Modernising Medicare is a great idea but needs a radical approach
Feb 11, 2016 08:08 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology Health
The Australian government is investigating the possibility of privatising the payment services associated with Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, aged care services and veteran affairs. Health Minister Susan...
Opposition to genetically modified animals could leave millions hungry
Feb 11, 2016 08:00 am UTC| Insights & Views Science
In a world with a ballooning population and deteriorating environment, we will need to use every trick in the book to stave off mass starvation, disease and political chaos. According the Food and Agriculture...
Equality in education – what does that mean?
Feb 11, 2016 07:55 am UTC| Insights & Views
Australias appalling record of equity in education has once again been confirmed in the latest Closing the Gap report. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the reports dismal findings present an opportunity to...
Lessons from the Great Depression
Feb 11, 2016 07:50 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
As the old joke has it, Ive predicted five of the last two financial crises. But this time Im not the only person getting alarmed about the current volatility in financial markets. Plenty of serious, congenitally bullish...
The planned aviation emissions rules will just delay the heavy lifting until later
Feb 11, 2016 07:42 am UTC| Insights & Views
There appeared to be some rare good news this week for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. At a meeting in Montreal, the environment committee of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization...
Poor rural schools reveal the rewards of getting ‘the basics’ right
Feb 11, 2016 07:38 am UTC| Insights & Views
There are a number of fundamentals that ought to be in place for children to learn. These include caring school environments, well trained teachers and engaged communities. But too often, its these fundamentals which...
How Africa can up its game to meet environmental challenges
Feb 11, 2016 07:36 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Africa has enormous natural resource wealth. At the same time it is extremely vulnerable to the impact of environmental degradation, including climate change. These are two good reasons, one might assume, for prioritising...
South Africa’s plan to move away from coal: 8 steps to make it succeed
Germany lowers voting age to 16 for the European elections
IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects