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The life expectancy of persons with intellectual disability is increasing, and this is often occurring concurrently with the aging of their long‐term parental carers. Research in both Australia and around the world indicates that proactive post‐parental care planning is not widely implemented, and transitions primarily happen suddenly following a personal crisis for the primary caregiver. Little focus in Australia has been placed on identifying the barriers that inhibit post‐parental care planning in rural areas, specifically in the context of the newly implemented National Disability Insurance Scheme. This paper examines the factors that limit disability services and their staff in supporting successful post‐parental care planning for individuals with intellectual disability and their aging carers in rural South Australia. Small focus groups were conducted with three groups of rural disability support workers using online technologies to assist with the participants' geographic disparity. A semi‐structured interview guide was developed prior to commencement and was used to initiate discussions on key points. A thematic analysis methodological approach was used for data analysis. There were three themes identified through the analysis; Recruitment; Provision of Care; and Retention. The key findings relating to these themes are presented and supported with exemplar quotes. This research proposes three recommendations for policy or practice change: developing a national advertising campaign for new disability staff that positively emphasizes the high‐level skillset need for proactive planning; supporting rural disability providers to collaborate to establish shared teams of staff with expertise in post‐parental care planning; and, using incentive payments to retain staff with these invaluable skillsets in the disability sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients' perceptions about the functional impact of amblyopia and strabismus in daily life have not been explored extensively. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of adults with these conditions and understand the functional limitations they face in their day‐to‐day life. Methods: A qualitative study design was adopted. Participants over 18 years of age, with a primary diagnosis of amblyopia (with or without strabismus) were recruited from the community and various eye care practices in South Australia and Victoria, Australia. Participants took part in either focus group discussions or individual interviews and described the functional limitations they experienced in their daily life due to their eye condition. These sessions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded inductively, and analysed iteratively to form emergent themes. Results: Thirty‐seven adult participants took part in the study: 23 (62%) had strabismic amblyopia; 5 (14%) anisometropic amblyopia;, 7 (19%) combined‐mechanism amblyopia; and 2 (5%) deprivational amblyopia. Their median age was 54 years (range: 21–82 years) and 19 (51%) were female. Participants reported several challenges in performing everyday tasks such as driving (e.g. judging distances, changing lanes), reading (e.g. fine print, reading for prolonged time) and sports (e.g. catching a ball). They also articulated trouble in navigating safely (e.g. using stairs, bumping into objects), performing work‐tasks (e.g. taking longer than peers to complete tasks) and other routine tasks (e.g. chopping vegetables with care). Conclusions: Several functional limitations were encountered by adults living with amblyopia and strabismus. Participants recognised these limitations in their normal day‐to‐day life and related the challenges they faced to symptoms associated with their eye condition. By presenting rich in‐depth qualitative data, the paper demonstrates qualitative evidence of the functional impacts associated with amblyopia and strabismus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper outlines water conservation behaviours and assesses the level of congruity between the stated water use of householders against their actual metered consumption. A profile of high water users in three parts of South Australia is offered: two metropolitan areas differing in socio-economic characteristics and a regional town. The research used a postal questionnaire, a follow-up telephone interview and corresponding household water meter readings. Location, household size and annual household income have significant predictive qualities for high per capita water use. The number of times gardens were watered in a week, watering the garden more often than was permitted under the restrictions, and the manner in which conservation behaviours were carried out helped predict high per capita water use. Participants had an accurate idea of the magnitude of their water use and how it compared with that of other households. High water users knew that they were high consumers of water. Implications of the findings for water demand management are briefly outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Seasonal rainfall forecasts are an important tool for risk management across many sectors. However, significant challenges arise in the development of skilful and practically useful seasonal forecasts for regions where the temporal and spatial variability of rainfall is large and/or knowledge about what causes this variability is in its infancy. This is evident in the state of South Australia ( SA), where seasonal rainfall currently has low predictive skill. The key climate processes have yet to be fully identified in SA and therefore may not be adequately represented in forecast models. The aim of this paper is to identify and quantify relationships between large-scale ocean-atmospheric processes and seasonal rainfall variability across SA. We identify two distinct climate zones: (1) the arid northern region, where rainfall is mostly influenced by climate processes stemming from the tropical Indian and/or Pacific Oceans and (2) southern SA, which is dominated by Southern Ocean processes. The average percent of variability of SA rainfall accounted for by any single large-scale climate process (i.e. linear regression using a single predictor) is 8% in summer, 19% in autumn, 33% in winter and 24% in spring. However, when two or more processes are considered in combination (through multiple linear regression), this rises to 13, 26, 46, and 33%, respectively, highlighting the importance of capturing the interaction among multiple climate processes. Importantly, the findings from this study provide a set of metrics against which existing statistical and dynamical forecasting schemes can be tested and highlight processes that should be focused on in order to improve (or develop new) forecasting schemes. The study also recommends the need for further investigations into non-linear relationships between rainfall and large-scale ocean-atmospheric processes and the development of more objective methods for determining which climate process, or combination of processes, are most important for a certain season or location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines a specific controversy over the control and content of sex education in South Australia in 1985 that was triggered by concerns about homosexuality. Drawing on Foucault's idea of the "deployment of sexuality", the paper examines the way in which the issue of homosexuality became the focal point for a concerted struggle over sex education in state schools. It is argued that the idea of homosexuality, or more accurately male homosexual sexuality, served as a boundary marker that both defined and revealed the content and scope of school-based sex education. It is shown that this controversy was an instance of the "deployment of sexuality" through which public opinion was concentrated and mobilised to ensure that prevailing heterosexual norms remained the defining parameters for sex education. Thus it is also demonstrated that sex education is deeply implicated in both the construction and maintenance of prevailing (gendered) sexual norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an ecological study regarding the coastal zonation of Southern Australian coasts in relation to a generalized scheme of classification put forward by ecologist T. A. Stephenson. It mentions that the generalized scheme is not satisfactorily applicable to Southern Australian coasts and a modified scheme is being proposed. It states that the new scheme is an integration of terms and zones which appear most applicable to Australian conditions. It informs that the general applicability of the new scheme of intertidal zonation to coasts other than Southern Australia must be critically examined on the basis of their topography and habitat conditions.

Labour governments around the world are struggling to renew labour and social democratic values in the modern era. The South Australian Labor government, led by Mike Rann (2002-11), presents a striking case of a labour government that pursued a renewal of social democracy. By offering a critical examination of the ideological contours of the Rann Government, this paper contributes to wider debates about the flux of social democracy. In Australia, debates about Labor's identity tend to focus on the federal rather than state level, which this article seeks, in part, to redress. The Rann government's economic and social inclusion policies are examined and compared with its South Australian historical forebears, and the Rann government is located within the various labour 'traditions'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Facilities in retirement villages form a supportive environment for older residents. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the provision of these facilities in retirement villages, which are regarded as a viable accommodation option for the increasing ageing population in Australia. Methods A content analysis of facilities in 124 retirement villages operated by 22 developers in Queensland and South Australia was conducted. Results The most widely provided facilities are community centres, libraries, barbeque facilities, hairdressers/salons and billiards/snooker/pool tables. Commercial operators provide more facilities than not-for-profit organisations, and larger retirement villages normally have more facilities due to the economies of scale involved. Conclusions The results of the study provide a useful reference for providing facilities within retirement villages that may support the quality lifestyles of older residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to develop specialized judicial processes to deal with offenders with mental illnesses is now widely recognized and has led to the introduction of mental health court diversion programs around the world. At present, however, there is only limited evidence from which to assess the impact of these initiatives. This paper describes the South Australian model of diversion, with specific reference to the relationship between identified participant characteristics, program compliance rates, and re-offending outcomes. The results of a two-year recidivism study suggest that involvement with the program has a positive impact on recidivism, but that this is independent from the individual's level of success in the program. Lower risk offenders were more likely to achieve successful outcomes than those in the higher risk categories. The implications of these results, as well the factors that might inform the ongoing development of mental health court programs, are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the evangelical awakening of eighteenth-century Europe, numerous religious communities were founded in order to create a geographical space in which religious and social identities could be constructed, including several communities of the Moravian Church. This Protestant Episcopal Church was based in Germany, but expanded from the mid-eighteenth century throughout the colonial world in response to political turmoil. This paper traces the establishment of the Moravian town of Bethel in South Australia and the role of religion and ethnic backgrounds in the identification processes of Europeans in the British colonial world. It further analyses the role of politics both locally and internationally in the formation of such a settlement, and the dynamic exchange between the European headquarters of the Brethren and the “colony” of Moravians in South Australia in order to demonstrate how interactions between migration and religion affected the European world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the problems involved in coordinating policy in a federal system. It examines the programs developed to control petrol-sniffing in South Australian Aboriginal communities and analyses the processes which determined policy outcomes. Both intergovernmental and intragovemmental factors are identified as contributing to the failure to achieve coordination. The particular characteristics of Aboriginal Affairs as a concurrent constitutional responsibility combined with its position as a client-specific portfolio impede efficiency in matters of funding, definition of administrative jurisdiction and political commitment to cooperative action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skilled migration is an important strategy in developed economies seeking to address skills shortages and population ageing. Research on the labour market outcomes of skilled migrants tends to focus on employers' devaluation of skills without considering the role of immigration policy in the migration process. Moreover, there is little understanding of whether efforts to meet employer demands for local qualifications improve labour market outcomes. Drawing on a study on skilled migrants sponsored under the State‐Specific and Regional Migration Scheme in the regional state of South Australia, we explore the shaping of skills and skills recognition in the migration journey, particularly migrants' strategy of reskilling in response to employer demands for local qualifications. Our logistic regressions on the association between the acquisition of Australian qualifications and labour market outcomes reveal only marginal returns to these efforts. We argue that Australia should consider developing a more coherent skilled migration process to better harness the human capital of skilled migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predation by feral cats (Felis catus) has caused the extinction of many native species in Australia and globally. There is growing evidence that the impacts of feral cats can be amplified in post‐fire environments, as cats are drawn to hunt in or around recently burnt areas and are also more effective hunters in open habitats. In 2018–2019, we established arrays of camera traps to estimate the abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Much of the island (including five of our seven survey sites) was subsequently burnt in a severe wildfire (December 2019–February 2020). We re‐sampled the sites 3–8 months post‐fire (seven sites) and 11–12 months post‐fire (three sites). At two unburnt sites sampled post‐fire, it was possible to produce density estimates of cats using a spatially explicit capture–recapture approach. Where estimating density was not possible (due to low detections or individual cats not being distinguishable), the number of individuals and percentage of trap nights with detections was compared between the sampling periods. Some low‐level cat control occurred within 2 km of three of the seven arrays (all within the burn scar) within 3 months of the fire. Across the five burnt sites, there was a decline in cat detections post‐fire (including those without post‐fire cat control). At 3–8 months post‐fire, there was, on average, a 57% reduction in the number of individual cats, and a 65% reduction in the number of nights with cat detections, relative to pre‐fire levels. Although cat detections declined following the fire, reduced population sizes of prey species and reduced cover as a result of the fire might still mean that cat predation is a threat to some surviving prey species. Management that reduces feral cat predation pressure on wildlife following wildfire should enhance the likelihood of post‐fire wildlife persistence and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perhaps one of the central questions in ecology has been what limits the geographic distribution of species. The geographic distributions of the reptile‐ticks Amblyomma limbatum, Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Amblyomma albolimbatum are a classic example of this problem: where these ticks meet, narrow regions‐of‐overlap often occur. Despite studies of interactions among these ticks, and of these ticks and their environment, we still do not understand what limits their geographic distributions. Many hypotheses have been proposed and tested, but all have seemingly been rejected. Our aim was to account for the abundance and the geographic distributions of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station, South Australia, where these species come in contact and have been studied for over 35 years, leading to over 55 000 records of reptiles and their ticks using a capture‐mark‐recapture approach. We constructed models which had combinations of temperature and moisture indices from different months of the year to determine the relationship between climate and tick abundance, and between climate and the shifting local geographic distribution of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station. We found that climate together with the abundance of ticks in the previous year and the abundance of the lizard host, accounted for 54%–77% of the variation in the abundance of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri among years. We also found that the climate in late autumn to winter, together with the abundance of ticks and their host, accounted for 18%–84% of the variation in the geographic distributions of these ticks among years. Climate was central to the abundance and the geographic distributions of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station. We speculate that the same mechanisms account for the geographic distributions of A. limbatum, B. hydrosauri and A. albolimbatum elsewhere in Australia; so, climate may explain the three‐tick problem in Austral ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trilobites were notably flexible in the moulting behaviours they employed, producing a variety of moult configurations preserved in the fossil record. Investigations seeking to explain this moulting variability and its potential impacts are few, despite abundant material being available for study. We present the first quantitative study on moulting in a single trilobite species using a dataset of almost 500 moult specimens of Estaingia bilobata from the Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 4) Emu Bay Shale, South Australia. Specimens were categorized by moulting mode (Salter's or Sutural Gape) and their associated configurations, and their body proportions measured from both a museum collection (including a bycatch sample) and a randomly‐collected field sample. This enabled analysis of the proportion of E. bilobata specimens displaying the Sutural Gape and Salter's modes of moulting and their different configurations, and tests for association between moulting behaviour and body proportions. The results show a wide range of E. bilobata moulting configurations in all samples, suggesting that configurations represent definable instances in a largely continuous spectrum of variation. Analyses comparing body proportions of specimens showing the two modes of moulting were non‐significant, suggesting there is no true association between moulting behaviour and body proportion, except for a single significant result for body length. All results were relatively consistent between the museum and field samples. However, removing accessioned specimens from the museum sample brought results even further in line with the field sample, supporting the need for consideration of museum collection bias in palaeontological analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the job‐seeking experiences of Black African migrants in South Australia, focussing on the role played by social networks in labour market integration. While it has been long held that "who you know" matters when finding work, the quality and nature of interpersonal connections that can be put to use for job‐seeking purposes suggests that not all networks effectively leverage social capital when it comes to employment. This article argues that Africa‐born migrants in South Australia are a small, diverse population whose experiences of labour market integration are mediated by both reception (how they are received and perceived) and strategy and choice (decisions made by migrants themselves). There is evidence of these migrants' evolving and expanding social networks; however, the strategy of building the "right" social networks only goes part‐way to addressing employment gaps, while racialised social hierarchies are embedded in the Australian labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coorong Lakes, South Australia, are one of the models for unravelling the 'Dolomite Problem'. Critically, today only a few modern environments remain where large quantities of very high magnesium calcite (VHMC; Ca0.5Mg0.5CO3; also described as protodolomite or disordered dolomite) and magnesite (MgCO3) precipitate. Previously conducted laboratory studies demonstrate that carbonate minerals can precipitate via classical and non‐classical crystallization pathways. This study uses the preserved crystal sizes, morphologies and microstructures of Ca–Mg carbonates in the Coorong Lakes (Milne Lake, Pellet Lake and North Stromatolite Lake) to evaluate which crystallization pathway most likely occurred. In the fine‐grained sediments of these lakes, very high magnesium calcite and magnesite occur as aggregate particles of nanocrystals (<100 nm). Rietveld refinements using X‐ray diffraction data give modelled Lvol–IB crystallite size values of <120 nm for all carbonates. Transmission electron microscopy shows that, within VHMC and magnesite particles, nanocrystals have an almost identical orientation of their crystal lattice fringes. This is morphologically similar to Ca–Mg carbonates formed via an amorphous carbonate precursor in non‐classical crystallization laboratory experiments. Precipitation of carbonate minerals via an amorphous‐to‐crystalline pathway requires the water to be supersaturated relative to both crystalline and amorphous phases. In the Coorong Lakes, surface water likely only becomes supersaturated relative to amorphous carbonate phases in the late summer after extensive evaporation. Observations suggest that VHMC and dolomite do not directly precipitate from bulk modern seawater, despite oversaturation relative to the crystalline phases, because seawater is undersaturated with respect to amorphous calcium magnesium carbonate, thus limiting the precipitation through a non‐classical crystallization pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic parameters were estimated for southern right whales (SRWs), Eubalaena australis, using photo‐identification (photo‐ID) and count data collected during annual cliff‐based surveys at the Head of the Great Australian Bight (HoB), South Australia between 1991 and 2016. Photo‐ID and count data were contributed from the annual aerial surveys of the south‐western population in Australia (1993–2016).The HoB photo‐ID database included 1,186 non‐calf individuals, with 459 reproductive females. HoB is an open population and represents a relative proportion (0.48–0.21) of the overall south‐western population, which is decreasing with population growth.No change was detected in the growth rate at HoB over time (1992–2016) and there was no significant difference when compared to the overall south‐western population. The estimated mean rate of increase for all SRW was 3.2% (± 1.3) per annum and for females with a calf was 4.6% (± 1.7) per annum at HoB, compared to 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.78, 7.36) and 6.01% (95% CI, 3.78, 7.36), respectively for the south‐western population during the same period.The apparent mean calving interval was 3.3 years (SD = 0.78, ± 0.14, 95% CI; 1996–2016), and a significant increase to 4 years was observed since 2015. The apparent mean age at first parturition was 9.0 years. The minimum estimated age of the oldest whale was 50 and oldest lactating female 41 years old.The SRW demographic data provides information for monitoring recovery, population status, species conservation management and global comparative studies. There is a need to understand fluctuations in calving intervals, threats to the population and implications for species recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchids are potentially useful as ecological indicators because of their sensitivity to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbance. While many studies explore the effect of single factors on orchid diversity, few investigate how the extent, configuration, and condition of surrounding habitat affect whole orchid communities. Here, we unravel the effect of biological invasions, anthropogenic disturbance (i.e., grazing pressure, ecological condition), and habitat fragmentation on an Australian orchid community. We sampled 39 plots across nine sites in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Australia. We recorded the number of orchid species and number of individuals per species in mid‐winter, early‐spring, and late‐spring to account for the effect of season on species visibility, with 115 surveys in total. We ranked grazing intensity and ecological condition, and estimated cover of exotic species. We analyzed the response of richness and diversity through generalized linear mixed models, and differences in species composition through non‐metric multidimensional scaling. Habitat configuration in the surrounding landscape had different effects at increasing radii, explaining 29%–87% of variance. Patch‐level orchid diversity was positively correlated with habitat edges in the immediate area, and with habitat cohesion at medium scales, whereas diversity was negatively correlated with increasing mean patch habitat area across larger surrounding areas. Orchids co‐existed with exotic species but were negatively affected once exotic cover exceeded 20%. Species composition was correlated with exotic cover. Our findings reveal a complex relationship between orchid communities and their surrounding environments suggesting orchids benefit from a somewhat disturbed environment at patch and landscape scales. These idiosyncratic responses suggest orchid diversity may be unreliable as early‐warning indicators of habitat disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nature conservation in both theory and practice is increasingly looking to understand different knowledge systems, including Indigenous worldviews, to achieve complementary conservation and socio‐cultural goals. Here, we share stories from one of the longest running Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), Walalkara IPA, by Langaliki Robin, daughter of the founders of the IPA, who reflected on her parents' lessons about how Tjukurpa (Dreaming Law) is essential for conservation. Grounded theory analysis of her interview identified the importance of Tjukurpa and the role of Langaliki's parents, particularly her father Tjilpi Robin Kankapankatja in the establishment of the IPA. Tjukurpa was asserted as a core cultural knowledge system that provides Indigenous people with motivation, strength and well‐being, allowing them to maintain access to Country and work cross‐culturally. Tjukurpa influenced the initial declaration, roads and physical layout of the protected area and continues to guide the daily work activities of IPA rangers. According to Langaliki, the key to maintaining strong people and Country is to pass on cultural knowledge and Tjukurpa from generation to generation, especially to younger people. This research suggested that by knowing who the key knowledge holders are, respecting that Tjukurpa exists without being privy to the details, and continuing multi‐generational access to Country, conservation programmes that embrace Indigenous ways of knowing and doing can achieve successful outcomes for nature conservation and Indigenous well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the impact of a Consumer Directed Care (CDC) model of service delivery on the quality of life of older people receiving home care packages. Methods: Quality of life was assessed using validated instruments. The relationship between quality of life and length of time exposed to CDC was examined using descriptive statistical and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Consenting older adults (n = 150) in receipt of home care packages participated. Quality of life and capability scores were higher for older people in receipt of a CDC model of service delivery for <12 months compared to those receiving the model of care for longer, although this difference was not statistically significant. However, older people with more recent exposure to CDC indicated a stronger capability to do things that made them feel valued. Conclusion: Extended longitudinal follow‐up is needed to facilitate a detailed examination of the relationship between the evolution of CDC and its longer‐term influences on quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marginalisation of people from natural areas has dominated conservation approaches in post‐colonial societies such as Australia. Yet the approach is limited, in part because people are also excluded from co‐managing their local environments, an effect that raises important questions about the future of conservation in a reflexive era where account must also be taken of how to manage risks such as bushfires. To address the complexity of social processes that influence conservation, new forms of co‐management between governments and community stakeholders are evolving but do not always achieve their participatory aims. In this article, discrepancies between perceptions of conservation governance and the responsibilities and activities of the South Australian Government are examined by reference to original research involving a residential survey and a follow‐up focus group discussion with local community and non‐profit environmental organisations. Findings suggest that local environmental groups are knowledge‐rich and strong relationships exist between local conservation actors and government officers, but those partnerships receive only limited support. In addition, opportunities for co‐management between government and non‐governmental environmental organisations are hindered by insufficient acknowledgement within government of the importance of unique, actionable local knowledge; an inability to effectively coordinate activities across and between government and non‐government actors; and an unwillingness to engage with stakeholders in a manner that develops and maintains trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of the study is to identify differences in epidemiology and clinical presentation between oesophageal and gastric cancer and to evaluate the sensitivity of the Australian urgent endoscopy referral guidelines. Methods: Design; Observational cohort study from February 2013 to October 2018. Setting: A single tertiary specialist oesophago‐gastric cancer centre: Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia. Participants: Patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer that had surgery with curative intent 61.9% oesophageal cancer, 38.1% gastric cancer. Main outcome measures: Differences between oesophageal and gastric cancer in terms of demographical variables, first presenting symptoms and sensitivity of the Australian urgent endoscopy referral guidelines. Results: Oesophageal cancer presented at a median age of 64.4 years old, with a male: female ratio of 6:1, and dysphagia as the first presenting symptom in 61%. Gastric cancer presented at a median age of 69.5, with a 2:1 male: female ratio and predominantly non‐specific symptoms—blood loss (36%), weight loss, nausea, and anorexia (21%) and epigastric pain (13%). The Australia urgent endoscopy referral guidelines had 76% sensitivity for oesophageal cancer detection compared with a 33% sensitivity for gastric cancer in this cohort. Delays from symptom onset to referral occurred for most patients with timeframes over four times the recommended 2‐week timeframe. Conclusion: There should be a separate urgent referral guideline for oesophageal and gastric cancer. These should include dysphagia for oesophageal cancer and blood loss (anaemia, haematemesis, melaena) for gastric cancer. Delays from symptom onset to referral indicate the need for further education of the public and general practitioners on symptoms warranting urgent referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The historiographical debate about the significance of 1968 — the year of transnational political protests and strikes — for Australia has centred on the questions of how derivative and imitative protests in Australia were, and whether 1968 was a singular year here in the longer period of activism. This article presents a fresh angle on the debate by looking at the vital role of students in turning the Dunstan Labor government's electoral loss (in terms of seats, despite winning 54 per cent of the vote) in South Australia into a constitutional struggle. The state's gerrymander (or egregious electorate malapportionment), and questions of electoral reform and democracy in Australia, were specific, local issues, distinct from issues that sparked student protests from Paris to Chicago. When Don Dunstan refused to step aside after the election on 2 March 1968 for six weeks, he created a space for political debate and protests. Blue‐collar unions and other concerned citizens were important participants, but arguably it was students who grabbed the most media attention with their noisy demonstrations. The article contends that the transnational protest moment added to Australian students' radicalisation by the National Service scheme, and that students' role in Dunstan's campaign for electoral reform proved a decisive factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the introduction of consumer‐directed care in the Australian community aged care sector, there are more opportunities for occupational therapists to provide evidence‐based services that meet consumer needs. There is also an increasing requirement for health professionals to promote their interventions to consumers. Particularly for the implementation of new programs within organisations. However, occupational therapists have historically neglected widely promoting the role of occupational therapy services for older people. This study examines the perceptions of occupational therapists and their managers in promoting their service; the Care of People in their Environment (COPE) Program. Methods: This study utilised a qualitative interpretative description; including 28 in‐depth interviews. Purposeful sampling ensured a variety of occupational therapists from different health contexts. Thematic analysis captured key emergent themes related to promoting occupational therapy interventions and implementation. Results: Many occupational therapists were apprehensive about promoting or selling their services and interventions. Greater levels of confidence in promoting the program were present when the program aligned with traditional models of service delivery and organisational processes. Occupational therapists described having limited opportunity to directly promote the program to consumers as community case managers were mostly the main contact at the organisation. There was limited consideration of promotion strategies and therefore limited enactment of strategies by organisations. Not‐for‐profit and non‐government organisations recognise that the changed community aged care market provided new business opportunities. Conclusion: With changes in the Australian aged care system, occupational therapy has great opportunity to provide diverse, evidence‐based interventions driven by the needs of consumers. Reframing the notion of 'selling', to empowering consumers to be more informed about their options, will allow occupational therapists to build confidence in their promotional skills. Promoting evidence‐based programs will have positive outcomes for the visibility, professional identity and recognition of occupational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases. As reported by the World Health Organisation, 81% of children worldwide are physically inactive. Environmental factors, such as neighbourhood walkability, can shape people's physical activity (PA) behaviour. This study explored the association between neighbourhood walkability and after-school PA among Australian schoolchildren.Methods: The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) distributed the survey to 189 schools across South Australia to assess the health and well-being of schoolchildren aged between 8 and 14 years. Neighbourhood was defined as an area corresponding to a four digit postcode, and its walkability was measured using Walk Score® . The association between neighbourhood walkability and after-school PA was analysed using multinomial logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, SEIFA score, number of days of TV watching, number of times of eating junk food, neighbourhood safety and children's weight status.Results: Children residing in highly walkable areas (walker's paradise) compared to car-dependent areas had higher odds (OR(95%CI)) of engaging in after-school PA three (1.216 (1.029, 1.436), P = .021), four (1.287 (1.064, 1.557), P = .009) and five times a week (1.230 (1.030, 1.133), P = .022) compared to children never participating in PA.Conclusion: Living in highly walkable areas (walker's paradise), compared to living in car-dependent areas was associated with higher levels of after-school PA. So what? Creating walkable neighbourhoods with greater access to amenities, services and public transportation may help increase after-school PA among schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trait‐based approaches are increasingly used as a proxy for understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Macrobenthic fauna are considered one of the major providers of ecosystem functions in marine soft sediments; however, several gaps persist in the knowledge of their trait classification, limiting the potential use of functional assessments. While trait databases are available for the well‐studied North Atlantic benthic fauna, no such trait classification system exists for Australia. Here, we present the South Australian Macrobenthic Traits (SAMT) database, the first comprehensive assessment of macrobenthic fauna traits in temperate Australian waters. The SAMT database includes 13 traits and 54 trait‐modalities (e.g., life history, morphology, physiology, and behavior), and is based on records of macrobenthic fauna from South Australia. We provide trait information for more than 250 macrobenthic taxa, including outcomes from a fuzzy coding procedure, as well as an R package for using and analyzing the SAMT database. The establishment of the SAMT constitutes the foundation for a comprehensive macrobenthic trait database for the wider southern Australian region that could facilitate future research on functional perspectives, such as assessments of functional diversity and changes to ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine trends in ED presentations with a mental health diagnosis (MHdx) in Australia by jurisdiction and by sex, between 2004–05 and 2016–17. Methods: Data were captured in the National Non‐Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. Outcomes were the proportion of ED presentations with a principal diagnosis of ICD‐10‐AM F00‐F99 (MHdx), and the rate of all ED and MHdx presentations per 10 000 population. Results: Between 2004–05 and 2016–17, MHdx presentations experienced compounding annual growth of 5.9% nationally, and increased from 3.3% to 3.7% of all ED presentations with a diagnosis. Most growth occurred between 2010–11 and 2015–16. Northern Territory (NT) had the highest level of MHdx presentations per 10 000 population, more than double the Australian average. The proportion of MHdx presentations was highest in South Australia (SA) in most years, and the average annual proportion of MHdx presentations was statistically significantly higher than the national average in SA, Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). The proportion of MHdx presentations increased in each jurisdiction, with significant increases for Victoria, QLD, WA, Australian Capital Territory and NT. Males experienced greater numbers and rates of all ED and MHdx presentations, while the proportion of MHdx presentations was 8% higher for females. Conclusions: The proportion of ED presentations for MH conditions, narrowly defined, has increased in all Australian jurisdictions between 2004–05 and 2016–17, but particularly since 2010–11. Differences between jurisdictions indicate jurisdictional specific issues. However, significant or upward trend of MHdx presentations across all jurisdictions indicates generic issues necessitating concern and policy development at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eocene‐Oligocene transition (EOT) marked the initiation of large‐scale Antarctic glaciation. This fundamental change in Cenozoic climate state is recorded in deep‐sea sediments by a rapid benthic foraminiferal δ18O increase and appearance of ice‐rafted debris in the Southern Ocean. However, we know little about the magnitude of cooling associated with the EOT in shallow water environments, particularly at middle to high latitudes. Here we present new stratigraphic records of the C13r/C13n magnetochron boundary and the EOT in the clay‐rich Blanche Point Formation, South Australia. The Blanche Point Formation was deposited in a shallow shelf setting (water depths of <100 m) at a paleolatitude of ~51°S. We present high‐resolution δ18O, δ13C, and Mg/Ca records of environmental change from well‐preserved benthic foraminifera of latest Eocene age at this site. A marked, negative δ13C excursion occurs immediately before EOT Step 1 and may be a globally representative signal. An ~2 °C cooling of shallow shelf seawater is evident from benthic foraminiferal Mg/Ca across Step 1. This cooling signal is both sufficient to account fully for the δ18O increase in our data and is of similar amplitude to that documented in published records for shallow shelf and upper water column open ocean settings, which suggests no obvious polar amplification of this cooling signal. Our results strengthen the evidence base for attributing EOT Step 1 to global cooling with little contribution from ice volume growth and contradict the mechanism suggested to explain the inferred northward migration of the intertropical convergence zone in the contemporaneous equatorial Pacific Ocean. Key Points: We present a detailed stable isotopic and Mg/Ca record for the early Eocene‐Oligocene transition from southern Australia at ~51°SShallow shelf (<100 m deep) seawater temperatures fell 2 °C across this part of the transitionSurface seawater δ18O values were probably closer to positive one than negative one within this embayment in the latest Eocene, indicating that a source of relatively saline water was present at this time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth mounds are common archaeological features in some regions of Australia, particularly within the Murray‐Darling Basin. These features are generally considered to have formed via the repeated use of earth oven cookery methods employed by Aboriginal people during the mid‐ to late‐Holocene. This study assesses the relative effectiveness of key geophysical methods including magnetometry, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in mapping, and determining the stratigraphy of earth mound sites. Three earth mounds adjacent to Hunchee Creek, on Calperum Station in South Australia's Riverland region, were chosen to conduct a comparative trial of these methods. This research demonstrated that geophysics can be used to both locate mounds and provide information as to deposit thickness and size. Individual ovens within mounds can also be located. This suggests a greater potential role for geophysics in understanding the Holocene archaeological record in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The koala's Phascolarctos cinereus distribution is currently restricted to eastern and south‐eastern Australia. However, fossil records dating from 70 ± 4 ka (ka = 103 yr) from south‐western Australia and the Nullarbor Plain are evidence of subpopulation extinctions in the southwest at least after the Last Interglacial (~128–116 ka). We hypothesize that koala sub‐population extinctions resulted from the eastward retraction of the koala's main browse species in response to unsuitable climatic conditions. We further posit a general reduction in the distribution of main koala‐browse trees in the near future in response climate change. We modelled 60 koala‐browse species and constructed a set of correlative species distribution models for five time periods: Last Interglacial (~128–116 ka), Last Glacial Maximum (~23–19 ka), Mid‐Holocene (~7–5 ka), present (interpolations of observed data, representative of 1960–1990), and 2070. We based our projections on five hindcasts and one forecast of climatic variables extracted from WorldClim based on two general circulation models (considering the most pessimistic scenario of high greenhouse‐gas emissions) and topsoil clay fraction. We used 17 dates of koala fossil specimens identified as reliable from 70 (± 4) to 535 (± 49) ka, with the last appearance of koalas at 70 ka in the southwest. The main simulated koala‐browse species were at their greatest modelled extent of suitability during the Last Glacial Maximum, with the greatest loss of koala habitat occurring between the Mid‐Holocene and the present. We predict a similar habitat loss between the present and 2070. The spatial patterns of habitat change support our hypothesis that koala extinctions in the southwest, Nullarbor Plain and central South Australia resulted from the eastward retraction of the dominant koala‐browse species in response to long‐term climate changes. Future climate patterns will likely increase the extinction risk of koalas in their remaining eastern ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Analysis of the distribution of allied dental practitioners relative to the socio-economic profile of the population, to develop a baseline of employment demographics at a time of proposed deregulation of practicing restrictions.Methods: A database of allied dental practitioners (ADP - oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists) was compiled from the public access register of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The principal practice locations limited to suburb and postcode were geocoded by latitude and longitude and superimposed on a map of the Australian landmass using QGIS software. Using Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the number of ADPs for each Statistical Area 2 (SA2) was counted and apportioned according to proportion of the population within each SA2 for each quintile of the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD). The results were reported according to oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists per 100 000 population for each IRSD quintile, by state and territory, and the Australian Regional Index for Areas (ARIA+).Results: The ADP to population ratio was not consistent for each professional class between states and territories, IRSD quintiles and (ARIA+) regional areas. Across major cities, South Australia was the state with the highest ratio of oral health therapists (10.6-12.9) and dental hygienists (14.6-24.5) for all IRSD quintiles. Western Australia had the highest ratio of dental therapists (9.3-16.0), CONCLUSION: There is no consistent pattern of distribution of ADPs relative to the socio-economic profile of the population across states and territories, and regional (ARIA+) areas of Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluated the associations between oral and general health behaviours, self-reported health and quality of life of adults aged 75 years or older living independently in South Australia.Methods: A cross sectional study based on a self-report mailed questionnaire was conducted in 590 independently living adults aged 75 years or older. Self-ratings of oral health and general health were assessed using single-item global ratings. Quality of life was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile and the EuroQol instrument for health utility.Results: The overall response rate was 78%. The current analyses were restricted to 354 dentate older adults. Increasing age and being female were negatively associated with EuroQol scores. Good self-rated oral and general health were more prevalent in participants with higher social status who also had lower oral health impact and higher EuroQol scores. Good self-rated oral and general health were less prevalent while oral health impact was greater in participants who ate few fruits, vegetables or dairy products.Conclusions: Self-rated health and quality of life were poor in older adults with inadequate fruit/vegetables/dairy intake and lower social status. These findings suggest that nutrition and socioeconomic factors may be important to the oral and general health of adults aged 75 years or older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem There is a lack of access to simulation-based education ( SBE) for professional entry students ( PES) and health professionals at rural and remote locations. Design A descriptive study. Setting Health and education facilities in regional South Australia and south-west Victoria. Key measures for improvement Number of training recipients who participated in SBE;, geographical distribution and locations where SBE was delivered;, number of rural clinical educators providing SBE., Strategies for change A distributed model to deliver SBE in rural and remote locations in collaboration with local health and community services, education providers and the general public. Face-to-face meetings with health services and education providers identified gaps in locally delivered clinical skills training and availability of simulation resources. Clinical leadership, professional development and community of practice strategies were implemented to enhance capacity of rural clinical educators to deliver SBE. Effects of change The number of SBE participants and training hours delivered exceeded targets. The distributed model enabled access to regular, localised training for PES and health professionals, minimising travel and staff backfill costs incurred when attending regional centres. The skills acquired by local educators remain in rural areas to support future training. Lessons learnt The distributed collaborative model substantially increased access to clinical skills training for PES and health professionals in rural and remote locations. Developing the teaching skills of rural clinicians optimised the use of simulation resources. Consequently, health services were able to provide students with flexible and realistic learning opportunities in clinical procedures, communication techniques and teamwork skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights economic and political issues in South Australia from January-June 2016. Topics discussed include the unemployment rate in the region in April, the debt accumulated by steel manufacturer Arrium Ltd. which forced the company into administration in April, and information on the "Tentative Findings" in February presented by the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission.

Nations across the world and through time have used skilled migration mechanisms to boost economic growth and workforce competitiveness. However, effectively using these talents from abroad and transforming this collective human capital into valuable social capital is an on-going challenge. This study applies a case study analysis of skilled migrants from China and India in South Australia and finds that there are multiple barriers to the successful integration of skilled migrants. These barriers tend to block the effective utilization of migrants' skills and reduce the ability to advance social capital in the community. The study concludes by putting forward various policy recommendations to overcome these obstacles and outlines ideas for an effective application of a skilled migrant programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The baby boomer generation poses challenges to understand how to enhance both the well-being and the continuing workforce participation of older workers. We sought to explore the role of social relations both at work and in other domains of life, in relation to the health and well-being of the baby boomer workforce in Australia. Methods Employed participants ( n = 743) born 1946-1965 inclusive provided information about their work environment, financial security and loneliness. Regressions were used to explore the relationships of those variables to well-being (work-life interference, absenteeism, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, health and psychological distress). Results Social environment indicators especially supervisor support and worker loneliness reliably increased the variance explained by demographics and work demands and control, in well-being outcomes. Conclusion To maintain the well-being and workforce participation of baby boomer generation workers, employers need to attend to creating worker-friendly environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we argue that contemporary nursing care has been overtaken by new public management strategies aimed at curtailing budgets in the public hospital sector in Australia. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 15 nurses from one public acute hospital with supporting documentary evidence, we demonstrate what happens to nursing work when management imposes rounding as a risk reduction strategy. In the case study outlined rounding was introduced across all wards in response to missed care, which in turn arose as a result of work intensification produced by efficiency, productivity, effectiveness and accountability demands. Rounding is a commercially sponsored practice consistent with new public management. Our study illustrates the impact that new public management strategies such as rounding have on how nurses work, both in terms of work intensity and in who controls their labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section offers news briefs related to political and economic conditions in South Australia from January-June 2015. Premier Weatherill awarded the contract for the sale of the Gillman site a group of businessmen called Adelaide Capital Partners (ACP). The government launched a public consultation for the draft terms of reference from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission. An unemployment rate of 7.6% in June 2015 was registered by South Australia.

Rationale and Objectives: In epidemiological research, it is essential to account for the confounding effects of factors such as age, stage, and comorbidity for accurate prediction of cancer outcomes. There are several internationally developed and commonly used comorbidity indices. However, none are regarded as the gold-standard method. This study will assess and compare the predictive validity of established indices for use in a South Australian (SA) colorectal cancer (CRC) population against a local index. Furthermore, the prognostic influence of comorbidity on survival is investigated., Methods: A population-based study of patients diagnosed with CRC from 2003 to 2012 and linked to in-hospital data to retrieve comorbidity information was conducted. The predictive performance of established indices, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), National Cancer Institute comorbidity index (NCI), Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI), and C3 index was evaluated using the Fine and Gray competing risk regression and reported using measures of calibration and discrimination, area under the curve (AUC), and Brier score. Furthermore, to identify the optimal index, a local CRC comorbidity index (CRCCI) was also developed and its performance compared with the established indices., Results: Comorbidity models adjusted for age, sex, and stage showed that all indices were good predictors of mortality as measured by the AUC (CCI: 0.738, NCI: 0.742, ECI: 0.733, C3: 0.739). CRCCI had similar mortality prediction as established indices (CRCCI: 0.747). There was a significant increase in cumulative risk of noncancer and CRC-specific mortality with increase in comorbidity scores. The two most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes., Conclusions: The existing indices are still valid for adjusting for comorbidity and accurately predicting mortality in an SA CRC population. Internationally developed indices are preferred when policymakers and researchers wish to compare local study results with those of studies (national and international) that have used these indices. Comorbidity is a predictor of mortality and should be considered when assessing CRC survival., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

ABSTRACT The site of St John's provides a unique insight into the internal dynamics and materiality of a nineteenth century Catholic girls' reformatory and the silent lives of the young women, both inmates and nuns, who were confined there. The organisation and material culture of the site reflects the intersection of Australian colonial, Catholic and 'middle-class' ideologies. This institution's purpose was to reform through the imparting of a Catholic hegemony of 'appropriate' female behaviour and sexuality; this hegemony was supported by enculturation, which included the altering, confining, decorating and ordering of the St John's space. The site and its assemblage, whilst small, demonstrate the framework for, and materiality of, the reformatory system that was underpinned by deep traditions of female confinement based in Catholic institutional models. Gender as a social process is key to reading and interpreting the materiality of the St John's Reformatory for girls. Gender frames, informs and contextualises the materiality of the site, its aims, its operation and thus its archaeological interpretation. Further, the ideological gender roles and regimes related through historical accounts provide the context for the embeddedness of gender in the material culture found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim Growth in the number of occupational therapy programmes in Australia has resulted in a critical shortage of academics. When experienced clinicians are recruited into academia, they may find the transition process difficult. The study aimed to explore clinicians' perspectives of what happens when they transition into academia. Method A constructivist grounded theory approach was used in this qualitative research project. Recruitment was conducted using purposive and theoretical sampling from occupational therapy programmes in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed using constant comparative method through a process of open, axial, selective and theoretical coding. Results Sixteen participants engaged in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The theory of transition into academia included a process of 'weighing up the commitment' to academia and the core category of 'a good fit for me'. The transition was characterised by the taxing nature of the work, the need to learn multiple aspects of a new role, the different values and beliefs in an academic environment and the amount of time it took to achieve success. Participants underwent a shift in identity to adjust to the academic environment and eventually reached a point where they were able to judge if academia suited them. Conclusion Australian universities have long-standing cultural practices which differ considerably from clinical settings. Transitioning from a clinical to an academic occupational therapy role requires complex adjustments to values, beliefs and identity. The process involved consideration by the new academics of their 'fit' for academia, and how committed they were to stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Advance care planning is regarded as integral to better patient outcomes, yet little is known about the prevalence of advance directives ( AD) in Australia. Aim To determine the prevalence of AD in the Australian population. Methods A national telephone survey about estate and advance planning. Sample was stratified by age (18-45 and >45 years) and quota sampling occurred based on population size in each state and territory. Results Fourteen per cent of the Australian population has an AD. There is state variation with people from South Australia and Queensland more likely to have an AD than people from other states. Will making and particularly completion of a financial enduring power of attorney are associated with higher rates of AD completion. Standard demographic variables were of limited use in predicting whether a person would have an AD. Conclusions Despite efforts to improve uptake of advance care planning (including AD), barriers remain. One likely trigger for completing an AD and advance care planning is undertaking a wider future planning process (e.g. making a will or financial enduring power of attorney). This presents opportunities to increase advance care planning, but steps are needed to ensure that planning, which occurs outside the health system, is sufficiently informed and supported by health information so that it is useful in the clinical setting. Variations by state could also suggest that redesign of regulatory frameworks (such as a user-friendly and well-publicised form backed by statute) may help improve uptake of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past twenty years interest has grown in the concept of social capital in international and Australian public policy. We explore how social capital is understood as a concept and used in practice for guiding policy development and program delivery in South Australian public health programs. The empirical research compared policy makers' and practitioners' understandings of social capital and how theories about social capital and health inequality were translated into practice in three case study projects. It found that there are shifting discourses between social capital and related concepts, including community capacity building, and social inclusion/exclusion. Policy makers reported less use of the concept of social capital in favour of social inclusion/exclusion reflecting changing political and policy environments where terms come into favour and then go out of fashion. In this transition period the two terms are often used interchangeably although there are some conceptual points of difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Discrimination in women's health care, particularly perinatal care, has received minimal attention. The aim of this study is to describe women's experience of discrimination in different models of maternity care and to examine the relationship between maternal social characteristics and perceived discrimination in perinatal care. Methods A population-based postal survey was mailed 6 months postpartum to all women who gave birth in two Australian states in September and October 2007. Perceived discrimination was assessed using a five-item measure designed to elicit information about experiences of unequal treatment by health professionals. Results A total of 4,366 eligible women completed the survey. Women attending public models of maternity care were significantly more likely to report perceived discrimination compared with women attending a private obstetrician (30.7% vs 19.7%, OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.5-2.1). Compared with women reporting no stressful life events or social health issues in pregnancy, those reporting three or more stressful life events or social health issues had a twofold increase in adjusted odds of perceived discrimination (41.1% vs 20.4%, adj OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.8-2.8). Young women (< 25 yr) and women who were smoking in pregnancy were also at increased risk of experiencing perceived discrimination. Conclusions Discrimination is an unexplored factor in how women experience perinatal care. Developing approaches to perinatal care that incorporate the capacity to respond to the needs of vulnerable women and families requires far-reaching changes to the organization and provision of care. ( BIRTH 39:3 September 2012) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The River Murray and the Coorong in Australia have been in a state of decline. With the prospect of extended droughts and shifts in inflows due to climate change, difficult choices loom. The options include halting the decline, triage of some assets along the River or staying with the declining river system. To support decision-making, a survey was designed to elicit willingness to pay for improvements in environmental quality. Over 3000 Australians responded to this survey. The study focuses on key River Murray environmental quality indicators: the frequency of bird breeding along the River Murray, increasing native fish populations in the River Murray, increasing the area of healthy vegetation along the River Murray, and restoring water bird habitat in the Coorong. State/Territory models were jointly estimated using a panel multinomial logit error-components model. Willingness to pay estimates for improvements in environmental quality were calculated for the River Murray and the Coorong. Respondents were found to be willing to pay most for the Coorong and to improve waterbird breeding frequency. Respondents from the Australian Capital Territory were found to have significantly higher willingness to pay whereas those in Victoria had a significantly lower willingness to pay than respondents in other states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the role of groundwater discharge from Riverine Plains of the Murray-Darling Basin to the salt mobilization to the Murray River in Australia. It discusses the methodologies applied in the study which includes the classification and regression trees, conceptual modeling, and artificial neural networks that provides analyses from monthly data dated from July 1975 to December 2004. It focuses on greater significance of rainfall in salt loads compared to irrigation water.

At state and particularly in federal (or national) elections, Aboriginal Peoples in remote regions turn out to vote in low numbers. A number of hypotheses have been offered to explain the low voting participation of such constituencies. Some have asserted that Aboriginal Peoples do not wish to vote; others have suggested that “first order” elections have low salience for Aboriginal Peoples, thereby depressing turnout. The low political efficacy thesis has also been proposed, as well as cultural and mechanical factors. We consider whether any of these hypotheses are plausible using data obtained in group interviews with twenty-nine Anangu Women in remote South Australia. On the basis of this fieldwork we consider means for stimulating turnout within this, and in similar, constituencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Longitudinal patterns of public dental service use may reflect access issues to public dental care services. Therefore, patterns of dental service use among South Australian adult public dental patients over a 3½-year period were examined. Methods: Public dental patients (n = 898) initially receiving a course of emergency dental care (EDC) or general dental care (GDC) at baseline were followed for up to 3½ years. Patient clinical records were accessed electronically to obtain information on dental visits and treatment received at those visits. Results: Some 70.7 per cent of EDC and 51.3 per cent of GDC patients returned for dental treatment post-baseline. EDC patients returned within a significantly shorter time period post-baseline, received significantly more courses of care and were visiting more frequently than GDC patients. A greater proportion of EDC patients received oral surgery, restorative, endodontic and prosthodontic services, but fewer received periodontic services. EDC patients received significantly more oral surgery and fewer preventive services per follow-up year, on average, than GDC patients. Large proportions of EDC (52.4 per cent) and GDC (63.8 per cent) patients who returned sought emergency care post-baseline. Conclusions: Patients appeared to be cycling through emergency dental care because of lack of access to general care services, highlighting access problems to public dental care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]