• 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

  • Uncategorised

    The Play of Life

    Carlos Raimundo     |      October 13, 2008

    How to stop thinking like a crocodile & start feeling like a human being again.

  • Uncategorised

    Playing it Safe as Houses

    sally.rose     |      October 12, 2008

    It's generally accepted that you shouldn't buy a new dress on credit if you really can't afford it, so why do we throw such sound logic out when there are a few more zeroes on the end of the price tag and the question is a whole lot more important?

  • Is rationality returning to the official debate over the “war on terrorism”?

    Malcolm Crompton     |      October 11, 2008

    The debate has been long on rhetoric and short on cold, hard analysis.  But it may be about to improve.

  • Uncategorised

    Talk Openly: Better Regulation Forum with special guest blogger, The Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP

    editor     |      October 9, 2008

    Minister TannerFrom 13-17 October Open Forum hosted The Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, in an online discussion forum on Better Regulation. Thanks to everyone who participated, some quality ideas were shared. See for yourself how the Minister responded to such comments as "Case study: Regulating to distroy innovation and add cost" (Charles on energy regulation in Victoria), "The Minister may consider the use of Web2 technologies" (Victor Perton on reducing the cost of policy input) or Russell Yardley's idea of a small business wikipedia of everyday practical problems.

  • Uncategorised

    Better Regulation – There’s always room for improvement

    Hon. Lindsay Tanner     |      October 8, 2008

    A bottom up approach – the start of which is simply listening to those who are affected by regulation on a day to day basis – can help limit the costs and improve the effectiveness of regulation.

  • Uncategorised

    Future Fund could do some heavy lifting at home

    Chris Lamont     |      October 8, 2008

    Using the Future Fund to create an institutional market for residential investment would provide assistance to the more than 600,000 households in rent stress and bolster the stock of affordable rental accommodation in Australia.

    The Future Fund established in 2006 was established to meet the cost of public sector superannuation liabilities, however, it could also be used to help those battling rent stress.

    The Fund could be used to create an institutional market for residential investment that would provide assistance to the more than 600,000 households in rent stress and bolster the stock of affordable rental accommodation in Australia. 

  • Uncategorised

    Partnering & Sustainable Development

    Sean.Rooney     |      October 8, 2008

    Building on its research experience in supporting community scale sustainable development, CSIRO brings together business, governments, NGOs and communities in a partnership initiative to focus on creating a more sustainable Australia.

    Australian communities are facing an unprecedented suite of sustainability challenges. CSIRO recognises these challenges are complex and multi-dimensional in both origins and solutions. No one sector – private, public or community – has the all answers or the ability to respond to these challenges in isolation. Effective solutions lie in integrating skills, knowledge, resources and passion from across the sectors.

  • Uncategorised

    Is Renting Becoming a Full-Time Job?

    sally.rose     |      October 6, 2008

    Has renting got so complicated that it's time to call in some professional help?

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    Selected lines from Time-Line-English Poetry

    foggy     |      October 3, 2008

     (ALSO READ THE SECOND ARTICLE BELOW)                                                                                                     Excerpt;

    63 Lo!Where the heath,with withering brake grown o’er,

    Lends the light turf that warms the neighbouring poor …

    Excerpt;

    63 Lo!Where the heath,with withering brake grown o’er,

    Lends the light turf that warms the neighbouring poor,

    From thence a length of burning sand appears,

  • Uncategorised

    Paid maternity leave from a small business owner’s point of view

    Richard Knuppe     |      October 3, 2008

    There has to be an element of "user pays", otherwise, the system will be ripe for abuse.

    I’m not a massive believer in mandatory paid maternity leave. And I definitely think it should be restricted. The suggestion of 12 months is too long.

    I don’t believe in handouts generally. In the case of maternity leave, I disagree with the attitude that just because you want to have a baby that you should expect the government to support you. 

    Something I find really immoral is when women choose a new employer based on the fact that they know after a certain period of time they will become eligible for paid maternity leave. Not disclosing your intentions when you plan to need leave after 6months is wrong.

  • 3 Excellencies

    Keith.Besgrove     |      October 3, 2008

    Governments should be concerned about ensuring that there are consumer protections around privacy, around fraud, and around measures to give consumers confidence.

  • Uncategorised

    Gen X not unreasonable

    Chris Lamont     |      October 2, 2008

    When it comes to housing affordability, Gen X is clearly short changed. Bagged in the media for being unrealistic in terms of housing expectations, it is quite revealing to go back twenty years to compare the plight of Gen X with that of their parents.