Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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Energy and oil: we are deluding ourselves into believing that business as usual can continue indefinitely. Nation Building - Cameron Leckie - 13 comments
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Labor or Liberal? Sometimes it seems that changes in government are limited to changes in the official stationery. Domestic Politics - John Töns - 13 comments
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China was the world’s factory, India was its call centre and services provider: the financial crisis changed all that. International - Leon Gettler - 1 comment
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Should we care about the earnings gap between city professionals and the men and women who clean their offices? Society - Andrew Leigh - 24 comments
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Databases of traditional medicines can help protect against biopiracy while opening doors for new drug discoveries. Science & Technology - Priya Shetty
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Despite being a nation built by immigrants, Australia faces fresh challenges in dealing with new arrivals, particularly from India. Society - Robin Jeffrey - 7 comments
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Monday, March 8, 2010
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Population growth is a virtually insurmountable challenge, becoming ever more costly as resources are spread thinner. Economics - Jane O'Sullivan - 45 comments
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Healthcare: it's not who pays that's important, it's about getting more value and better service. Health - Katie Lahey - 8 comments
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Chief Justice Diana Bryant has showed leadership in stepping up to the plate to protect children where the government has so far failed to do so. Law & Liberties - Barbara Biggs - 26 comments
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Maybe Kerry Stokes' business interests of mining and media have something in common after all. Economics - Richard Stanton
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One of the distinguishing traits of human beings is our devotion to continually increasing consumption and increasing profits. Feature - Christine Goonrey - 11 comments
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Can trading partners also be strategic adversaries? International - Dilip Hiro - 2 comments
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Friday, March 5, 2010
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Is the ABC’s 'Australian Story' in the business of public interest storytelling or political advocacy? Environment - Mark Poynter - 51 comments
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There’s no doubt some politicians are insincere some of the time. But it’s a worry if, led by our media, we believe them to be hypocritical all the time. Domestic Politics - Jennifer Wilson - 14 comments
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Why do we insist on giving fat people a bad time and why do fat people continue to put up with such treatment? Health - Lydia Turner - 16 comments
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Wilderness is a political and an urban concept; more about ideas and ideology than about what happens on the ground. Feature - Roger Underwood - 16 comments
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From the founding of the nation through to the latest Hollywood film, Americans have been excellent myth makers. International - Brendon O'Connor - 6 comments
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It'd be nice if TV news spent as much time discussing significant issues as it does delivering semi-accurate weather reports. Media - Walt Brasch - 1 comment
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
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The technological issues associated with the government's proposed Internet filtering are minor compared to the political and civil liberties issues. Science & Technology - Arved von Brasch - 20 comments
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One thing terrorists have achieved hands down is they have made it harder to be freely Muslim in today’s world. Law & Liberties - Melati Lum - 34 comments
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Haiti has had the short end of the stick, time and time again, in its relationships with richer, powerful countries. International - Adele Webb
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If the government is serious about crime and substance overuse it must abandon the policy of arbitrary drug prohibition. Law & Liberties - Evert Rauwendaal - 58 comments
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The incredible success of Stephanie Meyer’s 'Twilight' series has had a snowball effect on the publishing and movie industries. The Arts - Kirsten Oakley - 7 comments
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Each succeeding generation has become more disconnected from Mother Earth than the one before it. Society - Brian Holden - 24 comments
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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Local governments deserve full constitutional recognition coupled with fair treatment and fair funding mechanisms. Society - Jieh-Yung Lo - 6 comments
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A few errors by the IPCC doesn't mean climate change is an illusion or that CO2 emissions don't need to be cut. Environment - Robert Watson - 64 comments
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Well before recent controversies, the work of the IPCC was marred by an unwillingness to listen to dissenting points of view. Environment - Roger Pielke - 18 comments
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It's a struggle to find a complete set of clothes NOT made in China for the 'Free Tibet' march on March 10. International - Tenpa Dugdak - 1 comment
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The river red gum wetland forests along the Murray River provide a perfect illustration of why protected areas are so important. Feature - Lindsay Hesketh - 9 comments
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That a psychiatrist can receive the Australian of the Year award is proof the stigma associated with mental health has improved. Health - Tanveer Ahmed - 2 comments
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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The Chinese Communist Party appears to see the world revolving around China and its needs, rather than China being part of a global community. International - Arthur Thomas - 8 comments
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Abortion doesn’t have to be justified and it doesn’t have to fit your neighbour’s or co-worker’s opinions of a 'good enough reason'. Society - Angie Jackson - 83 comments
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There is a lack of sophistication with our current classification scheme: the debate over videogaming is off-target! Media - Taimor Hazou - 1 comment
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The Reserve Bank should continue its program of restoring a more normal monetary policy today. Economics - Henry Thornton
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Fear of the return of political Islam has always been well rooted in the psyche of the Western-oriented part of Turkey's population. International - Alice Aslan - 7 comments
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Political parties of both Right and Left have ignored society for a century in their obsession with the market and the state. Political Philosophy - Vern Hughes - 9 comments
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Monday, March 1, 2010
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The tenets of Christianity do not neatly conform to any party-political agenda. Domestic Politics - Roy Williams - 26 comments
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Wilderness, the ultimate self sustaining system, can provide the inspiration for an ecologically sustainable society. Feature - Keith Muir - 29 comments
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There is a tendency for states to have large s*xy transport projects to capture the public's imagination. Nation Building - Richard Allsop - 4 comments
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Humans can not argue with the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. Science & Technology - Andrew Glikson - 55 comments
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In the rush to get new products with new features to market, security vulnerabilities get overlooked. Science & Technology - Rob Knake and Adam Segal
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Lessons for economic policy-makers from the recent financial crisis and global recession. Economics - Saul Eslake - 1 comment
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Friday, February 26, 2010
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Kevin Rudd has mastered the art of talking and saying nothing, using the media to gain maximum impact and the art of spin. Domestic Politics - Bruce Haigh - 31 comments
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It's not about freedom of speech: the kind of freedom the advertising industry cares about is the freedom to consume. Law & Liberties - Sarah Burnside - 31 comments
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Marriage: the state should not be telling me or you that my or your relationship is less legitimate than another. Law & Liberties - Shane Ogden - 50 comments
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The border disputes between India and China are about recognition not land. International - Bertil Lintner - 2 comments
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Violence has failed to achieve Israel’s ends and has produced worldwide revulsion. International - John Pilger - 25 comments
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The NSW government's plan to develop Newcastle Port as a defence industry hub is an attempt to shore up Labor votes. Domestic Politics - Lee Rhiannon
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
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The risk of airline terrorism will never be zero. But let's try not to panic. Law & Liberties - Chris Berg - 8 comments
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According to Joe Hockey, Barnaby Joyce is 'real' while Kevin Rudd and Lindsay Tanner are 'not real' ... Domestic Politics - Brian Matthews - 37 comments
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Stephen Conroy's $250 million gift does not require free-to-air broadcasters to do anything extra to support the creation and delivery of Australian TV content. Media - Simon Whipp - 3 comments
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GM crops were supposed to rescue the world's one billion undernourished people. But will they ever curb hunger? Science & Technology - Carol Campbell - 7 comments
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Northeast India - seven Indian states with three international borders - has always been a boiling pot of emotions and grievances. International - Bertil Lintner - 6 comments
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Is television’s Golden Age out of touch with as many people as our PM thinks, or is his Labor Party? Society - Ben-Peter Terpstra - 13 comments
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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You would think Peter Garrett would be trying to stem the tide of scandals unfolding from his portfolio. Domestic Politics - Aaron Nielsen - 10 comments
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After the ACTU campaign to bring down Howard one would have thought unions would have more influence under Rudd Labor. Domestic Politics - Tristan Ewins - 26 comments
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Governments in the west are running mind-boggling budget deficits and printing money like there is no tomorrow. Economics - Puru Saxena - 11 comments
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On February 18 US President Barack Obama finally met the Dalai Lama, in spite of the protests of the Chinese Government. International - Chin Jin - 2 comments
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Taxpayers should be concerned that egregiously high salaries are paid to aid-funded advisers in the Pacific region. International - Helen Hughes - 8 comments
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Historical facts become important when looking for solutions to sovereignty in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. International - David Singer - 30 comments
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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Time spent inspecting China's property market reveals the sheer extent of vacant buildings and gleaming, empty, floor space. International - Arthur Thomas - 10 comments
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Asylum seekers: by employing language such as 'force' and 'deter' Tony Abbott is echoing Howard’s rhetoric. Domestic Politics - Evan Wallace - 21 comments
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Why can’t television ads and advertising agencies be ruled out of electoral expenses? Domestic Politics - Valerie Yule - 3 comments
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Blaming Haiti for its problem with trafficking of children and child s*xual slavery ignores the root causes. Law & Liberties - Melati Lum - 16 comments
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To foster community democracy we need to create physical and social environments that encourage people to interact with one another. Society - Kellie Tranter - 11 comments
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Will tough economic times make developed nations shy away from globalisation? International - David Dapice - 6 comments
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Monday, February 22, 2010
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Population growth is no guarantee of economic prosperity: conversely a stable population does not doom a country to economic failure. Domestic Politics - Charles Berger - 54 comments
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One of Pauline Hanson’s parting shots, that Australia is not the land of opportunity, is simply not true. Society - Dilan Thampapillai - 7 comments
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It doesn’t take genius to see Abbott’s modus operandi. He makes far-out statements in the hope that some mud will stick. Domestic Politics - Jennifer Wilson - 34 comments
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For a variety of reasons our inner city CBDs are increasingly perceived as late night danger zones. Society - Anna Daniel - 16 comments
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Labor would be served long term by encouraging hard line unionists to leave their ranks. Domestic Politics - Corin McCarthy - 23 comments
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The lack of equitable burden-sharing in today's NATO and the US-Japan alliance could undermine free trade. International - Bernard Gordon - 2 comments
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Friday, February 19, 2010
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Championing new initiatives to combat the s*xualisation of children in consumer culture. Society - Elizabeth Willmott Harrop - 31 comments
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The entire structure of our society, in addition to technology and language, is all a consequence of human inventions. Religion & Spirituality - David Fisher - 80 comments
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Facts, balance and perspective have been trampled with the campaign to cut and reshape the tax concessions for superannuation. Domestic Politics - Robert Carling - 1 comment
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The way church schools spend their money shows where they stand in relation to the poor and the Gospel. Education - Alan Matheson - 24 comments
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The government's planned rebate of TV licence fees is a great way to line the pockets of foreign equity investors and Australian media moguls. Media - Vincent O'Donnell - 10 comments
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Promoting gastric banding to 14-year-olds means malnutrition and maintenance on the menu. Health - Sarah McMahon - 10 comments
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
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We have become too reliant on China’s appetite for raw materials to fuel its economic expansion. February Feature - Graham Cooke - 11 comments
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If every teacher is a teacher of English, then all teachers across all disciplines must be able to teach English language skills. Education - Elizabeth Grant and Fiona Mueller - 5 comments
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'The Clergy Letter Project': continuing to allow the promotion of an artificial battle between religion and science is bad for both. Religion & Spirituality - Michael Zimmerman - 84 comments
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Capitalism is in decline and this is putting the middle classes into crisis. Society - Chris James - 11 comments
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As the US aims to save the day again in Iraq, the reality is that further underlying issues are being swept under the political rug. International - Bashdar Ismaeel
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In the 1920s and 30s there were almost no women voluntarily performing physical feats which demanded maximum mental stamina. Society - Brian Holden - 58 comments
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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It is a fact that Australian students are extremely weak at maths compared to those in many other countries. Education - John Ridd - 7 comments
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Why do we, and Kevin Rudd, assume it is the obligation of all women to reproduce? Political Philosophy - Nina Funnell - 27 comments
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While young Muslim Australians can positively appreciate Australia as a land of opportunity, Ms Pauline Hanson cannot. Society - Rachel Woodlock - 158 comments
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Developed countries have benefited from China's cheap solar panels and insulation but at what cost to the environment? Environment - Arthur Thomas - 14 comments
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In 'Smile or Die' author Barbara Ehrenreich charts a cultural history of the positive thinking phenomenon in the US. Society - Timothy Watson - 2 comments
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The tens of thousands of pages of taxation rules and regulations demanding compliance are an abomination. December Feature - John McRobert - 6 comments
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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Global warming won't again be the winner for the government that it was in 2007. Domestic Politics - Graham Young - 44 comments
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This year’s Oscar nominations are a parade of propaganda, stereotypes and downright dishonesty. The Arts - John Pilger - 11 comments
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The Australian Senate is a mystery to many citizens. Not many have a clear idea of its role, activities or membership. Domestic Politics - Sylvia Marchant - 10 comments
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Time for government to set standards for broadcasters, publishers, advertisers, retailers and manufacturers to prevent child sexualisation. Society - Emma Rush - 13 comments
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An R18+ classification will allow computer games with more extreme content to be sold and hired out. Law & Liberties - Barbara Biggins - 32 comments
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The ice cap atop Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s most famous glacier. But Africa has other glaciers which are fast disappearing. Environment - Tom Knudson - 5 comments
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Monday, February 15, 2010
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Female chauvinist pigs or sexual self expression: Playboy offers women an entry to the core feminist ideal of sexual self determination. Society - Katie Ellis - 28 comments
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The definition of a green job is highly subjective and can depend on fads and fashions and political correctness. Environment - Ben Lieberman - 9 comments
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Baby boomers' meagre superannuation savings mean more work and less play - time to hit the gym! Society - Helen Lobato - 3 comments
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China's faults are the same as those of the neo-liberal world. February Feature - Barry Sautman and Yan Hairong - 8 comments
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Indigenous Australians need the government to fulfill its international human rights obligations. Indigenous Affairs - Robyn Seth-Purdie - 8 comments
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Jordan’s King Abdullah must show leadership and negotiate with Israel on the sovereignty of the West Bank. International - David Singer - 26 comments
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Friday, February 12, 2010
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Is St Valentine's Day simply a cop-out; a day reserved for Disney, Hallmark and Cadbury? Society - Joel Bevin - 9 comments
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Dog-whistling is different from labelling and stereotyping; it is covert and designed to activate concealed prejudices. Domestic Politics - Ken Macnab - 19 comments
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How does a candidate elected on a wave of popularity achieve anything in office, when their political mandate is built around a few slogans? Political Philosophy - Hugh Jorgensen - 13 comments
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The publication of false claims by the IPCC has been compounded by its imperious attitude. Science & Technology - Mike Hulme - 34 comments
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By what authority does any government permit adults to deny a child a mother AND a father? Law & Liberties - David van Gend - 16 comments
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Why can't we galvanise the same level of empathy to aid not only the victims of natural disasters but of genocide? International - Carla Garapedian - 4 comments
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Thursday, February 11, 2010
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The burqa is a political garment: radical Islamists everywhere make male morality the responsibility of women. Religion & Spirituality - Sadanand Dhume - 13 comments
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Barack Obama appears to lack the will to overcome what domestic opposition remains to move towards normalising relations with Cuba. International - Graham Cooke
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We should be asking the Rudd Government whether the war in Afghanistan is legal under international law. International - Kellie Tranter - 78 comments
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The West must respond to Chinese mercantilism: to do nothing it is to accept the demise of Western influence and the rise of authoritarian China. February Feature - Chris Lewis - 17 comments
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Time and again, when it comes to race, white people dominate the conversation: the view from the other side of the colour barrier. Society - Nazeem Hussain - 85 comments
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The carbon dioxide paradox; or how the greatest hero of life’s history unjustifiably came to be known as public enemy No1. Science & Technology - Pierre Jutras - 27 comments
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