A higher pension age will reduce volunteering

Every year about 6 million Australian volunteers chip in more than 500 million hours of unpaid labour but raising the retirement age will reduce people’s ability to contribute their free time and efforts, a Flinders University study warns.

Hysterical history

A long running Twitter thread has unearthed hundreds of unexpected facts and insights from the nation’s academics and historians.

Australia needs a diaspora census

Developing a census-equivalent for the Australian diaspora would help reinforce inclusive citizenship and provide a vital input to future diaspora engagement policies.

Coping with uncertainty

COVID-19, and the measures taken to contain it, have overturned many social norms and there remains great uncertainty over the impact of opening up.

One nation divided under COVID

While policies focused on the immediate issues are important to address the critical challenges facing communities and individuals, we cannot rely on band-aid solutions to provide enduring assistance in these unpredictable times.

Arvanitakis on the war on drugs: why have we failed?

Australia has struggled to control the supply and consumption of cocaine, meth and other hard drugs, but without creative solutions the criminal gangs and terrorist organisations which traffic them will continue to thrive.

Changing notions of social cohesion

Our basis for thinking about social cohesion in Australia continues to be embedded in traditional multiculturalism. It is yet to catch up with the digital world where cyberhate, foreign interference and violent extremism thrive.

Sport for all

Widening the types of sports and participation that are supported and valued in policy and society will mean these benefits are more widely available for all.

Amnesties could help solve Australia’s Covid-related migration shortfall

With Australia’s international borders now almost hermetically sealed, perhaps it’s time to bring the cohort of illegal non-citizens out of the shadows by offering them an amnesty to become full members of our communities.

Future-proofing Australian farming

Opportunities are ripe for Australian farmers to adopt far more environmentally sustainable land management practices, and in the process, safeguard or even expand Australian agricultural exports.

3 keys to healthy ageing

A spot of sunshine, a love of nature, and a desire to make a difference – it’s a simple combination, but together, these three elements could be key to improving physical activity, health, and wellbeing of older Australians.

Early childhood learning through lockdown

Long COVID lockdowns affect children at all stages of the education spectrum, but the Early Start Discovery Space team offers an online program providing high-quality, evidence based early childhood education activities delivered direct to families at home via Zoom.