The Nordic Edge – Policy Possibilities for Australia
Climate and energy. Work/life balance. Mining taxes. Progress on policy issues like these is essential, and yet they have become subject to the most rancorous partisanship, the precipitation of culture wars, and have brought down governments.
In The Nordic Edge, published by Melbourne University Press, a selection of Australia Institute researchers and guest authors show how Nordic nations have secured progress across a range of crucial public policy areas while simultaneously increasing prosperity and community wellbeing.
Nordic countries have taken a ‘ja, we can’ approach to independent foreign policy, prison reform, gender equality, retraining for workforce participation, media diversity, and the electric transport revolution. Australia could do the same.
Within the pages of this brand new publication you will find a suite of contributions from Australia Institute researchers, including a foreword by Executive Director Ben Oquist and analysis from The Australia Institute’s Convenor of the Nordic Policy Centre Professor Andrew Scott and Research Director Rod Campbell.
Australia Institute Deputy Director Ebony Bennett writes on media diversity and the importance of public broadcasting while Chief Economist Dr Richard Denniss and Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff discuss international comparisons of tax rates and economic performance.
Climate & Energy Program Director Richie Merzian and Energy Policy & Regulatory Lead Dan Cass consider ‘Scandiplomacy’ and our common climate future, while Climate & Energy Researcher Audrey Quicke discusses Norway’s world leading electric vehicle policies.
—
The Nordic Edge explores policies adopted by Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland and the exciting possibilities they provide to overcome Australia’s seemingly intractable problems.
You can order your copy HERE
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Nordic Talks: Breaking the ice ceiling: Gender equality in Iceland and Australia [Webinar]
Iceland’s outstanding levels of gender equality have been achieved through policies such as extensive paid parental leave, including an emphasis on fathers using paid parental leave. This emphasis on paternity leave is one important reason that Iceland is frequently ranked as the leader among all the Nordic nations – and thus the world leader –
Nordic Talks: The Value of a Free Press [Webinar]
Norway is number one the World Press Freedom Index, while Australia dropped 14 places in 2022 due in part to its highly concentrated media landscape. This webinar, the second of our special Nordic Talks webinar series, will explore how Norway’s targeted ‘press support’ subsidies could help Australia to achieve greater diversity in its highly concentrated
Nordic Talks: Pedalling Health – Healthy and sustainable cities in Denmark and Australia [Webinar]
In Denmark, the bicycle has been recognised as a fast, efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation for decades, and the key to more liveable cities and happy, healthy people – supported by a network of safe cycling infrastructure and a positive cycle culture as part of healthy urban design which also means fewer food deserts. In