For your research essay you must critically analyse a contemporary Australian policy/ policy area of
your choice. Choose a specific area of social policy (some examples include same-sex marriage, maternity leave, child
care, higher education, asylum seeker policy, or the use of suspended sentences). Alternatively you could
choose one specific policy to analyse. The more specific your example the more in-depth analysis you will
be able to conduct. The policy must be Australian, but you may make reference to how the policy compares
to international standards and principles or the policy of other countries.