at an advanced stage of their rehabilitation and can talk to Duley and the journalist.

Considering the main reason for Duley's return to Afghanistan was to finish the job he started, document the Afghan War there are points where Duley's images are shown. Him images make an impact especially when the producers show video captured and then show Duley taking an image with his camera, the next clip is then of what you would imagine his camera is focused on.

As expected the documentary re-communicates Afghanistan's lack of medical facilities. It explains how Afghan's are second in-line for emergency treatment as soldiers receive treatment first at NATO hospitals. It also highlights that their is a fear after coalition forces withdraw conditions may worsen.

What is Public Policy

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Public is the people as a whole. Policy is political wisdom; a course of actions; prudent procedure.

Public Policy is government laws, rules and programs that guide the decisions by government and its agents to act or not act in specific areas.

Public Policy is the purpose, substance and effect.

Purpose why the government has acted and what is achieved; Substance actual content of government action, what the policy is; the effect or the impact of that policy on the public.

Public Policy Practice = the decisions of government.

Public Policy includes interest groups, corporations, media, "public opinions", other arms of state.

Analysing public policy is more than describing government a actions; Must understand influences on decision-makers - and the values involved.

Madison & Dennis - Two categories of definition - Authoritative choice, policy is government making decisions. Policy making is rational & ordered.

Preferred - "Public Policy is the interaction of values, interest and resources, guided through institutions and mediated by politics."

All policies underline values and interests. Interests are often confused as values (who stands to benefit), values are fundamental beliefs or principles.

Elements of Public Policy - Resources, Institutions & Politics.

Spann & Cunrow's types of policy analysis: decision making, policy content and techniques to evaluate and improve the policy.

Parking: "Analysts of public policy try to disentangle these elements of the process, in order to obtain a better understanding of how the whole governmental system operates and perhaps to provide insight into how the process might be improved.

Thomas Dye was a guru of Public Policy - Argued that political science should not be silent or impotent . In the face of political crises and that political scientists have a moral obligation to advance specific policies.

Glyn Davis - "Pointing out the errors of current practice is fun, but it avoids the more risky business of suggesting viable alternative."

In some PP literature politics don't exist. They focus on procedure, techniques, rational, 'scientific ' processes.

Weller - Best politics may be bad politics. Good politics may mean mediocre policy.

Policy as Window dressing or Spin - Spin is the professional selling of the political message. "... Policy making is nine-tenths press release and one-tenth substance."

Community Consultation and engagement is the response of government to public disconnect.

Good policy studies attempt to hold power to account - John Wanna.

Lecture 1

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Why study Digital Media Communication.

Ever heard of socialnomics.

We are apart of the communication revolution.

The way business communicates with us has changed.

There are several models that represent ways of communicating.

The linear model, Shannon Weaver Model of Communication, Interactive model of communication and transactional model.

Is traditional advertising and marketing communication still meaningful with people today?

THE GOAL OF MARKETING is to connect an entity with others.

Communication dictionary definition is - A letter of message containing such information or news.

Communication Design is about informing, educating and delighting people.

Design is problem finding, not just problem solving - Bryan Lawson.

Technology is a catalyst for change.

Any tool that enhances communication affects how we learn.

Photojournalism Lecture

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"Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected." ~ Robert Frank.

Horizontal layout is acceptable for Assignment 4. Think creatively, reporting...

What you can't photograph - Defence installations wihtout permission, commerciall in some national parks and other areas, i.e. Cairns Esplanade, Sydney harbour. Other areas port facilities, shopping centres etc.

A property owner may use reasonable force but not threaten you with violence (assault), seize your camera/card/film or force you to delete your footage.

Private Property - Is private land and is governed by Common Law.

Police can and will arrest you if you are breaking the law (if they think you are breaking the law).

Consent to Publish

Only commercial use requires a consent to publish a photograph.

Snapping Children - Generally speaking it is okay in places like the waterpark at the Strand to take images, however not of children that may be involved in legal matters.

Always get a release if you plan to use an image commercially.

Using a model release for each of your clients grants you permission to use their images on your website, blog or any other promotional materials. It is also a great idea to keep a model release with you at all times, in case you happen to grab a picture somewhere and you think you may want to use it for your promo materials. Simply have your subject fill it out to protect your business - Free Model Release Form.

Links of Interest:

1985, Frank Fournier, World Press Photo of the Year, World Press Photo of the Year - World Press Photo.
Kevin Carter: The Consequences of Photojournalism.
All photography Pulitzer Prizes - View the website with translate.google.com.
Magnum Photos
jamesnachtwey.com
PeterTurnley.com

PR Photography is hard but use available light, use flash as secondary light-source, look at things from a different angle (good composition), think of the ways you can get the most from the light available.

Important to Experiment with all the fields of photography available.

Photographers should write more... Writing takes effor. It's hard work. It sucks.

Assignment 3

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Strong Picture Sequences, Tell the story, 2 interview Guests, PTC, Clean and balanced audio, Safety.

Television not radio... collection of shots from different locations.

UGC - Happy to see if relevant or keeps you safe from going to a questionable location for filming.

The key is the story, issue or event, no complicated language and scripted as if the person was in the room.

VOX Pop is okay to use but two guests is a minimun to be interviewed.

Must have a piece to camera, walking on the frame is okay if meaningful for parts of the story.

Think about providing different ideas in each piece to camera rather than the other group members.

Technique - More than one piece to camera and a trick is to include a sign-off incase you decide to use the piece-to-camera at the end of the story.

If all participate you'll have a much higher change of success as the load is shared.

Watch out for each other

Interviews

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Basics:

Make sure you have the right talent / person to be interviewed.
Don't be apart of the pack, get your own stories.
An acceptable method is door stopping if it's the only way you'll get the interview.
1-on-1 interviews are better as you should get better answers than those given to a bunch of reporters.
Shot size is determined by the surrounds.
Research is very important - You need to know enough to be able to challenge the views or the interviewee when required. Know when to not give to the user's agenda and to push the question that you need an answer to.
Using the public - There are occasions when vox pops are required for a story.
Reporter Involvement - Be apart of the story with a piece to camera.

"For the assignment piece to camera needs to be about 20 seconds."
"Rehearse and think about what your going to say."