‘The Zero Marginal Cost Society’ – a review

Jeremy Rifkin has written a book discussing the trend in many fields toward zero or near-zero costs brought about by the so-called prosumer revolution, where consumers become producers as well. Ian McAuley says it is the book Karl Marx may have written today.

What the G20 didn’t mention!

The G20 in Brisbane ended on Sunday with ‘Global Value Chains’ (GVCs) hailed as the silver bullet. Barney Foran has some words of caution for Team Australia.

Building a better mechanism for democratic engagement

Democracy is still a better form of government than all the other forms that have been tried so far. Fergus Neilson from THE FUTURES PROJECT therefore invites you to actively get involved and take part in an online social engagement enquiry into energy security and affordability.

My Chance, Our Future

The Australian unemployment rate for 15 to 24 year olds has reached 14 % in October. Jo Buick explains how the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s campaign is raising awareness about this alarming figure.

Redefining growth

The Group of 20 (G20) is meeting in Brisbane this week to discuss the global economy. William Bourke says we should focus less on the GDP and instead look at real progress indicators like high employment, a diverse economic base and sustainable resource management.

Debunking myths about jobs and disabilities

Minister for Employment Eric Abetz recently said that improving job opportunities for people with disabilities was a major priority for the Australian Government. Tom Baxter, CEO of not-for-profit organisation Ostara Australia, challenges all Australian employers to give people with a disability a go.

Creating a good society, a better society or a more civil society?

Do we have a healthy balance between the state, the market and the community? Sociologist and activist Eva Cox says we need to work on how to restore government and community power to avoid dire consequences for our society.

Financial technology and the consumer revolution can help find better financial advice

The pressure has been rising for more consumer-friendly ways to navigate financial advice. Christopher Zinn has launched Adviser Ratings to help consumers find the planner they need.

Ending age of entitlement – resources under threat yet again

While he was in opposition in 2012, the then-shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey had promised to end ‘the age of entitlement’ in Australia. Laurence Strano says this raises the question of where to start.

What happened to our retirement?

Australians born after 1965 will have to work until they are 70 years old. Nicole Orr says we need a greater understanding of the secondary effects this will have on the individual, the economy and the communities of Australia.

Community services for children or commercial economic services for GDP?

The Government has asked the Productivity Commission for a public inquiry into future options for childcare and early childhood learning. Social and political researcher Eva Cox explains why she is critical of the recommendations in the draft report.

Keep the Renewable Energy Target

A government-commissioned review has recommended scaling back the Renewable Energy Target (RET). Professor Kevin Parton, an expert in the economics of climate change policy, believes this would be a mistake.