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Open Forum is an independent collaborative think-tank built around an interactive discussion website hosted and moderated by Global Access Partners (GAP). It provides a platform for focused dialogue on social, political, economic, ecological and cultural issues and challenges.

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Congratulations to our bloggers on 2010 Australia Day honours


Steve Lawrence was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through leadership roles in the development and implementation of not-for-profit ventures to create social change, particularly for youth and the long-term unemployed. Warwick Watkins was made a member of the Order of Australia for service to spatial information and natural resource management through leadership roles within a range of public sector agencies. To find out more about their passions in their own words check out Steve's blog and Warwick's blog today.


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Applications open for ACCAN Independent Grants Scheme


Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is calling for applications for their new Independent Grants Scheme which will fund projects that explore issues of making the communications market work for consumers, of protecting and promoting the security, privacy and fair use of communications services, or that support the responsible consumption of services. Organisations and individuals are encouraged to apply for a grant in the amounts of $10,000, $20,000 or $50,000. The first round of applications closes on Thursday, 18 February 2010. Full details can be found here.


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Productivity Commission gets Web 2.0


The Productivity Commision has entered the wonderful world of Gov 2.0 with the launch of a blog designed to gather feedback on the recently released Draft Report into Market Mechanisms for Recovering Water in the Murray-Darling Basin. Check it out at blog.pc.gov.au »»


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Blog of the Day

wliauws picture

Clinical Trials can be for People and Country


posted by wliauw, Feb 08, 2010

It is a mistake to assume that just because proposed reforms would benefit the pharmaceutical industry that it is neccessarily bad for health consumers. Properly regulated reforms to clinical trials standards will also benefit Australian patients.

Clinical trials involving volunteer patients form an integral part of the development of new healthcare interventions.

Clinical trials also form an important industry in Australia; injecting an estimated $450 million dollars to the Australian knowledge economy.

But like the healthcare system itself the clinical trials industry is ailing. Many barriers to the more efficient approval and conduct of clinical trials are reducing the incentives for both local and foreign companies to conduct clinical trials in Australia.

The governance of clinical trials in Australia is currently the matter of a major debate being coordinated by a subcommittee of the Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group, the Clinical Trials Action Group, co-chaired by the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health. The Action Group has called for submissions related to improving the operating environment of clinical trials in Australia.

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Topic of the Month

Australia’s Health


Health care remains one of the major political, financial and social issues in Australia and other OECD countries. National surveys reveal a common contradiction between people’s greater satisfaction with their personal experience of care and a high level of dissatisfaction with “the system” as a whole. The growing proportion of elderly people and those with chronic conditions, escalating costs and increased expectations make the need for a comprehensive health sector reform as urgent and compelling as ever.

The GAP/ACHR Congress on Australia’s Health, held on 30 November 2009 at Parliament House of Victoria, was brought together to produce a policy document in response to “A Healthier Future for All Australians” report released by the National Health & Hospitals Reform Commission.  Keynote speakers and delegates have been 'handpicked' according to their credentials as changemakers and thought leaders for Australia’s health reform.

Open Forum will be featuring the ideas of the speakers and delegates in an online discussion forum dedicated to Australia’s Health, proudly supported by the Australian Centre for Health Research. To participate, simply follow the links to read the related blogs, log in to leave a comment, email us your own contribution or phone +61 2 8303 2420.

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Australia's Health

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