On Bondi

The Bondi terrorist attack was a brutal assault against Jewish Australians; and the response must make Jewish Australians safer while strengthening, not undermining, the principles of a free society.

Australia let its Jewish citizens down

Anthony Albanese cut a lonely political figure laying a small bunch of flowers at Bondi on Monday morning, as the question confronted the nation: could more have been done by leaders, and the community, to prevent this tragedy?

Into the agora

Athenians understood that democratic speech was both a right and a responsibility, and that the quality of public life depended on the character of its citizens.

Time for change

Do the high-consumption lifestyles enjoyed in the west today violate our ethical obligations to the planet and future generations?

Understanding “social frailty”

New research led by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has found that older adults experiencing social frailty – a lack of social connections, resources and support meet basic needs – face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.

Policy can’t grant what only hearts can give

Truth-telling is an institutional acknowledgment of responsibility. It requires governments to listen, not dictate; to admit wrongdoing, not justify it; and to document harm, rather than obscure it.

The case for veganism

Veganism reduces the animal suffering and environmental footprint associated with food production, making it one of the most effective personal actions for protecting the planet, while also boosting personal health.

Grasp the nettle of tax reform

The Albanese government can sit on its landslide win at the last election and enjoy the opposition’s self-destruction or it can finally grasp the nettle of reform to assure Australia’s future, including rebalancing our income tax system.

The precarious lives of older renters

Older Australians living in private rentals face ever greater housing insecurity, with women bearing the heaviest burden according to new Swinburne research.

The language of conflict

When history is written about the Gaza conflict and other modern wars, it will not matter which flag flew over the rubble, but whether humanity can still see itself in what it has done.

Stuck in the middle

There’s lots of concern about Australia’s youth and older people but Australia’s middle-aged are the engine room of the nation and many risk burnout as financial and family pressures take their toll.

The retirement blind spot

Australia’s superannuation system is at risk of disadvantaging vulnerable members, creating a gap between the legislated promise of dignity and the lived reality of retirement.