A reduced aid budget equates to the forsaking of real opportunities in foreign policy terms. In the long term, this could make the savings look miniscule compared to opportunity costs.
At its peak in 1996, nearly 25% of Australia’s working-age population was receiving basic income support benefits.
AAP/Dan Peled
What aspects of the government’s reforms succeeded in assisting people into employment? And did the reforms improve the population’s economic well-being? Or have they left some groups worse off?
In Ali Curung, 400km north of Alice Springs, the things that work for the community, including a local broadcasting and computer centre, are a response to local strengths and needs.
AAP/Dan Peled
In some Indigenous communities, the ratio of programs to people served is possibly the highest in the world. Somehow, for many, Closing the Gap remains an elusive goal. A rethink is needed.
Clashes over the building of a mosque in Bendigo are a reminder of how easily strong public feelings about immigration can be exploited.
AAP/Brendan McCarthy
Australians need to have a broad conversation about immigration. This must go beyond border security to discuss immigration’s broad functions, social impacts and the national interests it serves.
Melbourne is one of the fastest-growing cities in the developed world, and the other big Australian cities aren’t far behind.
AAP/David Crosling
With the failures of past planning now apparent, the unruly threat of a damaged and depleting planet is ushering us toward a fourth era of urban restructuring. What might City v4.0 look like?
Employees need to have more say at work, which means tackling all forms of corruption and law-breaking.
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The Australian parliament is not a very representative place – but the bigger problems is the poor quality of its deliberations.
Malcolm Turnbull’s speech to the Paris climate summit lacked real focus, but he still has time to grab the issue with both hands before the election.
EPA/Christophe Petit Tesson
Australia has been mired in climate confusion for years - as reflected by its underwhelming performance at last year’s Paris climate summit. Here’s how to get things back on an even keel.
Young people are pressured into university and many end up in unsuitable courses. We need to recognise these realities and be clear about the purpose of higher education so it doesn’t lose its value.
Education standards in Australia are slipping.
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Sue Thomson, Australian Council for Educational Research
International education tests reveal Australia has either stagnated or declined in many subject areas, including maths and science, while other countries have made big improvements. Why is this?
Social media provides a way of answering back, and an alternative source of material, ideas and priorities.
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Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford