School funding is undermining equality and cohesion
Australia’s school funding model is widening inequality and weakening public education. Without reform, it risks undermining social cohesion, productivity and democratic stability.
Recent articles in Our Top Five Each Week
2 April 2026
Productivity, inequality and the rise of populism
The rise in populism in numerous advanced economies has been driven by cost-of-living pressures. To protect our democracy, we will need faster productivity growth and all wages to rise with productivity.
2 April 2026
Building beyond ‘No Kings’
Millions have taken to the streets in opposition to Trump. But without clearer demands, broader unity and more sustained action, the movement risks falling short of real change.
1 April 2026
The fuel crisis won’t save the Coalition. It might finish them
Cost-of-living pressure will not automatically shift votes to the Coalition, as culturally aligned voters begin drifting toward alternatives that project conviction and stability.
1 April 2026
Catholics lag behind as the first woman appointed to lead the Anglican church
The installation of a female Archbishop of Canterbury highlights the Catholic Church’s continued hesitation on women’s leadership and the need to listen more closely to women’s voices.
1 April 2026
We dug up medics in Gaza. A year later, international law remains buried
Israeli attacks on healthcare workers and infrastructure in Gaza reflect a broader erosion of legal and moral constraints, with consequences extending beyond the conflict.
31 March 2026
Trump’s war without purpose is everyone’s problem
The US-led war on Iran lacks clear objectives or strategy, accelerating the erosion of American credibility while exposing failures in political and media judgement.
31 March 2026
Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference
At a time of diminished political leadership, the legacy of Fred Hollows and Michael Johnson shows what practical, principled internationalism can achieve.
30 March 2026
Iran’s target list: taking the war to multinationals
Major corporations are increasingly entangled in modern warfare, blurring the line between civilian infrastructure and military targets.
29 March 2026
None of the diverse ‘journalists’ writing for this Aussie news site are real
A fully automated news site with no journalists shows how easily AI can mimic credibility – and how exposed Australia is to manipulation.
26 March 2026
Free speech and antisemitism: drawing the line
In this extract from his submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Gareth Evans argues that it is crucial that protest language claimed to be inherently antisemitic be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account context and intent.
26 March 2026
Patriotism or politics – the fight over the flag
As populism rises, the Australian flag is being used as a political tool – defining patriotism and drawing lines around national identity.
26 March 2026
Tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease – Australia’s regional leadership matters
Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, yet remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Australia’s regional role is critical to changing that.
