Latest Story
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US privacy in the age of big data, mobile and the cloud
Malcolm Crompton | March 12, 2012This year the United States took a big step in the protection of data by announcing an online privacy plan that would give consumers more control over how their personal data is collected, shared and used by websites and advertisers. Malcolm Crompton says the next big step will be implementation and global interoperability.
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Cloud computing – the fundamentals
Paul Armstrong | March 11, 2012What is the Cloud? Cloud computing is receiving a lot of press from users, business owners and government's around the world, yet it is not always clearly defined. Paul Armstrong breaks through the technical talk to explain.
Remember when you used to buy a newspaper as opposed to reading it on your iPad? Or when you used to buy DVDs from the store instead of downloading your films from iTunes? I can’t.
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UncategorisedNational Anti-Racism Strategy
editor | March 10, 2012
The Australian Human Rights Commission and its partner agencies are holding public consultations around Australia over the next few months as part of the developing the National Anti-Racism Strategy.The aim of the Strategy is to promote a clear understanding in the Australian community of what racism is and how it can be prevented and reduced. The National Anti-Racism Strategy is part of Australia’s multicultural policy, The People of Australia. It is anticipated that the Strategy will be launched in July 2012 and implemented between 2012 and 2015.
The Commission will hold its Melbourne consultation in Broadmeadows on Friday 30 March. You can register by emailing antiracismsecretariat@humanrights.gov.au or phoning (02) 9284 9847 or 1800 620 241.
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Australia and Asia – reading between the lines
Warren Reed | March 9, 2012Last year Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, put forward the suggestion that Asian language classes should be mandatory in all Australian schools. Warren Reed agrees Australians have to take on new skills if they want to reap the benefits of our economic and geographic proximity to Asia.Australia’s flagging interest in learning Asian languages is a regular feature in the media these days, and so it should be. As our multi-faceted relationship with the region expands, you’d think our curiosity would be driving us in the opposite direction.
UncategorisedStrategic assessment — Great Barrier Reef
editor | March 9, 2012
The Australian Government has launched a strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone.
Lies, damned lies, and infographics
Martin Aungle | March 6, 2012Infographics – the visual representations of information, data or knowledge – can present complex information quickly and clearly. Martin Aungle wonders if their pursuasive power is a social media step too far.
With every day brings a new infographic, designed either to convince people that they need to start using social media or to let people know that if they are using social media, it’s OK. A good example of the former is 5 Big Reasons CEOs Should Get Social, and of the latter Why Social Media isn’t a Waste of Time.
For the uninitiated, the infographic is a series of pictures with words, graphs and numbers designed to get a point across in an easy-to-be-digested way. It’s become the unofficial language of the social media set.
Plenty of work – it’s effort that’s lacking
John Caldwell | March 5, 2012It’s a common perception that young people today are not prepared to work hard, start at the bottom, or do any number of menial jobs that don’t excite them. Are the young workers holding themselves back or is it the economy? John Caldwell says it’s not a lack of jobs, it’s a lack of relevance.
In our industry we meet all types and for the most part we are fortunate that we deal with hard working Australians who want and need a job however this is not the case with all.
The science of picking sides
Paul Willis | March 5, 2012Scientists sometimes seem to relish the notion that science is too technical and complicated for the lay-person to understand.
UncategorisedNational anti-corruption plan
editor | March 5, 2012
Corruption is a serious global problem, which has devastating impacts for individuals, families, communities and regions. It discourages investment and distorts markets, leading to depletion of resources for important community services like schools, hospitals and roads. To help combat corruption, the Australian Government last year committed to develop and implement Australia’s first National Anti-Corruption Plan. A key objective of the Plan is to strengthen Australia’s existing governance arrangements by developing a whole-of-government policy and plan on anti-corruption.
The National Anti-Corruption Plan is being developed at a time when Australia is being reviewed on its compliance with the UN Convention against Corruption and the OECD Foreign Bribery Convention.
Clean Up provides simple response to shared problem
Ian Keirnan | March 2, 2012When Clean Up Australia Day started 22 years ago founder Ian Keirnan had no idea that it would one day become a global movement of millions of dedicated people. He believes that when you take a simple action to a shared problem, the sky is the limit.
There has never been a more important time for the people of Australia to take action and get involved in environmental initiatives to preserve our biggest resource – Australia.
When we started Clean Up we had no idea that it would be as vibrant 22 years down the track as it was in 1989. Back then the community was incensed by the amount of raw sewage on our beaches and by the fact they couldn’t eat fish caught in our harbour.
Female homelessness on International Women’s Day
editor | March 2, 2012On International Women’s Day 2012 Homelessness Australia wants us to remember that women make up almost half of those experiencing homelessness in Australia.
