Reality: The best gift of all
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For the first time in many Aussie kids' lives, they are experiencing a Christmas not defined by material overflow.
Sweet Baby Jesus had a beard
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Is it possible to put aside the stereotype and try to understand Jesus from perspectives other than pop culture this Christmas?
They said it best 2008
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With a new Federal Government settling in and a US election on the way, 2008 always promised plenty of change.
Indulgent Greens miss point of White Paper
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It is indulgent and counterproductive to expect any government to stand by and support policies which will see energy intensive industries - which pay our bills - simply cease or relocate offshore.
Decades after gay arrests, bring rights home
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Is it sufficient for Australians to be judged by a tribunal we didn't appoint under a Covenant we didn't design, or should human rights violations be judged by Australian judges according to standards set by Australians?
'Teach First', learn later: a quick fix
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High quality teachers are needed but will a six-week crash course in teaching help? 'Teach First' constitutes for governments a quick fix, a band aid, a lower cost of training teachers, a means to produce uncritical teachers.
Some are more equal than others
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It is clear that Kevin Rudd does not have the vision to see Australia as a prosperous, green energy hub. Instead of a White Paper, he raised the white flag of surrender.
China: the panacea for global growth?
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China's $US786 billion stimulus package means Australia can still rely on China to help pull us out of the economic downturn.
Unions, not workers, the real winners from IR changes
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Australian unions are not a bunch of holy saints. They're rough, they're tough, they're savvy and they're rich.
Workplace law a matter of human rights
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Last year's election result and its resounding rejection of WorkChoices was a victory not just for working Australians, but for human rights.
Repairing our reputation on human rights
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Commitment to the international system of human rights is incomplete if it is not matched by implementation at home.
Freedom from hunger: the most basic of human rights
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Tim Costello (World Vision), Julia Newton-Howes (CARE), Paul O'Callaghan (ACFID), Jack de Groot (Caritas), Andrew Hewett (Oxfam) and Robert Tickner (Red Cross) join forces to appeal for action on the most basic of human rights - food.
It's the climate, stupid
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While an emission reduction target of 5 to 15 per cent may be politically "realistic" and economically convenient today, it will result in a significantly changed climate with substantial economic, environmental and societal consequences in the future.
Don't be too quick to over-regulate
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The present global financial situation has seen a plethora of calls for greater government involvement in the functioning of economies.
What were they thinking?
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In New York, we all became political junkies: the cabbie, the doorman, the sushi-maker. We shook our heads more than once that after all these years of waiting, Democrats had both a woman and an African-American running.
Electricity is not an optional extra
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It supports fundamental human needs including access to safe food, safe shelter and warmth, and impacts nearly every aspect of life in this country.
Victoria's no dams policy holds no water
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The Victorian Government should explore all water options before spending millions of dollars on projects which divide rural communities and may not solve Victoria's water crisis.
Migrants with disabilities deserve a better deal
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The present view of people with disabilities as a burden on the community, a view which permeates current migration practice, must be abandoned.
Mumbai attacks may signal change in terrorists' tactics
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This attack was so successful that other terrorist groups will study the modus operandi and may use it in the future.
Net porn: Whose rights matter most?
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Trying to get the net warriors to acknowledge the extent of the social problem of youth access to pornography is nigh impossible.
Google's next step towards domination of the Information Age
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In one of the greatest sleight of hand deals in intellectual property history, Google may be the repository of all books and similar publications coming out of the US.
'Hardening' our water supplies through purified recycled water
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The National Water Commission regards water recycling in all its forms as a vital option to rebuild Australia's water security.
Forget productivity: more people should join Facebook
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As long as the website isn't used at work too much, everyone would be better off if more people used it.
Principle and pragmatism in anti-terrorism legislation
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It is frequently said that terrorism is not new and that it is "just like any other crime". As a matter of degree, this is certainly not so.
Critics come to the aid of the (education) revolution
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Why has Julia Gillard, with her apparent commitment to evidence-based policy, adopted Joel Klein as a guru and NYC as a model?
