Thursday, July 29, 2010
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A 'Citizens' Assembly' could be the single worst idea ever floated by an elected government in a federal election. Domestic Politics - Richard Denniss - 27 comments
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Preference deals rarely signify private policy deals. They are about win-win electoral benefits. Domestic Politics - John Warhurst - 7 comments
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Israel and Palestine: Yasser Arafat ignored an olive branch 10 years ago and nothing has changed. International - Bren Carlill - 6 comments
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If the 21st century is to be an Asian century it's important for there to be peace and tranquility between the giants - India and China. International - Rupakjyoti Borah - 2 comments
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Last week Australia was told, for the first time in a decade of subterfuge, that the privatisation of water is the aim 'moving forward'. Environment - Bernard Eddy - 25 comments
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If carbon is not priced, there will be penalties, namely the very serious effects of carbon emissions on global warming. Environment - John Le Mesurier - 15 comments
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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The conspiracy of silence about the war in Afghanistan must end. Domestic Politics - Kellie Tranter - 5 comments
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Hobson's choice! Sunday night's leadership debate proved that Australian voters aren't hoping for a third option, but a second one. Domestic Politics - Aaron Nielsen - 31 comments
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard is a serial hit and run driver who is hoping to convince us not to look at her past driving record. Domestic Politics - Dennis Jensen - 34 comments
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The corporate conquest of our kitchens is underway; food is political. Society - Michael Green - 4 comments
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Aid agencies can help the media report humanitarian crises by feeding information to journalists that is newsworthy and timely. International - Ian Woolverton
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Traditional medical cultures need a true partnership with modern medicine. Health - Bhushan Patwardhan, Gerard Bodeker and Darshan Shankar - 10 comments
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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Julia Gillard is going to win. But that doesn’t mean that Tony Abbott can’t be a winner too. Domestic Politics - Graham Young - 21 comments
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Next month the Pacific Islands Forum will meet in Vanuatu: but Australia will not be represented by our government. Why? Domestic Politics - Julie Bishop - 5 comments
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The final election result may well be harder to call than the headline polling figures suggest. Domestic Politics - Andrew Bartlett
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More political rhetoric? Or a Prime Minister with the courage to tackle climate change and global warming? Environment - Del Weston - 16 comments
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In terms of effectiveness and efficiency, a price on carbon emissions is the way to go. Environment - Geoff Carmody - 16 comments
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To many Australians the image of Jayant Patel, an overseas trained doctor, automatically creates fear. Health - Tanveer Ahmed - 19 comments
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Monday, July 26, 2010
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Thatcher was a less than average Prime Minister who got lucky: Julia Gillard should do everything to avoid stepping into her mould. Domestic Politics - Graham Cooke - 20 comments
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It's unlikely Bob Hawke’s ambitions would have been fulfilled without Hazel's loyalty. She's not someone to be cursorily dismissed from history. Domestic Politics - Patricia Edgar - 4 comments
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Secularism holds that a person’s religious belief or lack of same is no business of the government. Religion & Spirituality - David Fisher - 50 comments
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Young people have most to lose when it comes to climate change; and most to gain from strong, immediate action. Domestic Politics - Sophie Trevitt - 22 comments
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A simmering dispute between Egypt and upstream African nations over who owns the waters of the Nile is heating up. International - Fred Pearce - 5 comments
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Even the most rejected and desperate individual still has one little domain of sovereignty: his or her physical being. Society - Colin Tatz - 13 comments
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Friday, July 23, 2010
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'The Order of Mates' in Australian political life unites the Labor Party with the rich elite known as the big end of town. Domestic Politics - John Pilger - 25 comments
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Whichever political party dares to play the nuclear energy card could win the election. Domestic Politics - Phil Sawyer - 47 comments
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There can be no freedom of thought without the right to be sceptical. On climate change or anything else. Environment - Malcolm King - 104 comments
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Requiring people to save receipts and fill in copious documents will not help them access financial support, education-related or otherwise. Society - Gerard Brody - 9 comments
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When Winston Churchill spoke of a 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' he may well have been describing the Tasmanian fox incursion. Science & Technology - Clive Marks - 6 comments
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Rats in the ranks? The Melbourne Storm and Rugby League’s salary cap scandal. Sport - Brett Hutchins
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Thursday, July 22, 2010
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Abbott and Gillard should stand up and move forward, leaving behind the cheap shots. Domestic Politics - Neil Lawrence - 25 comments
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Would the Greens ever block supply? Given the party could hold the balance of power in the Senate next year it is a fair question. Domestic Politics - Greg Barns - 11 comments
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Peter Garrett's Resale Royalty Scheme will adversely affect all artists, as will the new rules for Self Managed Super Funds. The Arts - Michael Eather - 3 comments
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If the ALP wins government, Australians will have endorsed the right of non-elected interests and party factions to decide who will be PM. Domestic Politics - Jennifer Wilson - 27 comments
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The recent bombings in Kampala were a calculated move to provoke Uganda and Burundi into leaving Somalia. International - David Fisher - 7 comments
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China displays new willingness to exert global leverage. International - Bruce Stokes - 3 comments
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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There are many dimensions to the immigration debate. Domestic Politics - Zareh Ghazarian - 69 comments
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The legacy of disgraced surgeon Dr Jayant Patel continues to loom over Queensland. Law & Liberties - Kevin Barratt
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Kevin07 couldn’t possibly have foreseen the tsunami-like wave of opposition from voters and his own party that was about to wallop him. Domestic Politics - Stephen Hagan - 7 comments
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The Australian Cricket Board erred in its judgment by nominating John Howard for the Vice President of the International Cricket Council. Society - Rohit Revo - 11 comments
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America’s national security should not be a sacrificial lamb to better ties between Moscow and Washington. International - Peter Brookes and Owen Graham - 1 comment
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If you are interested in accessing a unique type of sports media communication, get a Twitter profile now. Media - Brett Hutchins
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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Now more than ever Julia Gillard cannot afford to be seen as sitting on her hands on the critical issue of climate change. Domestic Politics - Ramya Krishnan - 27 comments
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All evidence points to the fact 1.4 million Australians are missing from the roll and will be unable to vote. Domestic Politics - George Williams - 26 comments
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Why do we need an election? No matter who is elected presumably we can rely on miners to take good care of us. Economics - Gavin Mooney - 7 comments
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A new underground rail line for Brisbane could be the sort of infrastructure initiative which costs the community a great deal. Nation Building - Ross Elliott - 4 comments
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Regardless of the spin, there are clear warnings to treat data from China with the credibility it deserves. Economics - Arthur Thomas - 4 comments
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Contrary to what one hears from the PC crowd today, unity - not diversity - is the key to America's greatness. Society - Chuck Baldwin - 13 comments
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Monday, July 19, 2010
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Increasing the quota of skilled migrants is not in the best interests of Australia in the long run. Society - Cameron Murray - 14 comments
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Marriage has long been enshrined in patriarchal and religious values that have done nothing to improve the lot of women. Society - Samantha Stevenson - 136 comments
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You can make a greater difference to carbon emissions by wisely choosing what to eat rather than worrying about where it came from. Environment - Alan Davies - 13 comments
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What type of messages will girls be exposed to if they tune in this year to 'Australia's Next Top Model'? Society - Dannielle Miller - 4 comments
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While India does not command the same respect and praise as China, its economy has been growing at China-like rates since 1992. International - John Lee - 3 comments
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Any notion of returning to our past treatment of refugees in Nauru must be taken off the table by both major parties in Australia. Domestic Politics - Susan Metcalfe - 46 comments
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Friday, July 16, 2010
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The Labor Government’s home insulation scheme beggars belief in terms of wastage of resources and lack of regard for safety warnings. Domestic Politics - Chris Lewis - 49 comments
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Children, especially male children, need to learn about risk and daring. July Feature - Boris Johnson - 7 comments
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Julia Gillard is an insubstantial leader of a major Australian political party, created by circumstances. Domestic Politics - Geoff Robinson - 20 comments
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Rudd has paid the price for bad policy, but others shouldn't be able to get away with it. Economics - Alan Moran
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The advent of the Republican Democrats means there could be a third mainstream political force in Australia. Domestic Politics - Peter Pyke - 49 comments
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Without a doubt education is a turbulent mess in Australia, for which we can thank Julia Gillard. Education - Phil Cullen - 32 comments
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Thursday, July 15, 2010
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The major political parties can't offer any sensible, rational, factual or logical explanation for remaining in Afghanistan. Domestic Politics - Kellie Tranter - 35 comments
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The surest sign of a warming Earth is the steady melting of its ice zones, from disappearing sea ice to shrinking glaciers. Science & Technology - Michael Lemonick - 17 comments
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A week in the American news - and all that seemed to happen was LeBron James making a decision about which NBA team to join. Media - Walt Brasch
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Global brands like Starbucks have to contend with a reinvigorated appreciation for the local. International - Bryant Simon - 16 comments
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What defines an activity as a sport? Is playing virtual sport a sport? Sport - Dennis Hemphill - 17 comments
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Nanotechnology's potential to improve public health will be maximised only with an environment conducive to its development. Science & Technology - Jayashree Vivekanandan - 4 comments
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Americans and Australians are being advised very differently when it comes to their alcohol consumption. Society - Stanton Peele - 3 comments
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China has had an historic lack of transparency, misinformation and concealment especially in its banking industry. International - Arthur Thomas - 10 comments
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Nimbin: there are too many newspapers whose reporters and editors won’t let the facts spoil a good story. Media - Graham Irvine - 15 comments
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Many energy experts contend natural gas is the ideal fuel as the world makes the transition to renewable energy. Science & Technology - Daniel Botkin - 3 comments
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Book review: 'Men’s Health and Wellbeing: An A-Z Guide' fills a gap on our bookshelves with some sound advice for men. Society - Peter West - 31 comments
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'All you need is a pencil …' and courage to be an art teacher in the 21st century. The Arts - Jane Gooding-Brown - 10 comments
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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In the words of the late Don Chipp, we need some 'kindness, generosity and wisdom' to achieve a bipartisan policy outcome for asylum seekers. Domestic Politics - Dino Cesta - 20 comments
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We have 50,000 people living illegally in Australia. What is Julia Gillard going to do about them? Society - Jennifer Wilson - 116 comments
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Many Australians would be shocked that Australia is still seen as a racist nation. June Feature - Peter Kell - 41 comments
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Both the hijab and the disgraceful practice of genital mutilation illustrate the complex interaction between ancestral cultures, the West and religion. Society - Tanveer Ahmed - 17 comments
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Decentralisation is clearly necessary if Australia is to unclog its capital cities and utilise the infrastructure available in the regions. Domestic Politics - Bryan Kavanagh - 9 comments
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Not all infrastructure projects, such as toll roads, tunnels and rail, are guaranteed to deliver a motza. Nation Building - Alan Davies - 1 comment
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Monday, July 12, 2010
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A 'What the People Want' poll finds the refugee story encapsulates some of the themes that underlie the two sides of Australian political debate. Political Philosophy - Graham Young - 115 comments
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Both population and consumption are parts of the problem - neither can be ignored and both are exacerbating the human impact on Earth. Society - Gary Peters - 25 comments
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Australia's first woman Prime Minister is unusual in more ways than one: feminists are cautiously optimistic. Domestic Politics - Susan Hawthorne - 19 comments
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The Pentagon reportedly spends $4.7 billion on public relations to win the hearts and minds of Americans. Media - John Pilger - 7 comments
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We must not allow our schools to be agents for any social and academic apartheid. Education - Chris Bonnor - 2 comments
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'Just as we don’t expect buskers to be great musicians, it turns out that people enjoy coffee more if it’s served in a stylish mug ...' Society - Andrew Leigh - 4 comments
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Friday, July 9, 2010
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Do the ill-conceived 'Orwellian' regulations of our national parks actually protect our environment and biodiversity? Law & Liberties - Ross Barnett - 33 comments
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The death of Khalid Saeed at the hands of the police has left Egyptians simmering in frustration with their government. Law & Liberties - Amro Ali
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Charles Zentai and the extradition request by Hungary for him to face questioning over war crimes: after 70 years, is justice possible? Law & Liberties - Jonathan J. Ariel - 11 comments
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The transition from fossil fuels requires united global action - and some US leadership. Environment - Ann Florini - 12 comments
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Arabs, Jews, Muslims and all the other ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East should co-operate to find peace. International - Alice Aslan - 23 comments
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In a world where risk has been managed almost out of existence people often mislabel endurance as bravery. July Feature - Brian Holden - 8 comments
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Thursday, July 8, 2010
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As Labor luminary Graham Richardson put it so succinctly, Labor will do 'whatever it takes' to retain power. Domestic Politics - Julie Bishop - 29 comments
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Climate change is a defining issue for many members of Generation Y. Politicians will ignore them at their peril. Domestic Politics - Lucy Manne - 25 comments
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To win votes the Greens should declare themselves for what they are: a secular party in everything but name. Domestic Politics - Max Wallace - 31 comments
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Don’t look now but gangs of muscle-jawed lawyers long ago left the law, took to politics, and have run the country for the past 14 years. Domestic Politics - Tim O'Dwyer - 28 comments
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The Income Management bill is the first step in introducing a national welfare quarantining scheme. Society - Joel Tozer - 12 comments
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It is disappointing to many Australians that Julia Gillard believes only opposite-sex partners should be allowed to marry. Law & Liberties - Rodney Croome - 90 comments
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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The ABC should be accountable for the social, economic, and political damage caused by a poorly researched episode of 'Australian Story'. Media - Mark Poynter - 25 comments
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Links between the Ku Klux Klan, a teacher, his pupil and a murder raise some serious questions about racism in some of our schools. Society - Stephen Hagan - 11 comments
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Comments that target a woman for how she looks, rather than her ideas, are designed just to shut her up. Society - Dannielle Miller - 26 comments
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While prudence is a good thing, we must understand that the quest for absolute security robs us of the essence of life. July Feature - Peter Sellick - 8 comments
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How little John Howard learnt or understood from his time as PM. And Gillard, like Rudd, takes us for fools. Political Philosophy - Bruce Haigh - 32 comments
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If the PA dissolves itself in December, it could mean Jordan becoming Israel’s negotiating partner on the future of the West Bank. International - David Singer - 5 comments
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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The recent oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico could be an energy game changer. Science & Technology - Martin Nicholson - 19 comments
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The right to health is the equal entitlement of all persons but, in Australia, some enjoy the right more equally than others. Indigenous Affairs - Stephen Keim and Katherine McGree - 21 comments
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Another week in the Australian Football League, and another controversial issue. Sport - Dennis Hemphill - 5 comments
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The Yalu River bridge: yesterday a link between brother communist countries; today it divides capitalist China from communist Korea. International - Brian Hennessy - 2 comments
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Further interest rate rises will be needed, but not when the world is facing a double dip. Economics - Henry Thornton
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Our legal system has failed to heed the injustices that have occurred with the speculations surrounding munchausen syndrome by proxy. Law & Liberties - Michael Nott - 5 comments
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Monday, July 5, 2010
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The issue of asylum seekers has weighed on the conscience of Australians for a long time now. Law & Liberties - Stephen Austin - 52 comments
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Busting the myth of progress is a precursor to changing industrial civilisations' current unsustainable path. Science & Technology - Cameron Leckie - 17 comments
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There should be a wall of separation between the religious proselytising ambitions of church recruiters and our children. Education - The Australian Secular Lobby - 77 comments
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Can Greens maintain their ascendancy in the seat of Melbourne after the resignation of Lindsay Tanner? Domestic Politics - Nick Economou
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New 'Body Image Code': it’s a start, but sexualisation and objectification still rule. Society - Melinda Tankard Reist - 20 comments
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What is the cost of discouraging adventure? July Feature - Peter Tapsell - 8 comments
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Friday, July 2, 2010
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Moral outrage over Uluru finds the wrong target. Indigenous Affairs - Ross Barnett - 49 comments
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There are mixed messages for Australia’s foreign policy with the advent of the new Gillard Government. Domestic Politics - Graham Cooke - 6 comments
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Religion, especially Christianity, is not essential to the teaching and development of a sound ethical sense. Education - Glen Coulton - 104 comments
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There is a high cost to 'cheap': it takes strength to resist buying cheap, disposable, consumer goods. Society - Brian Holden - 19 comments
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A major reason for an Australian republic is to aid the further development of a distinct and unique Australian identity. Society - David Donovan - 15 comments
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Constitutional monarchy is about having a figurehead above politics, who doesn't have to win the transient favour of voters or politicians. Political Philosophy - Nigel Morris - 8 comments
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Thursday, July 1, 2010
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What is the distinction between euthanasia and withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining measures? Law & Liberties - Andrew McGee - 32 comments
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The Israeli Lobby in San Francisco, Stand With Us, hopes to transform the image of Israel on US campuses. International - Binoy Kampmark - 12 comments
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Voters would respect politicians more if they were honest about the cost of their policies. Economics - Geoff Carmody - 6 comments
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Export levies on raw materials have many advantages over a mining 'super' profits tax. Economics - John Reid - 6 comments
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Many experts argue that the time has come to adopt an Arctic Treaty similar to the one that has safeguarded Antarctica. Environment - Ed Struzik
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There is such a thing as treason, and selling away our life-blood is one of them: water must remain in public ownership. Environment - Valerie Yule - 3 comments
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