Research in the news

According to Adjunct Associate Professor Catherine Fitzpatrick from the School of Social Sciences, any business that offers joint accounts or services online is “ripe for financial abuse”. She explains how the respectandprotect initiative is addressing this "epidemic" and emphasises the importance of listening to victim-survivors. 

The federal government has committed $3.4 billion towards a national plan aimed at ending domestic and family violence across 10 years. However, Professor Michael Alan Salter from the School of Social Sciences is among the many voices calling for more short and medium-term strategies to tackle the drivers of domestic violence.

A new campaign has seen Australian businesses update their terms and conditions to protect their customers against financial abuse. Adjunct Associate Professor Catherine Fitzpatrick from the School of Social Sciences explains how this move will help prevent their services from being "weaponised as a tactic of coercive control and manipulation." 

A new study has revealed that at least 30% of community and social services workers are being underpaid. Lead author Associate Professor Natasha Cortis from the Social Policy Research Centre unpacks the report findings and recommendations to address the sector's "systemic" pay violations.

New data has shown that share housing is on the rise as Australian rental markets continue to tighten. Dr Chris Martin from the City Futures Research Centre suggests a shift away from current landlord and tenant relationships, which represent "both a legal and structural problem", in favour of growing the community and social housing sector.

According to Professor Catherine Fitzpatrick from the School of Social Sciences, “victim-survivors are being penalised for the actions of perpetrators.” Speaking to the findings of her recent report, she shares her recommendations for making insurance contracts safer for women.

The Northern Territory is welcoming in new grants to support first-home buyers and boost the economy. But will they do what they promise? Dr Chris Martin from the City Futures Research Centre discusses the implications of such policies and who stands to benefit from them [segment starting 1:54:34].

Many NSW regional and rural schools are struggling to attract and retain staff. Professor Kim Beswick from the Gonski Institute for Education shares her thoughts on this critical issue, explaining that "I think we need to do more to sell the advantages" [segment starting 12:52].

Why are so many young Australians struggling to enter the property market? Professor Hal Pawson from the City Futures Research Centre has found house prices in Australia had tripled between 1990 and 2020, while real earnings only increased by 50%.

Recent research has revealed the brutal conditions faced by people with disability in detention centres. Co-author of the report Dr Maree Higgins from the School of Social Sciences unpacks her findings, including the legislative limitations of indefinite detention.

Following the introduction of new government measures to tackle the teacher shortage, Professor Kim Beswick from the Gonski Institute for Education believes there is more to be done (particularly as it concerns impacted rural and regional schools) emphasising "I think we really need to change the narrative".