Society & Inequality
From culture wars to AI disruption, universities face a reckoning over their role in society
High fees, student dissatisfaction and repeated governance issues dominating the headlines have fuelled an intense political climate for universities. Well before President Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term, the anti-university backlash had taken root both in the United States and here in Australia.
Gambling means Australians are the biggest losers in the world
A bet on the horses today is the only time many Australians will gamble. But this doesn’t change the reality that, collectively, Australians are the biggest gamblers in the world, wagering a total $254 billion in 2023-24.
Sophie Scamps: Ministerial 'turf wars' are stalling critical policy reforms
Independent Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps has blamed 'ministerial turf wars' for stalling critical reforms, warning the gap between departments is where “sensible reform proposals go to die”.
The Government is taking action on housing. It's just exactly the wrong kind of action
The Government spends an estimated $13 to 15 billion per year on housing, it's all directed to the capital gains tax discount, the negative gearing deductions and the Commonwealth rent assistance.
Why does the winner of The Block get their prize tax-free but the Archibald winner doesn’t?
This year, the winners of The Block took home $520,000 in tax-free prize money. Meanwhile, the winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Award paid at least a quarter of the $60,000 prize to the tax office. How did we get here and what can be done about it?
Every four hours a gun is stolen in Australia: new research
Gun violence has been in Australian headlines regularly in recent months.
