Latest Story
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The ‘domino’ threat of global extinction
Open Forum | November 16, 2018New research reveals the extinction of plant or animal species from extreme environmental change increases the risk of an ‘extinction domino effect’ that could affect and even end all life on Earth.
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The enduring fight for free trade
Andrew Leigh | November 15, 2018The argument for free trade must continually be made to convince a skeptical public but new measures must also take account of changing circumstances to ensure Australia’s trade remains healthy into the future.
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Fighting the drought with natural sequence farming
Ian Rutherfurd | November 15, 2018Slowing flows in rural creeks with “leaky weirs” may help reduce erosion and rehydrate the floodplain and more research on their effectiveness could help the nation’s farmers battle drought.
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Australia’s rules on alcohol advertising aren’t protecting our children
Open Forum | November 15, 2018Regulations introduced to restrict the placement of alcohol advertising are unlikely to reduce young people’s exposure to alcohol marketing in Australia, according to new research led by Curtin University.
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A Ministry of Loneliness?
Alan Stevenson | November 14, 2018Loneliness is an increasing social problem despite, or because of, the increasing population density of our cities and our reliance on social media. Would the creation of a ‘Ministry of Loneliness’ signal society’s intention to take this problem more seriously?
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Crowdfunding aims to save the Tasmanian Devil
Open Forum | November 14, 2018A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by the University of Adelaide to help save the Tasmanian devil, one of Australia’s most iconic but endangered animals.
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Unlocking Australia’s productivity paradox
Adam Triggs | November 14, 2018Predictions that new technology would unleash the boom in productivity required to increase real wages and create new jobs remain unproven as Australia’s productivity continues to lag behind increases in the past.
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Mobile money creates opportunities in PNG
Mark Moran | November 13, 2018PNG is a place of great complexity, with a development landscape littered with failed efforts. The potential for mobile money is often expressed in terms of financial inclusion, but there is also potential to improve development and governance.
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Why do people become homeless?
Julie Moschion | November 13, 2018While the majority of the general public thinks drug addiction is the main reason for homelessness, the reality can be quite different. Drug use can follow homelessness, which in turn is often a product of parental separation.
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Human activity threatens 25% of mammal species
Open Forum | November 13, 2018Human impacts such as deforestation and hunting are the biggest risk factors in the possible extinction of a quarter of all land-based mammals, according to a University of Queensland study.
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Where to next on the final frontier?
Malcolm Davis | November 13, 2018A critical mass of participants, initiatives and developments are riding a wave of government enthusiasm and private-sector support for Australia’s space industry. It’s a good time to be involved in the sector, but what should its priorities be from here?
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Restoring trust in governments and institutions
Grant Duncan | November 12, 2018The difficult task of restoring political trust will require leaders to reflect on their own behaviour and then working for significant reforms to social and economic policies and electoral systems in the public’s interest, rather than their own.
