
Explainer: what is the 'palace letters' case and what will the High Court consider?
Feb 04, 2020 12:18 pm UTC| Insights & Views Law
The dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975 remains as controversial as ever. Its last chapter is to be decided by the High Court, with proceedings about public access to the letters between the governor-general, Sir...
Lots of people want to help nature after the bushfires – we must seize the moment
Feb 04, 2020 12:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature
As the devastation of this season of bushfires unfolds, many people have asked themselves: what can I do to help? Perhaps they donated money, left food out for wildlife or thought about joining a bush regeneration...

The evidence suggests Reserve Bank rate cuts don't hurt confidence
Feb 04, 2020 12:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks Economy
When the Reserve Bank board meets today for the first time this year it is likely to leave its cash rate unchanged at the current all-time low 0.75%. Afterwards, it will announce its reasons, many of them good. But...
Planting trees must be done with care – it can create more problems than it addresses
Feb 03, 2020 12:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Thanks to the climate crisis, we are fast approaching the point of no return, according to world leaders. We are also in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. And the state of worldwide land degradation has also reached...
Post-Brexit trade: public prioritises deal with EU and is most concerned about food
Feb 03, 2020 12:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
From February 1 Britain will start trade talks in earnest. Some claim that a deal with the US should be prioritised over a deal with the EU. Reports also suggest the UK government is considering opening trade talks with...

Huawei and 5G: UK had little choice but say yes to Chinese – here's why
Feb 03, 2020 12:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology
The UKs decision not to ban Chinas Huawei from being a supplier for its next-generation mobile network has caused ructions. US politicians are outraged, with Newt Gingrich calling it a major defeat for his country. In the...
Heat kills. We need consistency in the way we measure these deaths
Feb 03, 2020 12:36 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature
One of the most confronting impacts of climate change is the risk of more deaths from hot weather. Heat stress can exacerbate existing health conditions including diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. Older people...