Buy back privatised utilities and infrastructure? What for? Why?

Should state governments buy back privatised utilities and infrastructure? Max Thomas suggests to rather campaign for investing in state-owned renewable energy and other key infrastructure.

Driven to budget distraction

The Australian government has pulled back on planned funding cuts to the automotive industry. Simon Cowan says this is just another capitulation to vested interests two months before a crucial budget.

Indigenous imprisonment in Australia: a crisis of mass incarceration

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rates have been steadily rising and are worse than any time in recent memory. Don Perlgut says this is a national problem that demands a national solution.

Beyond Federation

A group of citizens has been exploring several models without state government under the label “beyond federation”. Klaas Woldring explains who they are and where they want to go.

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.