Distrust of experts happens when we forget they are human beings
May 12, 2017 06:30 am UTC| Insights & Views Science
In 2016, conservative, pro-brexit, British politician Michael Gove announced that people in England …have had enough of experts with organisations from acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it...
Should we worry about Islamism in Indonesia?
May 12, 2017 06:29 am UTC| Insights & Views
Anxiety about radicalism and religious tolerance in Indonesia have triggered reactionary responses that could be dangerous for the countrys democracy. Joko Widodos administration recently announced plans to disband Hizb...
Drug testing welfare recipients raises questions about data profiling and discrimination
May 12, 2017 06:25 am UTC| Insights & Views Law Health
The Australian governments proposed random drug test trial for welfare recipients is not so random. Announced as part of the 2017 federal budget, Treasurer Scott Morrison wants 5,000 people on Newstart or Youth...
The federal budget doesn't do enough to save free-to-air TV
May 12, 2017 06:11 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
In a bid to save free-to-air television, the government has announced plans to repeal media ownership rules, and the 2017 budget included a change to licence fees. But the media landscape is undergoing a structural...

Two years after the earthquake, why has Nepal failed to recover?
May 12, 2017 06:08 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Two years after the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal, the country is struggling to bounce back. Nearly 70% of the affected people still live in temporary shelters, and it is common to see damaged houses, temples...
Don't be fooled, the Medicare Guarantee Fund provides no real guarantee
May 12, 2017 06:04 am UTC| Insights & Views Health Politics
Treasurer Scott Morrison pulled a health-related rabbit out of his hat on budget night, announcing the government will guarantee the future of Medicare. It will do this by allocating any extra revenue from the recently...

Is it time for the American dream to die?
May 11, 2017 14:59 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy Life
Commentators tend to agree on two main reasons for the rise and presidential victory of Donald Trump. His defiance of convention at a time when the institutions of democracy were (and still are) in crisis is often...