Writer

Bronwyn Kelly
Bronwyn Kelly is the Founder of Australian Community Futures Planning and the author of By 2050: planning a better future for our children in 21st century democratic Australia and The People’s Constitution: the path to empowerment of Australians in a 21st century democracy.
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An Australia Day worth celebrating – how might we do it?
As is now usual around Australia Day, commentators from all sides of the argument weigh in to suggest new dates on which we might celebrate the founding of the nation. Henry Reynolds, for instance, has made a case for not celebrating on 26 January and in response in these pages David Havyatt has wondered whether Continue reading »
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Australians will miss a once in a century opportunity if we shirk a referendum on an Indigenous voice
David Solomon has raised an important issue in Pearls and Irritations this week. He has suggested some opinion leaders may argue there is little point in a referendum to enshrine a Voice for First Nations in Australia’s Constitution because the Commonwealth parliament already has the power to legislate for creation of such a “Voice” and Continue reading »
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Lies, damned lies and the Morrison government’s statistics
Retiring Liberal Party Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has taken full aim at the “corrupt antics” of Scott Morrison and his “consigliere” Alex Hawke. If the Prime Minister and his inner circle have “no moral compass” and choose to lie at will, how can Australians get a grip on the facts and whether it’s time for a Continue reading »
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On Australia Day we must proclaim an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The Uluru Statement from the Heart invites us all to walk with Indigenous Australians towards a better future. Let’s say yes. Continue reading »
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No Mr Morrison, that’s not a plan. This is a plan
Any government smart enough to set up an agency tasked with moving the economy into renewable energy could hold office for at least two decades. Continue reading »
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Morrison’s net zero deal with the Nationals won’t deal with climate change
The world will be watching, but on some reckonings, the Australian prime minister’s pledge at COP26 in Glasgow will be around 25 years too late. Continue reading »
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News Corp’s climate pivot perpetrates a new fraud and draws us closer to climate catastrophe
Not only does News Corp’s new climate change campaign come after years of spreading climate misinformation, it is also simply replacing its last fraud with another. Continue reading »
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Militarism or a civil revival: which will we choose?
In June 2021, John Menadue spoke for many concerned Australians in his Pearls and Irritations Public Policy Journal by saying “we need a civil revival“. Continue reading »
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Our democracy is broken – but it can be fixed
Democracy is broken. Or at least, gutter politics has dragged it off its pedestal. And certainly, if our quality of life is any measure, democracy is failing the majority of Australians. But there are solutions if the will is there. Continue reading »
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Twelve points to help journalists and save democracy
Despite what the Government and some of the mainstream media will have us believe, the “News Media Bargaining Code” does nothing to protect or enhance quality journalism in Australia. There are better ways to achieve that. Continue reading »