Latest Story
-
Why we need to do something about productivity – right now
patrickcallioni | April 11, 2012High productivity with low input is what every business in the world is looking for. Patrick Callioni says that getting the equation right is about more than sacking people or making them work harder – it’s about working smarter.
When I use the term productivity, I mean the amount of value produced per hour worked, which is the result of the application of several economic factors, including capital, labour and land, the traditional factors, plus knowledge or know how and several other less visible, but increasingly crucial factors in a globalised economy.
-
Building stronger communities, one grant at a time
Simon Herd | April 9, 2012Each year governments, universities, foundations and the private sector give out billion of dollars in grants. Much of that money goes to community organisations, but Simon Herd says the process of giving grants can be wasteful when it’s done poorly.
What’s easier than giving out a grant? You just get a pot of money, pile it in a heap, ring the bell and stand well back.
No matter your skills or experience, it’s almost impossible for the giver of the funds – the “grant maker” – not to do some good.
Of course, as Aristotle pointed out, there are some complications: “To give away money is an easy matter … and in every man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.”
-
No logic to current drug laws
Chris Berg | April 5, 2012This week Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr declared he supports decriminalising low-level drug use to allow police more opportunity to redirect their resources. Chris Berg looks at the political origins of drug laws.
It doesn't take more than a moment of thought to recognise that the rulings on which drugs are legal or illegal are governed by no particular logic.
No theory from medicine or philosophy or psychology demands alcohol, tobacco and caffeine must be legal while marijuana, cocaine, and heroin must be prohibited.
We cannot rely on distinctions about relative harm. Many experts have pointed out that marijuana is on balance less dangerous than alcohol. But this legal discord isn't unusual. One British police chief controversially stated a few years ago that ecstasy is safer than aspirin.
-
Australian superannuation – for the benefit of Canberra, Collins Street or Struggletown?
Fergus Neilson | April 3, 2012Australians have more money invested in managed funds per capita than any other economy in the world. But Fergus Neilson wonders if we are making the most of it.
-
Demand management strategies needed for home electricity use
Jodie Kleinschafer | April 3, 2012Changing the way we use electricity at home can make a big impact on the size of the bill at the end of the month. Dr Jodie Kleinschafer looks at how households make energy efficiency choices and what motivates those choices.
-
Nonprofit ‘climate change’ – things are hotting up
Wendy Scaife | April 2, 2012This year promises to be an interesting one for Australia’s large non-profit sector, with government reforms everywhere. Dr Wendy Scaife says she is optimistic about the changes.
Anyone who’s hung out in the nonprofit sector for any time can feel climate change in the air. We all know the temperature is hotting up in regulation with Australia to have a charity commission/one stop regulator for the first time from 1 October (in a year interestingly when NZ has just closed theirs).
However, the pulse of change is clear too in information, professionalism and philanthropy levels too and in the sector acting as… well a sector! The impacts good and bad apply whether you are a hospital or a homeless shelter, a board chair or a grassroots volunteer.
The rise of employment motivated social enterprise
Mark Daniels | March 30, 2012The idea of the market being used to fix the problems society creates is social policy nirvana. But in reality it’s not that simple. Mark Daniels looks at how social enterprise works for the long-term unemployed.
Sexual harassment is still alive and thriving
Alison Page | March 29, 2012Every year, workplace sexual harassment is one of the most common complaints received by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Alison Page looks at how it continues to thrive in our work environments.
Could a 21-hour week work for us?
Michael Cebon | March 28, 2012In this economic environment where everyone feels compelled to work harder, could the real secret to our success be to work less? Michael Cebon says a move to shorter working hours could benefit employees, the economy and the environment.
Bronnie Ware spent years working as a nurse in palliative care, counselling patients in their last weeks of life. Over a number of years of work, Bronnie chronicled the regrets of her patients as they approached the end of their lives, finding that "common themes surfaced again and again".
What emerged as one of the most common regrets for people about to die – especially men – was: "I wish I hadn't worked so hard."
Review of apprentice wages overdue
Peter Tighe | March 27, 2012This month the Federal Skills Minister Chris Evans agreed with unions that apprentice wages are too low and don’t suit modern tradies. Peter Tighe from the Communications, Electrical, and Plumbing Union of Australia says we face a severe skills shortage if those wages are not liveable.
As Australia stands on the precipice of a multi-decade resources boom, we confront an historic challenge. How do we ensure the benefits of the boom are spread far and wide – beyond the mining giants and into the living rooms of all Australian homes?
From dust bowls to food bowls: the conservation farming revolution
Dr John Kirkegaard | March 25, 2012The challenges of global food security and climate change have re-focussed attention on agriculture in Australia. Dr John Kirkegaard says we should be proud of the innovative, efficient and productive farming systems that have been developed in the past 30 years.
The misconception of Australian agriculture being inefficient and unsustainable is deeply concerning for me. Images of dusty ploughed fields and dying sheep and trees are misleading. On the contrary, if there was an Olympics for conservation agriculture Australian farmers would win gold!
Far from being inefficient and unsustainable, Australian agriculture is leading the world in conservation agriculture techniques.
