Have your say on big data and privacy

You’ve got until 26 July 2016 to comment on the draft Guide to big data and the Australian Privacy Principles. It’s your chance to have your say on a topic with enormous social and economic impact.

People with disabilities and politics

Voting is a democratic right that should be accessible to anyone. Cheryl McDonnell says people with disabilities need more support to participate fully in political events like the upcoming federal elections.

Liberty is the highest political end

If the pinnacle of government is liberty, then surely this includes the freedom to speak and ask questions. Cheryl McDonnell urges us to stand up for people like Duncan Storrar, because the next liberty to be taken might well be our own.

Silencing democracy – the media and Duncan Storrar

A group of disabled peoples organisations, not for profits, community leaders, Human Rights lawyers, unions and commentators on civic participation have issued a Statement of Concern about the media treatment of Duncan Storrar after asking a question as an audience member on the ABC television program Q&A. Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia, explains.

Your chance to comment on NSW strata law reform

You’ve got until 27 May 2016 to have your say on NSW’s proposed strata regulations. The reforms will affect some 2 million industry professionals.

It is time to put animals on the political agenda

Animal welfare is a serious public policy issue, but so far Australia falls well behind other nations when it comes to how we treat our animals. Elise Burgess from animal protection institute Voiceless says it’s time to give animals a political voice and ensure their interests are put on the national agenda.

A new way of thinking about work injuries

GAP will be hosting a strategic roundtable on 5 May at NSW Parliament House in Sydney to discuss the health benefits of work, early intervention and how to improve the recovery rates for injured employees.

Justice reform strategy

Australian courts are in meltdown with long waiting times, old technology and dysfunctional rules and processes. Dr David Thorp says our justice system needs a fundamental reform, and here he explains how it can be done.

Early election ultimatum

It seems unlikely that the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill will pass the Senate, and Australia might well be faced with a double dissolution election on 2 July. Political scientist Dominic O’Sullivan says both the ALP and the Coalition now need to develop a coherent strategy.

Beyond Federation: An educational and informative multi-question plebiscite?

Why should the public only be questioned on the one topic of same sex marriage, if we could cover a whole range of issues at the same time? Klaas Woldring can’t think of a more direct form of democracy.

Time for NDIS critics to show their cards

There have been comments from the business sector that the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) should be slowed down. President of People with Disability Australia, Craig Wallace, says if the Business Council of Australia really thinks that Australians with disability and families shouldn't get reasonable and necessary support, it should have the courage and integrity to say so.

Reforming the Senate voting system

The Turnbull Government has proposed to overhaul the current Senate voting system. Is this a cynical power grab or a step towards more democratic transparency? Political scientist Dominic O’Sullivan makes the case for taking the reform even further.