Editorials
What our furry friends can teach us about loyalty, love and loss
Australians are big fans of internal migration. We love to get away. In Victoria it’s usually up north to places like Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, the Central Coast or anywhere where the water is warmer. In Perth it’s to Bali; or in Canberra to anywhere there isn’t a politician.
Safety is crucial for staff and customer when they visit a Services Australia office
On February 19, 1986, a young Melbourne woman called Joeanne Cassar had her first day on the job at Medibank, which soon after was renamed Medicare and then became Services Australia. On May 23 this year, Joeanne was brutally attacked at the job she has loved going to for 37 years.
We need to listen and learn
Around 90% of Australia’s population lives in cities within 50kms of the coast and inhabits an estimated one quarter of 1 per cent of Australia’s land area. That leaves 10% – fewer people than live in Melbourne – spread across 99.75% of a country that is around 32 times the size of the United Kingdom.
Disability report must be a horizon, not a history of brutality
Instances of children being removed from their mothers immediately after birth, forced sterilisations and people with disability being physically tortured by those paid to care for them. It sounds like a horror story from the distant past, but these are just some of the nearly 10,000 individual stories Australians shared with the disability royal commission over the past four and a half years.
Loopholes costing you cash
One of the privileges of being a union rep was the great life lessons I learnt from the hardworking men and women I met.
We’re here for the workers
Minister Shorten discusses unemployment, cost of living, workers, and economic recovery policies.
A strong Australian Public Service benefits us all
Another week, another report of dubious behaviour at the big consulting firms working in Australia. There’s been a plethora of headlines about how the big four consulting firms — EY, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC — have infiltrated the Australian public service for mega contracts.
Every Hero Must Have a Foil
Dynamic duos can be the perfect match or grudge match and in Australia, we love to celebrate them.
Long slog for recognition but Matildas now front page news
There are few countries more passionate about soccer (or the “beautiful game” as it’s known) than the Republic of Ireland.
So, why should we care about history? What is history for?
I love history. I love reading it. Watching it. Listening to podcasts about it. And having a conversation with anyone who shares my passion — or convincing those who don’t, that they should.
Federal Budget signals the return of humanity and compassion to the NDIS
Tuesday night’s Budget brought relief on many fronts and had all the hallmarks of Labor values. I am particularly pleased that it has delivered for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Vale to three of the greats
It is sometimes argued that Australia's greatest generation were those born in the two decades before World War II. Three of that “greatest generation” passed away this week.
Why you shouldn't give up on the NDIS
Yesterday I stood at the National Press Club and addressed, through the magic of television, the Australian people about how the Albanese Government will reform the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Statement on the passing of Father Bob Maguire
The passing of Father Bob Maguire is incredibly sad news. I first met Father Bob way back in 1983 when I was 15 and at school doing a social work program. I spent a week with him seeing how he helped kids on the street.
It’s time we became better at employing people with disability
Employment of people with a Disability
Search for hope amid gloom
Climate change, the war in Ukraine, a global pandemic, cost-of-living crisis, tensions with China, the list of global crises goes on, all of it overwhelming.
Previous government stuck its head in the sand on vaping, but the Albanese Government will not
In the film Thank You for Smoking, big tobacco spokesperson Nick Naylor admits that his job requires “a certain moral flexibility” to earn a living from “fronting an organization that kills 1200 people a day”.
Robodebt a 'stain on Australia's soul'
Like so many of you, I’ve watched the royal commission into robodebt with competing emotions of frustration, anger, sorrow and admiration (for the brave victims, whistle-blowers, families and honest public servants) and utter disbelief that this could happen in Australia.
Magic of an afternoon grand final is impossible to beat
Is it too soon to think back to being locked in our homes, safe from the scourge of COVID, with only a footy match for entertainment or dragging your dog on the fourth walk of the day?
Ukraine, one year on, be assured your fight is our fight
Last Friday marked a sad day. Twelve months of the worst land war seen in Europe since 1945.