Fact checking isn’t the answer to ‘post truth’ politics

Democracy is a living reminder that truths are never self-evident, and that what counts as truth is a matter of interpretation. Recognising that in political life “truth has a despotic character”, democracy stands for a world beyond truth and post-truth.

Huntington redux? A new era of civilisational politics

A quarter of a century after Samuel Huntington published ‘The Clash of Civilisations’, the issue has returned to the world stage with a vengeance. However the issue can be a Pandora’s box and, once released, the idea of cultural incompatibility can be very difficult to contain.

Don’t shoot the messenger when confronted with inconvenient ideas

To make progress, we will need to reboot our thinking. We need to focus on evidence and arguments, and on ordinary fairness and compassion to others, even when we disagree.

Servant or partner? The role of expertise in our democracy

Should expert knowledge be limited to providing a servant role in a free society, or elevated to that of a partner? Darrin Durant, a lecturer at Melbourne University, examines the tension between democracy and technocracy.

Harmony Day – Everyday ways to reduce racial discrimination

March 21st is Harmony Day, a day for both adults and children to celebrate Australia’s diversity and encourage acceptance and understanding across the whole community.

The heartbreak behind Australia’s first gay marriage

While Queensland’s first gay wedding was tinged with tragedy as well as triumph, the state is making further changes to the law to accommodate diversity.

Women press for progress around the world

To mark International Women’s Day, and in the wake of the #metoo campaign, a new global study by Ipsos across 27 countries – “Global Misperceptions of Equality and the Need to Press for Progress” – highlights a range of equality issues, with sexual harassment topping the list. 

Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Max Thomas makes an impassioned plea for rational debate and enlightened leadership to tackle the pressing economic and environmental problems of our time.

Legal parentage and surrogacy – more inconsistency?

Confusion around legal parentage and surrogacy arrangements is continuing to cause conflict between Australian domestic public policy in relation to ‘commercial surrogacy’ and the child’s best interests. UWS law lecturer Dr Cressida Limon explores recent developments.

Changing the culture around alcohol and sexual assault by talking about consent

The issue of consent is not an easy area to deal with from a parenting perspective. Expert in drug and alcohol education Paul Dillon shares his advice on ways parents can clearly explain to their teenagers what constitutes consent.

Paid Parental Leave for foster and kinship parents

A gap in the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme means that foster and kinship parents are ineligible for payments. Foster carer and PPL advocate Kylie Cutting explains how extending the scheme could leader to better outcomes for vulnerable children.

Opportunity knocks for Australian MSEs in Asia

The rapidly expanding Asian economy offers unprecedented opportunity for Australia’s mid-sized enterprises. Valentin Henrio considers the possibilities.