A bold contemporary statement for an economic and social reform agenda, 'Hard Heads, Soft Hearts' draws on contributions from a wide range of Australia's leading thinkers across academia, politics, the Public Service, business, unions and community groups. Edited by Paul Kelly, one of Australia's leading political and economic commentators, and Peter Dawkins, head of the Melbourne Institute.
The last decade has seen a number of market-based economic reforms with the aim of strengthening a strong economy. The question remains however as to how a greater emphasis on market forces can be shaped to lead the widespread benefits across the whole of society. How can a new prosperity be maintained while increasing the opportunities open to all Australians?
'Hard Heads, Soft Hearts' is based on contributions from a wide range of Australia's leading thinkers across academia, politics, the Public Service, business, unions and community groups.
After a stock-take of Australia's economic, social and environmental performance, and a consideration of the implications of globalisation for the Australian economy and society, the major policy issues of the day are addressed:
- Unemployment, joblessness and welfare reform.
- Education and the Knowledge Economy.
- Health policy.
- Other microeconomic reform (including competition policy, tax reform, Telstra privatisation, industrial relations).
- The Trade Practices Act and the branch office economy.
- Population policy.
- Ageing and retirement.
- Work and family.
- The environment - should we sign the Kyoto Protocol?
Peter Dawkins (Director of the Melbourne Institute) and Paul Kelly (Editor-at-Large of The Australian), two of Australia's leading policy analysts and commentators, go on to draw out the main threads of the policy debates in these areas. In the final chapter of the book they plot the outlines of the new reform agenda.
