Page 407 – Openforum https://www.openforum.com.au Open Forum offers an independent platform for Australian debate Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:27:37 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 Heartburn drugs can do more harm than good https://www.openforum.com.au/heartburn-drugs-can-do-more-harm-than-good/ Thu, 24 Oct 2019 20:05:19 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24193 A new UNSW study has found that national initiatives were unsuccessful in reducing prolonged use of anti-acid medicines for gastrointestinal acid-related disorders and more targeted interventions are needed.

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Special forces – special problems? https://www.openforum.com.au/special-forces-special-problems/ Thu, 24 Oct 2019 20:05:09 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24175 The ADF is subject to the rule of law, and our troops and their leaders are rightly accountable for their actions in battle, but the context and history of our special forces must also be understood before any rush to judgement.

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From fight to fiesta https://www.openforum.com.au/from-fight-to-fiesta/ Wed, 23 Oct 2019 21:55:35 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24169 Leila Maugeri describes her love for Spain, from the passion of the Catalan fight for autonomy to the high jinks of "La Tomatina".

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$136 billion goes ‘up in smoke’ every year https://www.openforum.com.au/136-billion-goes-up-in-smoke-every-year/ Wed, 23 Oct 2019 21:55:20 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24190 Fewer Australians are smoking, but the habit still costs the community at least $136.9 billion a year, according to a research report released by the National Drug Research Institute.

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One big Pacific family? https://www.openforum.com.au/one-big-pacific-family/ Wed, 23 Oct 2019 21:55:06 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24196 Despite the lip-service paid to our "Pacific Family", how genuine is Australia's concern for welfare and prosperity of Pacific Island countries when aid increasingly advantages external corporate interests at the expense of PIC communities?

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An Australian in Albania https://www.openforum.com.au/an-australian-in-albania/ Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:13:58 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24164 In July of 2019, GAP Intern Sophie Mayo was lucky enough to travel to Albania in Southern Europe for a summer holiday experience slightly off the beaten track.  Albania certainly delivered on her expectations and in this article she reflects on her experiences in the Balkan state.

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Managing the hidden water beneath our feet https://www.openforum.com.au/managing-the-hidden-water-beneath-our-feet/ Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:13:47 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24019 Decision-makers have significant discretion when it comes to regulating groundwater, but there is too little transparency about how it is used and its effect on the local environment.

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Bigger on the inside? https://www.openforum.com.au/bigger-on-the-inside/ Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:13:37 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24143 Could Australia’s housing crisis be solved, not with a bold expensive plan, but with sneaky, under-the-radar remedies? Architectural researcher Alysia Bennett has been working on some strategies she thinks might work.

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Fuel for thought https://www.openforum.com.au/fuel-for-thought/ Mon, 21 Oct 2019 19:36:12 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=23956 In news that will surprise nobody stuck behind a huge 4x4 or smoke belching diesel, emissions from Australia's traffic continue to climb, despite optimistic claims to the contrary.

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The airport border ‘crisis’ is a symptom of management failure https://www.openforum.com.au/the-airport-border-crisis-is-a-symptom-of-management-failure/ Mon, 21 Oct 2019 19:36:03 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=23983 From high staff turn-overs to filling the appeals tribunal with political allies, the Home Affairs department needs to get a grip on Australia's airport immigration problem.

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Defending Australia in an age of strategic disruption https://www.openforum.com.au/defending-australia-in-an-age-of-strategic-disruption/ Mon, 21 Oct 2019 19:35:55 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24048 The threat to Australia is real and increasing, for the first time since the Second World War.
The ADF must increase its readiness for conflict, with more training, higher stocks of munitions and protected operational bases in the north.

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DFAT’s budget squeeze damages Australian interests https://www.openforum.com.au/dfats-budget-squeeze-damages-australian-interests/ Sun, 20 Oct 2019 19:45:29 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24113 Diplomacy could help to create a more favourable world for Australia’s interests, but cuts to DFAT's budget are hampering its reach at a time when it's needed more than ever.

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