Society & Inequality
ACOSS backs gas export tax as momentum builds across parliament
Australia’s peak council for community services ACOSS has joined the torrent of support including the Greens and independent members of parliament for a 25% levy on gas exports, originally proposed by the ACTU.
Independent publishers gather for summit on future of local news
Australia’s shrinking local media landscape has fuelled growth in independent news outlets, with publishers gathering in rural South Australia to discuss the challenges facing community journalism. The Local and Independent News Association (LINA) summit in Murray Bridge comes amid growing concerns about the sustainability of regional news.
Fuel costs and RBA hikes equal to a 90 basis point rate rise: 'this is brutal'
Combined with the 50 basis points rise in February and March in less than 2 months households are paying the equivalent of a 90 basis point rise in interest rates.
A real wage increase in the Minimum Wage won’t cause inflation to rise
News has come out today that the Government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission for the annual wage review will recommend an “economically sustainable real wage increase” for the National Minimum Wage and the Modern Awards.
Philanthropy cannot replace government funding in Australia’s arts sector
Artists, authors, musicians and other creatives have a huge impact on Australian culture, how Australians see themselves, and how the world sees Australians. Australia’s arts and culture cannot be produced overseas, and cannot be moved offshore. It can only be made here.
Fuel crisis exposes burden of mutual obligations on people in poverty
Welfare advocates are calling on the employment minister to suspend compulsory “mutual obligations” for Centrelink recipients, amid concerns rising fuel prices will prevent them from attending compulsory meetings.
We treat teachers like we treat mothers. That’s why we don’t pay them what they’re worth
Most people have a nostalgic story to tell about their favourite teacher. We often invoke them when teachers are bargaining for better pay and conditions, or when another story of violence in schools reaches the headlines.
The data shows Australia’s population growth isn’t out of control, it has simply returned to trend
Australia’s population size is always a hot button political topic – perhaps more so now given the various conservative parties coming out strongly against further migration – but the reality is much calmer.
Urgent action needed as global oil shock exposes Australia’s oil vulnerability
Australia faces an unprecedented oil security challenge. Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), described the current oil shock as “the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”, and is calling on countries to act rapidly to reduce economic impacts. While Australia navigated recent oil shocks unscathed thanks to a high self-reliance in oil and oil products, the Iran crisis is markedly different.
Anthea Harris appointed 'fuel czar' as Australia braces for supply disruption
Former energy regulator Anthea Harris has been appointed Australia’s new 'fuel czar”' to lead a national supply taskforce, as the government moves to mitigate disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
