• Health

    Won’t be fooled again


    Michelle Grattan |  October 30, 2024


    A new report warns the public is unlikely to accept a repeat of the costly lockdowns and draconian travel restrictions which characterised the Government’s response to the COVID pandemic.


  • Climate Change

    While the world burns


    Open Forum |  October 30, 2024


    Greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere surged to a new record in 2023, committing the planet to rising temperatures for many years to come, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organization.


  • Society

    Falling jab rates raise concerns


    Open Forum |  October 30, 2024


    Vaccination coverage rates among children in Australia have declined for the third consecutive year according to the latest annual vaccination report from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.


Latest Story

  • Taking a chance on mature-aged workers

    John Kirk     |      February 7, 2011

    Recruiters do not admit to discriminating against mature-aged candidates, however the circumstantial evidence suggests otherwise.

    As someone who has worked with and managed both young workers, including school leavers, and more mature workers (one still working at 83 years of age) I have come to the conclusion that hiring mature workers is a much safer bet than hiring younger people. 

    Mature workers have experience, but most of them also have commitments and family, which tends to make them more stable and conscientious. There are always exceptions to every rule but this is my general experience.

    With this in mind, why is it that workers over the age of 45 have so much trouble finding employment? 

  • When a death wish is desirable

    Neil Batt     |      February 4, 2011

  • Creating flourishing youth provision – what might really work?

    Clive Leach     |      February 4, 2011

    A new paper from the University of Sydney highlights the potential for positive psychology and coaching to enhance youth services and help evidence their effectiveness in increasing wellbeing in young people.

    Have you got kids? Nephews or nieces? Or do you work with young people? Just close your eyes right now and take a minute to think about the young people in your life and what you want for them in the world….

  • Uncategorised

    Hey public service: What have you done for us lately?

    editor     |      February 3, 2011
    James Whelan The Centre for Policy Development (CPD) have recently launched a new public service research program led by James Whelan. To begin with they want to hear what you think about the role of government and public services in your life. TAKE THE CPD SURVEY
  • Creating a movement for positive change

    Ulrike Schuermann     |      February 2, 2011

    The beginning of a new year offers an opportunity for a fresh start full of good intentions.

    2010 marked the beginning of a new decade with great hopes for sustainable development including biodiversity – but – it was not a good year for global sustainable development. It was marked  and marred by an entirely preventable, highly publicised, major environmental disaster and, in the main, a “business as usual” approach.

    It was also marked by increased calls for true sustainability versus the rhetoric of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its various incarnations.

    So what kind of year will 2011 become and be remembered for?

    Will it become known as the year where we galavanise into  positive action? Will it be remembered for a substantial swing towards long term planning?

  • 2010: A Watershed Year for Privacy

    Malcolm Crompton     |      February 1, 2011

    Have all the developments and controversy in the handling of personal information during 2010 produced a long lasting sea change in the global privacy debate?

    At the risk of mixing the aquatic metaphors, in 2010 it seemed that “when it rains, it pours”.  As law makers and regulators around the world scramble to draw up their battle plans, I think it is instructive to take a look at some of the major headlines of last year and their possible influence on the debate.

    When we look back on 2010, it may prove to have been the tipping point in which privacy emerged from the peripheries of public awareness and onto the main stage.  The stories have become too prominent to ignore.  Big companies have been involved in big controversies involving very big breaches of privacy. 

    Here are some of the highlights.

  • Uncategorised

    The latest eHealth news and developments

    editor     |      February 1, 2011

    Dr Mukesh HaikerwalDr Mukesh Haikerwal, Clinical Lead of the National eHealth Transition Authority (NEHTA) writes about the work they are doing to build: a Healthcare Identifiers system, a National Authentication system for health, and the  appropriate e-security systems.

    This key infrastructure is designed to enable benefits such as e-referals, e-discharges, e-specialist letters and e-medication management. Culminating in the introduction of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR) for all Australians.

  • Hot Fractured Rock Geothermal Energy

    John Kirk     |      January 28, 2011

    We should be investing in hot fractured rock geothermal technology.

    Australia has potentially one of the largest fields of geothermal hot fractured rock (HFR) energy available.  The technology is available to drill for this clean energy.

    Surely an investment in the infrastructure required to bring this abundant energy to the national grid would be of long term benefit not only to for our energy requirements but for the reduction of our carbon footprint? 

    I would challenge the big energy and coal companies to look toward investment in this area in the interests of diversifying their businesses away from coal and energy produced by coal. 

     

  • Opposing racism and supporting multiculturalism not the same thing

    Peter Fritz     |      January 28, 2011

  • Learning from the past

    patrickcallioni     |      January 27, 2011

  • Advocating proportional representation instead of single member districts and compulsory preferential voting: Part 1

    Klaas Woldring     |      January 26, 2011

  • Lack of spectrum the elephant in the room this year’s Consumer Electronic Show

    joanneryan     |      January 26, 2011