Decades of Disillusion: Reappraising the ALP-ACTU Accord 1983–1996

In this article we review the Accord between the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), in order to address current uncertainty over the role of unions in politics, particularly in the face of both the Coalition Government's 2006 industrial relations legislation and the ALP's apparent repudiation of the country's longstanding institutional leverage over wages and non-wage policies. The Accord exemplified an explicitly corporatist union strategy and it initially attracted extensive and hostile commentary. However, discussion of the experiment, together with other tripartite approaches to policy formation, has waned in recent years, perhaps suggesting that it was a tactic whose time has passed. Reviewing some major criticisms, we argue that critics have dismissed the Accord too hastily. Although serious problems with the Accord process are acknowledged, the articulation of a broad program of social democratic initiatives is always likely to retain support on the political left. Despite changes in union density and workforce composition, the union movement still possesses capacity to mobilise community support and develop a principled program.     

The Mexico Declaration and Plan of Action: Reaffirming Latin America's Generous Tradition of Asylum and Innovative Solutions

The ‘Foreword to the Mexico Declaration and Plan of Action’written by Philippe Lavanchy, Director of the Americas Bureauat UNHCR, should have appeared in Volume 17:4 and should stillbe read with the documents there. In late 2005, UNHCR sent alarge set of materials relating to the Americas, but, due toannual page limits for the IJRL, they had to be split across17:4 and 18:1. For     

FAMILICIDE AND FAMILY LAW: A STUDY OF FILICIDE–SUICIDE FOLLOWING SEPARATION*

This article is based on a qualitative study undertaken in Western Australia, which examined in depth seven cases of family homicide followed by suicide where disputed custody and/or access was identified as being an issue. These offenses typically consist of one or more young children being murdered by their father, the homicide being followed by the perpetrator's suicide. Common factors are identified and suggestions made for screening and proactive management of high‐risk cases. Possible explanations of perpetrators’ motivation are proposed. Trauma effects on survivors are described. Recommendations for future policy, practice, and research are made.     

From consultation to participatory governance? A critical review of citizen engagement strategies in Queensland

This article explores what appears to be a major shift in the policies and practices of national and international governments–the increased attention to, and use of, citizen engagement strategies as a basis for developing more participatory forms of governance. The article examines recent citizen engagement initiatives of the Queensland state government which have grappled with these complex political, policy and service concerns. The potential innovation and effectiveness of citizen engagement techniques and approaches are examined. The limitations of technical methodologies based on a traditional consultative framework are highlighted. The article analyses the relationship between these citizen engagement practices and more strategic democratic reforms based on notions of participatory governance.