Page 465 – 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 Hatching the LNG egg in our energy basket https://www.openforum.com.au/hatching-the-lng-egg-in-our-energy-basket/ Sun, 10 Mar 2019 21:53:50 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19807 We should invest in our strategically placed northern gas supply infrastructure, but with the long-term aim of using it to diversify our energy supply to include other sources, such as methanol, ammonia, solar and hydrogen.

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We need more than a website to cut out of pocket health expenses https://www.openforum.com.au/we-need-more-than-a-website-to-cut-out-of-pocket-health-expenses/ Sun, 10 Mar 2019 21:53:41 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19814 Seeking and making sense of specialist fees is an unfair burden to place on vulnerable patients. A website might be helpful for some – but health professionals need to be held to higher account.

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Preparing for the era of disasters https://www.openforum.com.au/preparing-for-the-era-of-disasters/ Sat, 09 Mar 2019 21:20:27 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19804 An emerging era of disasters will increasingly stretch emergency services, diminish community resilience and escalate economic costs and losses of life. It will also have profound implications for food security in our immediate region, with cascading impacts that will undermine Australia’s national security.

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Booze and boys are still a risky combination https://www.openforum.com.au/booze-and-boys-are-still-a-risky-combination/ Sat, 09 Mar 2019 21:20:17 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19789 “They are not a nation of snobs like the English or of extravagant boasters like the Americans or of reckless profligates like the French, they are simply a nation of drunkards.” – Marcus Clarke, 1869

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More than just melting ice – the human footprint on Antarctica https://www.openforum.com.au/more-than-just-melting-ice-the-human-footprint-on-antarctica/ Sat, 09 Mar 2019 21:20:06 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19780 The human impact on Antarctica may be more than just melting ice, according to Australian research which investigated the footprint of Antarctic research stations on the continent's rare ice-free land.

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How to get more people to use public transport https://www.openforum.com.au/how-to-get-more-people-to-use-public-transport/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 20:54:38 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19793 We know public transport takes traffic off the road and is better for the environment, but most of us prefer driving to taking the bus. Could better design could persuade us to think again?

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Australia’s other border security problem: visa overstayers https://www.openforum.com.au/australias-other-border-security-problem-visa-overstayers/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 20:54:30 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19811 There’s been plenty of discussion about the problem of asylum seekers arriving by boats, but the problem of visitors overstaying their visas is a much more common problem.

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Drug companies stay coy about safety https://www.openforum.com.au/drug-companies-stay-coy-about-safety/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 20:54:22 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19821 Should new safety warnings about the potentially serious harmful effects of medicines be considered ‘confidential business information’? University of Sydney researchers make a case for stronger regulation and full ongoing public access.

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Competition in Asia: too little of a good thing https://www.openforum.com.au/competition-in-asia-too-little-of-a-good-thing/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 19:58:34 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19783 Weak competition has a nasty habit of becoming entrenched over time as vested interests tighten their grip and economic clout hardens into political power. Getting on top of Asia’s current competition challenges will pay dividends for years to come.

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Droughts, extreme weather and empowered consumers mean tough choices for farmers https://www.openforum.com.au/droughts-extreme-weather-and-empowered-consumers-mean-tough-choices-for-farmers/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 19:58:22 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19775 Achieving the best for agriculture, our rural communities and the national economy will require tough choices as environmental concerns increasingly shape public attitudes and consumer choices towards destructive farming practises.

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It’s time for a Medicare shake-up https://www.openforum.com.au/its-time-for-a-medicare-shake-up/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 19:58:14 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19729 Over the last 35 years, Medicare has given Australians access to high-quality health care at a reasonable cost but the numbers of claims are rising, and higher spending doesn't equate to better care.

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Greening our cities could save older people from the heat https://www.openforum.com.au/greening-our-cities-could-save-older-people-from-the-heat/ Wed, 06 Mar 2019 20:30:44 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19737 Heat stress is a silent killer, and older people are particularly vulnerable. Greening our cities with shade trees and other vegetation could help people cope as climate extremes continue to worsen.

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