The worries of young Australians

A new report by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre has revealed that young Australians are feeling the squeeze from financial pressures, worsening mental health and declining trust in political institutions, with concerns about the cost of living now topping their list of priorities.

Defining antisemitism

Australian Jews have suffered a sharp increase in antisemitic attacks and vilification since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, unfortunately, Australia’s universities have struggled to even define antisemitism, let alone banish it from their campuses.

The measure of a man

Open Forum’s poet laureate offers powerful critique of toxic masculinity and calls for a more nurturing, emotionally intelligent understanding of what it means to be a man – one based on inner strength and virtue rather than external displays of power.

Amusing ourselves to death

Forty years ago, Neil Postman warned that we were entering a brave new world in which people enslaved themselves to television and technology-driven entertainment, and in this age of social media and AI, his book seems more prescient than ever.

Mapping civic journeys

Although Australia has a strong and proud democracy, it nonetheless faces important challenges, including youth democratic engagement and civics education, so what should be done?

AI slop on the menu

A new industry report has found audiences and journalists are growing increasingly concerned by generative artificial intelligence in journalism. Australian researchers say the potential of AI-generated or edited content to mislead or deceive is of most concern.

Boosting science investment

Australia’s leading scientists are calling on the Australian Government to urgently invest in the nation’s supercomputing capability and boost science and mathematics education as critical priorities of the 2025–26 Budget.

National security is the government’s job

After bowing to the opposition on mandatory minimum sentences, the Australian government needs to reestablish its leadership in national security.

Working towards wellbeing

Bold policy shifts are needed to get Australia’s falling social, economic and environmental wellbeing back on track, according to new modelling from Monash University.

High on data

As more Australian jurisdictions begin drug checking trials at festivals and in the community, experts are exploring how the data could reach more people to minimise harm.

Confronting anti-semitic terrorism in Australia

The spate of attacks on Jewish people and properties in Australian cities, and the threat of an even more serious terrorist atrocity in the future, demands a firm and coordinated response from the Australian people, as well as its government, police and security services.

Stepping up on antisemitism

The federal government needs to lead a national debate on tackling the alarming rise of antisemitism in Australia and the spate of attacks on cars, buildings and schools in Sydney and Melbourne.