Helping our island neighbours into space

Involving Pacific Island Nations in Australia and New Zealand’s fast evolving space activities could open income streams and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Jump for joy

Despite the nation’s sporty reputation, Australian children are some of the least active in the world but a cheap new school program may encourage them off the couch and into action.

Private life dramas

Commentators talk about individual privacy as if it is a sacred right which has to be protected but most people have few qualms concerning which organisations access their personal data.

The moral maze

The development of scientific techniques can outpace the legal and ethical boundaries society sets to control them. Where should the line be drawn between the common good and personal rights?

Turning the page on China

This weekend’s G7 leaders’ summit in Cornwall could mark a turning point in the free world’s response to China, replacing a bilateral economic approach with a united strategic vision.

The best of times, the worst of times

Public trust in government increased during the COVID crisis, but the jury is out on whether Coalition support will fall due to bungles in the vaccine rollout.

The start of a new space age

Australians can take pride in their contribution to the first space age in the second half of the 20th century, but effort is needed if we are to optimise our position in this new era.

Batteries included

Community-scale batteries are already achievable in Australia, will complement existing household batteries and will allow more solar energy to be stored in our suburbs, according to analysis from The Australian National University.   

The case for dedicated quarantine facilities

The Federal government has just announced it will help fund the building of a quarantine facility in Victoria, and UNSW academics wonder why it has taken this long.

The power of indigenous data

Government has recognised the importance of Indigenous Data to Closing the Gap, but datasets need to be community-driven and owned if they are to be most effective.

(Not) closing the gap

Gaping policy shortfalls in the Australian Government’s ‘Closing the Gap’ program have seen it fail to reduce disparities in Indigenous health, income, employment, child removal and incarceration, Flinders University researchers say.

Building on reforms to aged care

The Federal budget is a promising step in the right direction, but more is needed to achieve the high standard of aged care Australia has the capacity to provide, and older Australians deserve.