Policy Insights

In the current information-driven global environment, evidence-informed policy making is more necessary than ever. Better Governance and Policy’s multi-disciplinary Policy Insights collection provides policymakers, decision makers and thought leaders with reliable, academically-rigorous evidence that responds directly to current policy concerns.


Policy Insights presents a deep-dive into key policy issues facing Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Sharing their policy insights, experts from across Monash University come together to offer their unique perspectives on addressing policy and governance challenges. These collections are evidence-based, policy-focussed, and future-oriented.

Transforming Early Childhood Development

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for their development and for their future prospects in life. These early years are critical for lifelong learning and well-being. Despite this, our early childhood system is disjointed, inconsistent and expensive, and is letting down our most vulnerable children. This website showcases the world-leading expertise across Monash University’s faculties and disciplines that seeks to affect real change in early childhood education and development in Australia.

Royal Commissions & Policy Influence

When tragedy strikes, scandals emerge, and government policy is required to address novel matters of great public interest, Australians often turn to royal commissions for answers. Since the Australian Royal Commissions Act of 1902, royal commissions have been set up for a plethora of reasons at state and Federal levels.

Conspiracy Theories and Democracy

Conspiracy theories, fake news and alternative facts are increasingly a part of our political dialogue and social landscape. Driven by the speed and reach of social media, conspiracy theories are thriving and amassing global audiences and advocates. Does this present a threat to our democracies, and how do we begin to counter the deliberate spread of misinformation?

Building a Better Future: Housing and Homelessness

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on existing inequities in Australian society, including the issue of housing insecurity and homelessness. This entrenched issue requires long-term solutions both in terms of increasing the supply of suitable housing and in addressing the drivers of homelessness.

Gendered Impacts of COVID-19

The Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 collection brings a gender lens to discussions around the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery. Drawing upon the expertise and research from four centres across Monash University, this collection provides gender-sensitive analysis on peace and security, humanitarian settings and women’s rights, gender-based violence, the economy, caring and social reproduction responsibilities, and health and well-being.

Addressing the Silence: Men’s Health in Australia

The barriers for men accessing support or medical care can be structural, social, cultural, or psychological. Each of these factors has a real impact on men's health and wellbeing and while there is work being done to address the silence around men's health, statistics and experiences confirm there is a long way to go.

Arts Covid-19 Policy Response

Now is the time to develop policies that reflect the kind of society we want Australia to be. We ask experts from Monash’s Faculty of Arts to share their policy insights and offer their unique perspectives on the social repercussions of COVID-19 and what our future could look like.

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