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Community engagement has assumed a more salient role in the operations of Australia's local governments. A vast number of legislative instruments and reporting requirements are imposed upon local governments by the states and the Northern Territory across Australia's seven local government jurisdictions. Consequently, a set of identifiable practices is solidifying as a core element of local government practice and state–local relations. However, while practices have recently proliferated, it is easy to forget that they are relatively new. This article examines the legislative frameworks of Australian local government systems by chronologically mapping the development of legislation and other reporting requirements. It is argued that community engagement now occupies a central place in local government, and that the jurisdictions use four different types of approaches, often simultaneously, which can fruitfully be described as 'prescriptive', 'aspirational', 'empowering' and 'hedging'. The discussion draws comparative observations and identifies key issues and challenges for the future of community engagement.
KeywordsCommunity engagement; Australia; local government; public participation; legislation

Community engagement has assumed a more salient role in the operations of Australia's local governments. A vast number of legislative instruments and reporting requirements are imposed upon local governments by the states and the Northern Territory across Australia's seven local government jurisdictions. Consequently, a set of identifiable practices is solidifying as a core element of local government practice and state–local relations. However, while practices have recently proliferated, it is easy to forget that they are relatively new. This article examines the legislative frameworks of Australian local government systems by chronologically mapping the development of legislation and other reporting requirements. It is argued that community engagement now occupies a central place in local government, and that the jurisdictions use four different types of approaches, often simultaneously, which can fruitfully be described as 'prescriptive', 'aspirational', 'empowering' and 'hedging'. The discussion draws comparative observations and identifies key issues and challenges for the future of community engagement. KeywordsCommunity engagement; Australia; local government; public participation; legislation

Public institutions in Australia are subject to increasing statutory requirements to engage their communities, and consequently the number of practitioners has increased. These participatory and deliberative practitioners design, deliver, and evaluate democratic processes on behalf of public institutions. This article argues that the practitioner body has broadened, where different types of practitioners can now be identified in Australia. This broadening is the result of three main variables: (1) whether practitioners are employed by or contracted to public institutions; (2) whether they are engaged to work on projects with limited or considerable scope; and (3) whether they are focused on limited time frame processes or entire programs. Drawing on the results of a mixed method study, including survey and semi-structured interviews, this article explores the work contexts that shape the contemporary Australian practitioner, drawing lessons that can inform their practice in other contexts.

Public institutions in Australia are subject to increasing statutory requirements to engage their communities, and consequently the number of practitioners has increased. These participatory and deliberative practitioners design, deliver, and evaluate democratic processes on behalf of public institutions. This article argues that the practitioner body has broadened, where different types of practitioners can now be identified in Australia. This broadening is the result of three main variables: (1) whether practitioners are employed by or contracted to public institutions; (2) whether they are engaged to work on projects with limited or considerable scope; and (3) whether they are focused on limited time frame processes or entire programs. Drawing on the results of a mixed method study, including survey and semi-structured interviews, this article explores the work contexts that shape the contemporary Australian practitioner, drawing lessons that can inform their practice in other contexts.

To assess the effectiveness of telephone-based interventions for mental illness, a systematic search of the literature was conducted using the databases PsycINFO and PubMed, and the search engine Google Scholar. The search identified 14 studies evaluating telephone-based interventions in the areas of depression (n=6), anxiety (n=3), eating disorders (n=3), substance use (n=1) and schizophrenia (n=1). Although these studies provide evidence that telephone interventions can be effective, the few studies conducted, small sample sizes and lack of randomized controlled trial methodology prevent firm conclusions from being drawn. The articles reviewed suggest that an effective telephone intervention includes clearly structured therapy sessions and homework tasks. However, further evidence using large-scale, randomized controlled trials must be obtained in order to inform government and telephone counselling agencies about the efficacy of telephone interventions.

To assess the effectiveness of telephone-based interventions for mental illness, a systematic search of the literature was conducted using the databases PsycINFO and PubMed, and the search engine Google Scholar. The search identified 14 studies evaluating telephone-based interventions in the areas of depression (n=6), anxiety (n=3), eating disorders (n=3), substance use (n=1) and schizophrenia (n=1). Although these studies provide evidence that telephone interventions can be effective, the few studies conducted, small sample sizes and lack of randomized controlled trial methodology prevent firm conclusions from being drawn. The articles reviewed suggest that an effective telephone intervention includes clearly structured therapy sessions and homework tasks. However, further evidence using large-scale, randomized controlled trials must be obtained in order to inform government and telephone counselling agencies about the efficacy of telephone interventions.

Participatory budgeting (PB), a process whereby governments seek direct input from citizens into financial decisions, is gaining a foothold in the community engagement practices of Australian local governments. Following questions of definition, we survey the theoretical terrain, locating PB within several components of local democracy. We then provide details of six PB processes in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. We identify several questions for the future of PB in Australian local governments, including the role of deliberative practices as part of the broader work of councils, the issue of the adaptability of councils and leaders, the impacts upon state and local governments, and the role of third parties. The article concludes by reflecting on how PB sits with democratic practices at the local level if it continues to be implemented.

OBJECTIVE: To identify reports in the "grey literature" of programs conducted in Australian primary care to improve depression and anxiety outcomes, and to examine these reports for evidence of effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken for grey literature reports using primary health care research databases, community and professional websites, clearinghouse sources, government reports, and reports from the Australian General Practice Network. Reports were included if they related to programs targeting depression or anxiety, contained qualitative or quantitative effectiveness data, and were published during 1995-2006. RESULTS: In total, 642 reports were identified, of which 43 met inclusion criteria. Of the 43 programs described, 30 were delivered in general practice, five in the community or residential care, three in schools, and five were Internet or computer based. Nine programs were also reported in the formal "black" literature, but most, including the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative, were not. Limited data on effectiveness or patient outcomes were available in the grey literature. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no single service that identifies, describes and catalogues the range and effectiveness of mental health initiatives in Australia. There may be a role for a mental health information "clearinghouse" to facilitate dissemination and education, and to promote collaboration among researchers, practitioners, consumers and policymakers. Innovative schemes to disseminate evidence-based models and to encourage the collection of data on patient outcomes in such programs are needed.

OBJECTIVE: To identify reports in the "grey literature" of programs conducted in Australian primary care to improve depression and anxiety outcomes, and to examine these reports for evidence of effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken for grey literature reports using primary health care research databases, community and professional websites, clearinghouse sources, government reports, and reports from the Australian General Practice Network. Reports were included if they related to programs targeting depression or anxiety, contained qualitative or quantitative effectiveness data, and were published during 1995-2006. RESULTS: In total, 642 reports were identified, of which 43 met inclusion criteria. Of the 43 programs described, 30 were delivered in general practice, five in the community or residential care, three in schools, and five were Internet or computer based. Nine programs were also reported in the formal "black" literature, but most, including the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative, were not. Limited data on effectiveness or patient outcomes were available in the grey literature. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no single service that identifies, describes and catalogues the range and effectiveness of mental health initiatives in Australia. There may be a role for a mental health information "clearinghouse" to facilitate dissemination and education, and to promote collaboration among researchers, practitioners, consumers and policymakers. Innovative schemes to disseminate evidence-based models and to encourage the collection of data on patient outcomes in such programs are needed.

Background: There are presently no validated scales to adequately measure the stigma of suicide in the community. The Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) is a new scale containing 58 descriptors of a "typical" person who completes suicide. Aims: To validate the SOSS as a tool for assessing stigma toward suicide, to examine the scale's factor structure, and to assess correlates of stigmatizing attitudes. Method: In March 2010, 676 staff and students at the Australian National University completed the scale in an online survey. The construct validity of the SOSS was assessed by comparing its factors with factors extracted from the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ). Results: Three factors were identified: stigma, isolation/depression, and glorification/normalization. Each factor had high internal consistency and strong concurrent validity with the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire. More than 25% of respondents agreed that people who suicided were "weak," "reckless," or "selfish." Respondents who were female, who had a psychology degree, or who spoke only English at home were less stigmatizing. A 16-item version of the scale also demonstrated robust psychometric properties. Conclusions: The SOSS is the first attitudes scale designed to directly measure the stigma of suicide in the community. Results suggest that psychoeducation may successfully reduce stigma.

Objective. Evaluate the effectiveness of distance physical activity interventions to establish intervention features that are key to success. Data Source. Computerized searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of distance physical activity interventions and visual scans of reference lists were performed between March 2004 and July 2006. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Studies were included if they (1) employed a randomized controlled design, (2) encouraged physical activity in adults, and (3) had no face-to-face contact between participants and researchers or health educators. Data Extraction. Twenty-two studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. Authors assessed the quality of the studies and coded articles according to key intervention features. Data Synthesis. This review is a systematic narrative review. Heterogeneity and poor study quality made formal meta-analysis inappropriate. Nevertheless, effect sizes were calculated for studies comparing intervention with control. Results. Overall, distance interventions increased physical activity in the short term (between-group effect size range, −.2 to .45). Print medium plus telephone contact was the most effective delivery mode. Conclusions. Poor study quality prevented firm conclusions. However, distance interventions were found to promote physical activity in the short term for some populations. This review provided limited support for the efficacy of distance exercise interventions and revealed limitations of the extant literature. Expansion of RCT research into distance approaches to promoting physical activity is warranted.