Advocacy

As the peak national organisation of historians, the Australian Historical Association is committed to advocating on behalf of its members on issues relating to the professional practice of history.

The AHA takes leadership on matters relating to:

  • The ethical practice of history in Australia.
  • Nationally significant institutions and resources relating to the practice of history.
  • Collaboration with other professional Associations
  • Research and funding bodies
  • Significant national events or debates

To raise a matter with the AHA Executive Committee please email the Admin Officer.

2024

AHA Statement in response to the Australian Government’s invitation for nominations for the Australian War Memorial Council

AHA Letter to Victorian Minister for Government Services concerning the abolishment of the Public Records Advisory Council

Report: University History Staffing in Australia and New Zealand, 2022

2023

AHA Report on Out-of-Field Teaching in History in Australian Schools

AHA Statement on Proposed Cuts to History at the Australian Catholic University

AHA Submission: Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper

AHA advocacy concerning the impact of efficiency dividends on Australia’s National Cultural Institutions

AHA advocacy concerning the representation of frontier wars in the Australian War Memorial

2022

AHA Statement on National Library of Australia Manuscripts Closure

AHA National Cultural Policy Submission

‘History Opened Many Doors’: The Australian Historical Association History Graduates Survey

AHA Statement on the ABC Archives Proposal

AHA Submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Inquiry into the ARC Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018

AHA Statement on the Recent Interference in the ARC Grants Process

2021

AHA Statement on Proposed Changes to ARC Funding and Governance Arrangements

AHA Submission to the HASS Research Data Commons

AHA Submission to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) Review of the Australian Curriculum

AHA Response to the Functional and Efficiency Review of the National Archives of Australia (Tune Review)

AHA Submission to the Indigenous Voice Discussion Paper in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart

2020

Inquiry into the NSW State Records Act and the Policy Paper on its Review Submission

The Australian Historical Association Journal Matrix: 2020-21

Letter from HASS Associations Opposing Changes to HASS Degree Fees

Statement from the AHA on the impact of COVID-19 on History Postgraduates

Letters from the Australian Historical Association to members of the crossbench urging a vote against proposed funding cuts to the humanities: Senator Stirling Griff, Senator Rex Patrick, Senator Jacqui Lambie, Rebekha Sharkie MP

Letter from the Australian Historical Association to Senator Jacqui Lambie, defending the value of historical expertise with reference to Teddy Sheean VC.

Submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, urging withdrawal of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.

Submission to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, inquiring into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.

Submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) comprehensive review of Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and the Engagement and Impact Assessment (EI)

Australian Historical Association responds to announcement of increased costs of humanities subjects

2018-19

Inquiry into Canberra’s National Institutions Report

AHA response to political interference in the peer review process of awarding Australian Research Council grants

Letter to the Director-General of NAA regarding archival access costs

Open letter to the Prime Minister: Support the Uluru Statement from the Heart

National Archives of Australia Tune Review Submission

Australian Research Council ANZSRC Review Submission

AAH Future Humanities Workforce Consultation Submission

Senate Inquiry into Nationhood, National Identity and Democracy Submission

You Matter: The Australian Historical Association’s Casualisation Survey

Statement of Support for University of Western Australia Publishing

The State of the Discipline: University History in Australia and New Zealand