• Security

    Battle of the memes


    Tom Ascott |  February 25, 2020


    Hostile states such as Russia and China are consciously using ‘memes’ to amplify the loudest voices in democratic debates to deepen the divisions between us.


  • Infrastructure

    Rethink before rebuilding


    Open Forum |  February 25, 2020


    Suburban planning models are not suitable for bushland – so why would we continue to rebuild with them after the damage wrought by this summer’s devastating bushfires? 


  • Health

    The ramifications of Australia’s China travel ban


    Bryan Mercuri |  February 25, 2020


    Australia closed its borders to travelers from China at the start of February ‘to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Australian community’ so it’s time to assess its impact on the export, education and tourism.


Latest Story

  • Saving liberal democracy

    Bryden Spurling     |      February 20, 2020

    Technological advances, the challenge of China and climate change are all posing a threat to liberal nations, but a reinvigoration of democratic values can meet these challenges tomorrow, just as great threats were overcome in the past.

  • Scooting past the road rules?

    Elaine Stratford     |      February 20, 2020

    Are debates about e-scooters too narrow? Perhaps it is time to focus more on revitalising urban spaces and retrofitting road infrastructure than forcing them to fit into outdated legislation.

  • Taking a break from the booze

    Nicole Lee     |      February 20, 2020

    New draft guidelines recommend no more than 10 standard alcoholic drinks a week, but knowing how to take a break from booze altogether might have even greater benefits than merely cutting back.

  • Taking on toxic partisanship

    Jake Sandler     |      February 19, 2020

    Toxic partisans have contempt for their opponents, won’t listen to other ideas, refuse to compromise and put their own interests over the country. They dominate political discourse in the USA and too many other nations, and the public should demand an alternative.

  • Preparing for the future of work

    Pi-Shen Seet     |      February 19, 2020

    The nature of work is changing in a world of automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and digitalisation, so what sort of jobs should young people prepare for?

  • How smart is your city?

    Karen Vella     |      February 19, 2020

    The Australian government’s City and Regional Deals and funding through the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program are beginning to make Australian cities ‘smarter’, but disparities in performance remain.

  • Let’s not go there

    Gary Mortimer     |      February 18, 2020

    General Motor’s announcement that the Holden car brand will be “retired” and that local design and engineering will cease marks the end of the road for an Australian icon.

  • Surviving in a world of sharper technological competition

    Lesley Seebeck     |      February 18, 2020

    The sooner Australia comes to grips with technology’s reshaping of the world, the better we will be able to adapt, act and secure our future within it.

  • Natural’s not in it

    Daryl Holland     |      February 18, 2020

    Many Australians blame our variable climate for the recent drought and bushfires but researchers know these ‘acts of God’ are not natural at all, particularly when it comes to the effects of agricultural water extraction.

  • Why women’s sport matters

    Nadia Bevan     |      February 18, 2020

    The popularity of women’s sport is soaring, and elite-level competitions are gaining more mainstream traction, which sends a positive message for health and wellbeing for all women.

  • Sifting fact from fiction

    Jason Logue     |      February 17, 2020

    Reality may be a partly human invention, but relying on artificial intelligence to sift truth from misinformation on the internet could be fraught with danger.

  • Mud, glorious mud

    Open Forum     |      February 17, 2020

    A new review of the importance of nature play could transform children’s play spaces, supporting investment in city and urban parks, while also delivering important opportunities for children’s physical, social and emotional development.