One Nation romps home in Farrer

One Nation’s storming victory in the Farrer by-election has fired up the insurgent party and cast fresh doubts over the future of the beleaguered Liberal Party.

No money, no friends and no trust in others

New survey results show that Australians are less trusting and more financially stressed than every before, underlining the need for the Federal government to take wellbeing measures more seriously.

Mushroom clouds

Romy Ash’s new novel Mantle explores the idea that a pathogen might make us wake up to ourselves and change course to save both the environment we depend on and ourselves.

Growing pains

Economic growth, particularly in energy-intensive nations, is slowing as the Middle East war continues to throttle exports of oil, plastics and fertiliser but is it time to rethink the concept of economic growth from its core?

How computers decide who gets care

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is moving towards computer-guided planning tools to generate budgets after participants’ support needs are assessed but many worry this amounts to a form of “robo-planning”.

Ageing well in a digital world

As Australia and the world face rapidly ageing populations, technology is increasingly promoted as the answer to helping older people live safely, independently and well – but experts warn that innovation alone is not enough.

Them or us?

Everyone on earth takes a private vote by pressing a red or blue button. If more than 50% of people press the blue button, everyone survives. If less than 50% of people press the blue button, only people who pressed the red button survive. Which button would you press?

An unfair go

Disadvantage is a concept that goes beyond income poverty to encompass people’s outcomes, including deprivation and social exclusion, so what does disadvantage look like in Australia today?

As important as ever

Anzac Day was held for the first time 110 years ago this week in the wake of the Great War and has been observed every year ever since, but what do today’s Australians think of the most significant event in the national commemorative calendar?

Day of the poppies

Understanding the history of the poppy as a symbol for remembering war dead allows us to appreciate the deeper significance of pinning a small poppy to our chests in 2026.

Home is where the hope is

Improving the early life conditions and environment of kids has been linked to better mental, emotional and behavioural outcomes down the line, as well as lower chances of being a convicted criminal and doing better in school, say Swedish, Chinese and US researchers.

You can write off writing

Two new experiments show that most people do not even consider that a personal message could be AI-generated, even when they themselves use artificial intelligence to write.