• Society

    What’s the point of trying any more?


    Uri Gal |  March 17, 2026


    Companies such as Atlassian, Block and Amazon are sacking thousands of employees in their rush to embrace AI, and while other factors are also at play, young people are right to worry about their future.


  • Defence and Security

    Sea power means more than just ships


    Sean Andrews |  March 17, 2026


    The conflict in the Middle East and threats to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices sharply higher and proved that Australia’s prosperity depends on sea lanes it does little to secure.


  • Society

    Revamping regional universities


    Anna Alexander |  March 17, 2026


    Education policy makers must question whether the governance model applied across Australian higher education is aligned with the realities of thin regional markets.


Latest Story

  • Jen Dalitz

    Why childcare matters to us all

    Jen Dalitz     |      July 2, 2012

    With the cost of childcare up 11 per cent in the past year the Government moved to address the issue last month at a roundtable meeting with childcare providers and unions. Jen Dalitz says that childcare is an important issue for all Australians.

    Prime Minister Gillard’s rushed childcare summit earlier this month has put the spotlight back on the issue of affordable, quality care and why – like it or not – childcare is an issue for all. 

    There is now wide acceptance that childcare involves a learning and socialising process that provides the vital first step to life-long learning, and that affordable quality care is key to optimising the productivity of Australia’s workforce. 

  • Career development strategy to meet labour needs

    editor     |      July 2, 2012

    The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is developing a National Career Development Strategy, enabling a more strategic approach to providing improved career development for Australians.

  • Jeremy Liddle

    Young entrepreneurs boosted by G20 nations

    Jeremy Liddle     |      June 29, 2012

    Most successful businesses start small with nothing but a great idea and someone who believes in its success. Jeremy Liddle says that entrepreneurial spirit is nurtured in the G20 global network of young entrepreneurs.

    Young entrepreneurs are critical in the promotion of economic growth, creation of jobs, promotion of innovation and we are drivers of social change. Entrepreneurship is also an amazing vehicle to become master of your own destiny, and then use your profits to do some amazing things both for yourself and others. It is fun! It is empowering. It is liberating. 

  • Peter Barda

    Construction forecasts steer through tough times

    Peter Barda     |      June 28, 2012

    With the carbon tax around the corner and economic insecurity across the globe the Australian building industry is facing uncertain times. In such times Peter Barda says it’s important to have some idea of what the future might hold.

    As turbulent times buffet building and construction businesses across the country, the industry comes together to stare at its ‘compass’ to decide whether to prepare to survive or thrive, depending upon what it shows.

    The latest update to the ACIF Forecasts in April contained some good news, with a reminder that we are not in Europe. The bottom line is that the global economy is forecast to "muddle through", with sustained growth in the Chinese economy outweighing depressed demand in the US and international concerns over sovereign debt in Europe.

  • Stephen Kirchner

    The future of print media

    Stephen Kirchner     |      June 27, 2012

    The dramatic increase in independent online journalism has put the survival of traditional media in doubt. Stephen Kirchner says the new media rules are good for free speech, but not so good for journalists.

    Deutsche Bank this week issued a valuation for Fairfax that included a nil valuation for its metropolitan print business. It is easy to point the finger at the Fairfax management and board for this outcome, but that is far too parochial an explanation. Newspapers around the world are facing similar issues.

    It remains to be seen whether print media can be transformed into new and profitable business models based on paid subscriber content. However, any such transformation faces a significant constraint that was disguised by the old model: few people are prepared to pay very much for what journalists write. It is a reality journalists are understandably reluctant to accept.

  • Coalition victory not inevitable

    Ian McAuley     |      June 26, 2012

    If you are to believe media reports and political polls it’s seemingly inevitable that we will have a change of government at the next federal election. But Ian McAuley doesn’t accept  it’s the forgone conclusion many are predicting.

    Over the last year there has developed an assumption that the 2013 election will see a clear victory by a Coalition Government headed by Tony Abbott.

    While acknowledging the strong probability of such an outcome, I want to cast some scepticism on the strength of that assumption, by addressing these questions: Which party will win the next federal election, who will be Prime Minister after the next election, what will economic policy be after the next election, and which party will win the next federal election?

  • Narelle Gosstray

    Lingerie League undermines women’s athletic efforts

    Narelle Gosstray     |      June 25, 2012
    When the controversial Lingerie Football League came to Australia earlier this month it was branded as ‘cheap titillation’ by Labor senator Kate Lundy. Narelle Gosstray agrees it deliberately sexualises and objectifies women.

    Last year when it was announced that a Lingerie Football League (LFL) was coming to Australia, the Board of the Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) gave the issue some serious thought and presented our position on it.

  • Uncategorised

    Caring for our country

    editor     |      June 25, 2012

    The review of the Caring for our Country initiative launched last week. From 21 June to 15 August 2012, the Australian Government will be consulting on specific areas of the next phase of the program implementation that are still to be developed.

    The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to achieve a difference to Australia’s environment. Caring for our Country funds projects across the country to achieve national targets – projects that improve biodiversity and sustainable farm practices. This funding supports regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers, Landcare groups and communities.

  • Ulrike Schuermann

    Educate for the sake of the future

    Ulrike Schuermann     |      June 22, 2012

    Ulrike Schuermann looks to the future and asks what do Australian children need and what can the public and the government do to help protect them and make their lives more secure?

    Children are naturally vulnerable and most people wish to ensure they are protected and grow up to reach their full potential regardless of their background and circumstances. There are many individual issues that affect the quality of childhood. These include their health and  mental health, the provision of sufficient opportunities and the quality of their education to name just a few.

  • Ryan Halyburton

    The science of alternative energy

    Ryan Halyburton     |      June 21, 2012
    Ryan Halyburton looks at why the biggest factors affecting the implementation of alternative energy solutions are cost and social acceptance, not the science behind the technology.
     
    These days, it is almost impossible to drive down a suburban street and not see a house adorned with shiny solar panels producing clean and green power for its inhabitants.

    Nor is it possible to travel from Adelaide to Whyalla or Mt Gambier without noticing extensive wind turbines lining the horizon. Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years (without using any electricity), you will have noticed the increase in interest for renewable and sustainable energy solutions to the issues of climate change and carbon pollution.

  • Dermot O'Gorman

    Learning to measure what we treasure

    Dermot O'Gorman     |      June 20, 2012
    It’s no secret that humans are living beyond our means – in economic terms we are running down our planet’s natural capital. Dermot O’Gorman explains why the green economy is the central theme of this week’s Rio+20 summit.

    In a world of quick fixes, sound bites and salacious headlines, it can be tough to articulate a complex topic.

    Take the ‘green economy’ for instance. We have two main challenges. Firstly, there is no general agreement by economists, scientists, or political leaders on what the term actually means because, like any economy, a ‘green economy’ is complex and made up of many different factors.

    Secondly, mention the word ‘economy’ and a certain percentage of the general public tune out! 

  • Angela Lynch

    Putting safety first

    Angela Lynch     |      June 19, 2012
    Figures showing violence against women and children in Australia paint a picture grim picture. Angela Lynch says new changes to the Family Law Act might make life safer for families living in dangerous households.
    According to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children, at least 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 years and almost 1 in 5 sexual violence? The fact that these numbers are so high is a real indictment on our society.