The need for global cyber security law reform

Cybercrime can move across the globe in an instant and disappear again without a trace. David Coleman says any law reform will need to balance cyber security and privacy.

Let them in now!

A positive image of Germany dominates the media as desperate Syrian asylum seekers are streaming into the country. Antje Missbach says while  Germany is congratulating itself on its newly adopted kind-heartedness, the next weeks and months will show whether the friendly receptions on the train stations will persist.

Liberal versus Labor in the wars of corruption

The former judge Dyson Heydon insists on his decision not to stand aside from the royal commission into trade unions after he agreed to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser. Jason Cavallaro questions the Labor Party’s motives in continuing to seek his removal.

Hanging on in quiet desperation

In Britain, over 100 MPs are already practicing mindfulness, and the concept is currently being rolled out to the 2,000 staff in parliament. Leah Sparkes is hopeful that Canberra is listening.

NDIS delayed is NDIS denied

Some suggest to stop or slow down the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Craig Wallace says this would spark an unprecedented outrage as people with disability, families and carers have already waited 40 years for help.

The future of manufacturing and its implications for government industry policy

Manufacturing is critical for the creation of prosperity in any nation. Göran Roos explains how productivity improvements will change our employment landscape.

5 things to remember when you hear politicians take credit for ‘job creation’

Every time the Australian Bureau of Statistics releases its monthly figures for unemployment rate and employment growth, both sides on politics tend to jump on these numbers immediately. Ben Phillips from the University of Canberra says there's a better way to interpret job data.

A share in public authority for indigenous peoples

If we are prepared to accept the ethnic discrepancies in our health system, what does this say about our conceptions of justice and the values we hold? Dominic O’Sullivan says we need political arrangements that allow indigenous peoples to be included, not merely consulted, in policy development.

Establishing a consensus of what’s fair and reasonable for all

Probably no politician would explicitly advocate unfairness – but what exactly is fair, just and equitable? Dr Neil Byron says we need a broad-based discussion of what we want our society, economy and environment to look like in the next 50 years.

Digital solutions in an accountable democracy: Tools for empowerment or exclusion?

Having access to information in principle is not the same as equality of access in practice. Dr Rebecca Rumbul, Head of Research at mySociety, wants to hear your ideas on how to engage a more diverse community in using online tools to exercise an enhanced democracy.

The status of Australia’s compliance with the Refugee Convention

In recent months, a situation which may amount to genocide with the Roingya in Myanmar has emerged. David Coleman says the status of Australia's compliance with the Refugee Convention is in crisis.

A vision for Australian democracy

Australians feel increasingly disenchanted with the political system. Bede Harris says change can only occur if Australians overcome their political apathy and aversion to constitutional change and take the initiative to demand electoral reform.