The process of reform in any complex organisation is difficult, uneven and subject to being blown off course by events. In two recent articles in the Conversation I have drawn attention to the cultural…
What should we make of the announcement that the academy chain E-ACT is being stripped of ten of its 34 schools because of under-performance? It is unwise to jump to conclusions when details are still…
What is a meaningful role for the Commonwealth government in the early 21st century?
AAP Image/Paul Miller
SECURING AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE: As the Commission of Audit reviews government activity and spending, The Conversation’s experts take a closer look at key policy areas tied to this funding – what’s working…
Health insurance infomediary iSelect saw a 15% decline in its share price immediately after listing on the ASX in June.
AAP/Paul Miller
Insurance infomediary iSelect lost its chief executive this week, just four months after the company went public, and less than two years into the role. iSelect blamed the resignation on a “difference…
Let’s look at ways to shift some power to northern decision makers.
Michael and Daphne Oliver
Northern futures, northern voices: It seems everyone has ideas about how Australia’s north could be better, but most of those ideas come from the south. In this six-part weekly series, developed by the…
Harvest time: Asia’s rising incomes and demand for food are no guarantee of a mining-style payday for Australian farmers.
AAP/EPA/Raminder Pal Singh
In recent weeks Australia’s PM, a shadow minister, and a state premier have heralded the opportunities for Australian farmers to capitalise on a global food-shortage and, in particular, rising demand for…
Workers building a stadium in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. Questions linger about the process that saw Qatar granted the 2018 event.
AAP/Fernando Bizerra Jr
Rangers Football Club, the historically Protestant half of Glasgow’s “Old Firm” (the other half being the Catholic Celtic) has entered financial administration to prevent UK tax authorities installing…
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan called for assistance in reforming the WHO at the 64th World Health Assembly.
WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) remains the most important player in global health despite growing problems with its structure and funding. Australia is in an excellent position to help modernise the…
The World Health Organisation is the undoubted leader in global health but faces a crisis of leadership.
US Mission Geneva
The World Health Organisation has a vital role to play in global health but 65 years after it came into being, it’s plagued by ossified structures that prevent it from exercising the flexibility it needs…
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey wants the Opposition’s policies privately costed.
AAP
Federal parliament has begun debating the merits of a new independent unit which would cost election promises and policies for all parliamentarians. But one of the more controversial aspects of the Gillard…
Hazlewood coal-fired power station would be uneconomic under a carbon tax.
AAP
The carbon tax is the latest attempt by an Australian government to legislate in order to avert disaster, this time to the climate. Whether the tax will become law sits on a knife edge, and the stakes…
Despite the success of the State of Origin, rugby league still lags behind the AFL in terms of popularity.
AAP
The move to establish an independent commission to run rugby league is a long overdue acknowledgement that strong corporate governance is essential in the small but intensely competitive Australian market…
In its latest attempt to derail the plain cigarette packaging legislation, Big Tobacco has pulled out one of its favourite pro-tobacco messages: say no to a nanny state. The print advertisements and website…