Senator McAllister launches new co-operative book

02 May 2016

Pictured at the book launch are Senator Jenny McAllister, Artuto Arcano, Italian Consul-General and Melina Morrison, BCCM CEO.

Last Friday, Senator Jenny McAllister launched a new book by the Co-operatives Research Group (CRG) which compares the co-operative movements in Australia and Italy, particularly exploring why the co-operative sector is stronger in Italy compared to Australia.

Cooperative Enterprises in Australia and Italy: Comparative analysis and theoretical insights is the result of a three year partnership between the University of Sydney and University of Trento, which are leading institutions in their respective jurisdictions.

From the Australian viewpoint the project was interested in exploring why the Australian co-operative movement was so weak relative to it its Italian counterparts. The study found that one significant reason was the very favourable legal environment for co-operatives in Italy compared to Australia with a reference to co-operatives in the current Italian Constitution, the encouragement of investment and the promotion of networking among co-operatives of all types, which is a hallmark of the Italian co-operatives.

Speaking at the launch, Senator McAllister remarked on the importance of the recent Senate inquiry into co-operatives and mutuals and how the current environment in Australian renders the sector invisible. Senator McAllister was a key member of the Senate Economics References Committee.

Also speaking at the event, Italian Consul-General, Arturo Arcano spoke about the important role that co-operatives play in Italy’s economy and society. The Consul-General also referenced that co-operatives are mentioned in the Italian Constitution. The authors of the book are Professor Greg Patmore, Anthony Jensen and Professor Ermanno Tortia.

View images from the Book Launch.