Latest Story
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Australia’s quirkiest politicians
Robert Hortle | December 27, 2025Australia has a fine tradition of unconventional politicians at all levels of government and there are many lesser-known characters in the annals of history that deserve some time in the spotlight.
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AI in the news
Angela Ross | December 27, 2025Though AI cannot replace the close connections local journalists build through in-person relationships, it can help synthesise information from local government, courts and public institutions and help hard pressed local news sources survive on lower budgets as advertising revenue – and therefore journalist jobs – continue to dwindle.
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Framing Australia’s defence strategy
Courtney Stewart | December 27, 2025The National Defence Strategy due for release next year needs to give Australians clarity about security priorities and reassurance that challenges in the region can be met.
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Beware of quick fixes
John Coyne | December 26, 2025If Bondi becomes just another episode of blame followed by forgetfulness, we’ll have failed ourselves. If instead it becomes a catalyst for serious, evidence-based reform, Australia may yet emerge stronger and more resilient.
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Tech savvy people are most concerned about tech
Open Forum | December 26, 2025Research suggests the more we know about technology, the more we seem to be concerned by its potential harms, which means those who appear to be the most vulnerable to digital harms also seem to be the least concerned.
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The critical minerals trap
Christopher Khatouki | December 26, 2025Australia’s critical minerals push is being sold as a strategic win, but it risks doubling down on a “dumb” commodity economy while locking Canberra deeper into U.S.-led geoeconomic rivalry.
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Star of wonder
Duane Hamacher | December 25, 2025The New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ birth are fragmentary, contradictory and unlikely to bear much resemblance to what really happened, but if “magi” really did follow a star to the east, what were they observing?
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Star Trek economics
John Hawkins | December 25, 2025It might seem worlds away from the Earth we know but could the venerable science fiction show Star Trek help us ‘live long and prosper’ by offering insights into the future of our own economy?
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Dear humanity
Roger Chao | December 24, 20252025 has been an awful year in many ways, with wars, authoritarianism and natural disasters abroad, and a dreadful atrocity to end the year at home. Yet, despite the headlines, there are always rays of hope in the heroism of individuals and undimmed faith in the future.
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Albanese stumbles over a Royal Commission
Michelle Grattan | December 24, 2025Anthony Albanese’s refusal to call a national royal commission in the wake of the Bondi massacre may have any number of political motivations but sorely misjudges the public mood.
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A brief history of angels
Philip Almond | December 24, 2025Angels are barely mentioned in the bible, but the public’s continued interest in them reveals the human desire for transcendence and even immortality.
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From darkness into light
Roger Chao | December 23, 2025In the wake of the Bondi massacre, Australia should protect the targeted, punish the guilty, confront the ideology of hate, and refuse the degradation of collective blame.
