International Women’s Day: a time to recognise, celebrate and join forces for positive change

This year’s International Women’s Day marked the 40^th anniversary since the United Nation’s first celebrated this event. Tom Baxter, CEO of Ostara Australia, says we should recognise the barriers that can make it even harder for women to achieve their dreams and celebrate the people and organisations that help women to overcome those barriers.

Upgrading our debate on disability, welfare and jobs

The government has released its final report of the review into the Australian Welfare system. Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia, says too many Australians with disability are still locked out of the labour market.

Do only the wicked need fear government spying?

The Federal Government wants the controversial Metadata Retention bill passed as soon as possible. Leading up to an IQ2 debate on the subject, Simon Longstaff discusses what amount of liberty (if any) we should sacrifice in order to be safe.

What are the effects of coal seam gas on the health of Queenslanders?

A leading health organisation is backing calls for a royal commission into the impact of coal seam gas mining on the people of Queensland. Dr David Shearman from Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) urges the new Government to protect the current and future health of Queenslanders.

Join the debate on security and privacy

The proposition is ‘Only the wicked need fear government spying’ on 31 March in Sydney at the first IQ2 debate of 2015.

Children in immigration detention: government sanctioned child abuse?

Tony Abbott has rejected the Australian Human Rights Commission report on children in immigration detention as ‘blatantly partisan’. Angela Beresford says it’s obvious that the government is out of touch with society and reality.

‘Coup-culture’ undermines Australian democracy

Focusing on the leader, rather than the government, is undermining our democratic standards and fostering a deeper cynicism about politics. Dr Troy Whitford says we need to make sure the voter is central to changes.

After the leadership spill a difficult task lies ahead for Tony Abbott

Prime Minister Tony Abbott narrowly avoided a leadership spill on Monday. Associate professor in political science Dominic O’Sullivan analyses the main political problems the Prime Minister is facing now.

We don’t need better politicians, we need a better system

How many of you have an interest in politics and have become disillusioned by the current political narrative? Manuela Epstein is part of the newDemocracy Foundation and says transparency is the key to a successful reform process.

Lucky country needs to make our own luck

Tony Abbott’s error of judgement with his ‘knights and dames’ got us talking about how modern Australia has changed. David Morris looks back on our history and says we need to make our own luck as we always have.

Terrorism, surveillance and intelligence: The next 5 years

Surveillance has become a dirty word since the Snowden leaks. Intelligence and security expert Dr Patrick Walsh says it’s simplistic to merely talk about a balance between privacy and security and argues that democratic states now need surveillance and intelligence more than ever.

Lady budgets: An explainer

Tony Abbott keeps finding himself the subject of attention of the wrong kind. Kate Galloway explains how the Prime Minister caused embarrassment when talking about his biggest achievement as Minister for Women.