School of Social and Political Sciences - Research Publications

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Australia and the European Superpower: Engaging with the European Union
    MURRAY, PHILOMENA (Melbourne University Press, 2005)
    This book examines Australia’s contested engagement with the European Union (EU). Distance, myth and memory play their part. There is the myth of the British betrayal of Australia when it joined the EU. There is Europe’s reluctance to take seriously Australia’s vehement opposition to European agricultural protectionism. Intransigence, conflict and mutual misunderstanding feature on both sides.This book argues: first, the EU has wrought deep-rooted changes within its constituent states, in a process known as Europeanisation; second, the EU is a global player—albeit of uncertain nature—with increasing weight; and third, the EU is developing a global agenda that will have long-term implications for Australia.
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    e-lection 2004? New media and the campaign
    CHEN, PETER ( 2004)
    This paper explores the use of new media technologies, such as the Internet, in the Australian federal election campaign of 2004. With indications of a closely-contested campaign dominating media coverage in the lead up to October 9, normal assumptions of campaign strategies would call for the use of the full range of campaigning techniques to pry open pockets of support in key marginal seats. Internationally, new media technologies have become increasingly important in political campaigning, both as a tool for direct communication between partisans and electors, and as a particularly powerful method of networking together people, money, and issues. Based on research conducted on parties, candidates, and non-party activists, this paper argues that the use of new technologies in the Australian electoral environment remains limited and, in some aspects, has declined from the previous electoral cycle. This can be attributed to a number of factors: fundamental difficulties in aligning new communications channels to Australia's political geography, low perceptions of the efficacy of new technologies in shifting electors' voting intentions, and the failure by organised political parties to systematically resource and strategise new media technologies within their conventional communications and campaigning strategies. Overall, while a number of interesting campaigning innovations were observed and individual candidates had a greater online presence in this electoral cycle, innovation in the use of new technologies for political purposes has remained relatively low compared with comparative jurisdictions.
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    eGovernance practice and potential in the local government sector
    Barlow, Sheryl ; CHEN, PETER ; Chimonyo, Janet ; Lyon, Alison ; O'Loughlin, Brendan ( 2003)
    This paper presents initial findings of a research project into the current extent of, demand for, and strategic inhibiters / facilitators to / for the development of electronic governance (eGovernance) in the local government sector in Australia. Undertaken by members of the sector in Victoria, in conjunction with the Centre for Public Policy of the University of Melbourne, the project is will produce a final detailed strategic report by the middle of 2004. Based on the results of survey data collected by members of the project team during 2002-3, this paper argues that the local government sector, as typified by municipalities in the state of Victoria , can be seen to have an interest in a broad range of activities that fall under the rubric of eGovernance as defined within.
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    Will content regulation encourage ISP rationalisation?
    CHEN, PETER (Communications Law Centre, 1999-05)
    Discusses the Commonwealth governments policy debates surround online content regulation and possible effects on industry structure and competition in Australia.
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    Pornography, protection, prevarication: the politics of internet censorship
    CHEN, PETER (University of NSW Law School, 2000-03)
    A short article that discusses the development of internet censorship laws in Australia, the politics surrounding them, and the symbolic nature of this legislative regime.
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    Political Big Brother site masks curious agenda
    CHEN, PETER (australia.internet.com, 2001)
    Outlines some of the interesting characteristics of political campaigning aimed at youth in the 2001 Australian federal election using online webpages.
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    Online regulation: not so ground-breaking
    CHEN, PETER (Communications Law Centre, 1999-06)
    Outlines the core elements of the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act 1999.
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    Australian Adult Industry Censorship Survey 2002 Summary of Findings
    CHEN, PETER (Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, 2002-02)
    Thus summary document presents the findings of a survey of members of the Australian Adult Industry undertaken in the first quarter of 2002. The aims of the research project were to determine the impact of the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act 1999 on commercial operators of adult services and product sales in Australia.Overall, while the total response rate to the survey as was low, sixty respondents participated in the research project, comprised of companies from all parts of the Australian Adult Industry. The research found that, in relation to Internet censorship:* Awareness of the law was reasonably high* Limited action was taken in response to the law* The law had limited impact on the industryIn Addition, with regards to the use of new media by commercial operators: *Website growth rates remain steady *Advertising remains the primary function of adult industry websites*The ratio of eCommerce providers to non-providers continues to rise*Continued growth in eCommerce is anticipated.
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    Australian Elected Representatives' Use of New Media Technologies 2002
    CHEN, PETER (Centre for Public Policy, University Of Melbourne, 2002-06)
    This document is based on a survey of Australian elected representatives undertaken during the first half of 2002. The aims of the research were to examine the use of, and interest in, new media technologies, such as the Internet, by Australia's elected officials across four levels of government: Commonwealth, State and Territory parliamentarians, Local Government councillors, and councillors of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Commission.