Research Themes

The strength of the Applied Law and Policy Area of Research Focus lies in its interdisciplinary nature and the capacity for collaborative research. The following four research themes will be coordinated by the Director, Pauline Sadler, and led by the Co-Directors specified below.

• Taxation Law and Policy
  Co-Directors: Professor Dale Pinto and Associate Professor Jeff Pope
  The focus will be on taxation law and policy. This will include not only Australian-based taxation law and policy but will encompass regional and international issues of current and future relevance in the area of taxation law and policy.

• Communities, Changing Environments and Health Law and Policy
  Co-Director: Dr Joan Squelch
  The focus here will be on applied legal research in the areas of Education Law, Environment Law and Health Law. These three areas of law are interlinked and focus on applied law and policy with regard to the health, safety and well-being of businesses, communities and their environment. The research will contribute to the advancement of legal knowledge in the respective fields of law; and the implementation and application of applied law and policy with a view to promoting best practices within a changing business context.

• Workplace Law and Policy
  Co-Directors: Professor Rob Guthrie and Associate Professor Kevin Brown
  Workplace Law encompasses a range of issues which frequently form the bedrock of Government Industrial Relations Policy. This area includes Federal and State laws relating to the settlement of industrial disputes and the negotiation of workplace terms and conditions. It also includes related matters such as anti-discrimination laws, workers compensation and occupational health laws as well as specific issues relating to women’s role in the paid workforce. Importantly Workplace law examines more than the relationships between employer and employee but includes the relationship between contractors and principals. Issues relating to the workplace have currently featured in heavily in Federal and State Government policy considerations and dominate the area of political debate at election times.

• Regulatory Law and Policy
  Co-Director: Professor Pauline Sadler
  The focus will be on the nexus between government policy and consequent legislation, particularly in the areas of Media and Advertising Regulations, Tort Law, Intellectual Property Law and Consumer Protection Law. These areas have major social and economic ramifications. Some analysis of Constitutional issues may be necessary for the purposes of ascertaining the validity or otherwise of Commonwealth legislation which affect the relevant law.