Population
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The problem of God
In a recent post Eric Hunter asked: “Why doesn’t God save the world?” (P&I, 10 February 2025). It’s an interesting question, usually framed under the rubric of “the problem of evil.” Hunter prefers to believe in science rather than to believe in God. So why did he post about God in the first place? Continue reading »
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Here comes the human tsunami…
This year, more than 400 million people are in search of new homes, of food, water and family security. Continue reading »
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The eternal dance: East, West, and the future of human civilisation
In the grand tapestry of history, no thread is brighter than the one connecting East and West. This intricate exchange of ideas, trade, and philosophies — what we might call the Tao of Terra — has shaped our world in profound ways. Continue reading »
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Humanity’s operating system has been infected
Humanity is like a vast operating system designed to run on principles of fairness, collaboration, and kindness. Research shows that humans are hardwired to work together, share resources, and build systems based on trust and mutual benefit. This is how we’ve thrived for millennia. Continue reading »
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Reforms are needed to ensure an adequate retirement income
Australians now have access to significant superannuation balances, but if superannuation is going to meet its purpose of ensuring an adequate income in retirement, reforms are needed to provide better access to a superannuation pension. Continue reading »
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After the theft of a continent, welfare benefits beat work
Land rights now! By a strange quirk of fate, I was working in the Minister’s Office in 1976 when Parliament passed the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act. Great was our pride, and our expectations. In terms of securing title to land and sea the Act has been highly effective. But in terms of creating Continue reading »
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Who is missing from the conversation?
We need to stop putting all our eggs in the ‘anti-racism strategy basket’ and start to recognise that a more holistic approach where everyone across the population can see themselves as benefitting from the initiatives is the future to reducing discrimination for all, writes Anthea Hancocks. Continue reading »
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Is there much life after age 80?
More people live longer as life expectancies grow over the decades. For example, in 1900, the worldwide average life expectancy (defined as the average number of years remaining) was 32 years. By 2024, it is now 73.3 years. A commonly-asked question is how much life is left for those of us aged 80 and above? Continue reading »
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Reframing wealth: A stark disconnect between wealth and poverty
Australia is often celebrated as a wealthy nation, with a prosperity that is purportedly shared across its population. However, such assertions crumble under scrutiny. According to the 2021 census, 122,494 Australians were denied the basic right of shelter due to their inability to afford housing. This stark reality reveals the vast and growing chasm between Continue reading »
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Chinese-Australian and Chinese-American views on news: A comparative study
In recent years, media speculation about a possible conflict between the PRC and the US — and Australia’s role in the war as an ally of the US — has gained significant momentum in both countries. Both Chinese-Australians and Chinese-Americans face the geopolitical reality of living in a country that increasingly sees the PRC as Continue reading »
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Genocidal attitudes masked in the trappings of patriotism
The decision by Australia’s federal Opposition leader to avoid standing by the Aboriginal flag is a dangerously divisive and cynical move. Continue reading »
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A casualty of expectations
Everyone, it seems, is getting stuck into Anthony Albanese. Its not as though he has done much that is wrong. He hasn’t gone back on his promises, except, perhaps, in not delivering improved environmental legislation, and of course he failed to deliver on the Voice, though he tried. Continue reading »
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Survival of a people: Threats to Palestine’s existence as Israel kills 45,000
Israeli leaders insist that all the people of Gaza are Hamas. In the same breath, Prime Minister Netanyahu boasts that victory in his war depends on the complete annihilation of Hamas, by which he presumably means a whole people? Continue reading »
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Australians pierce the foreign policy propaganda of both major parties
A Resolve Political Monitor poll published in today’s Sydney Morning Herald makes clear that the Australian community at large possesses a contrary view to the foreign policy priorities of the Albanese government and its predecessor under Scott Morrison. Continue reading »
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Facing an aging population and financial challenges, hospitals in China are converting to senior care facilities
I have always had an interest in reading local official research documents. First, compared with the central level document, it provides a more “grassroots angle” of viewing problems and the way they get things done. Second, it is enriched with cases rather than theories. It’s just more practical. Third, it has a specific format and Continue reading »
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How can we make retirement villages better for residents?
Recently, the matter of retirement villages has come to the fore in the media, led by investigative journalist Adele Ferguson on ABC 7.30 Report. Ferguson’s report and case studies raised the question of “what protections should be put in place to protect the residents from the avarice of owners and operators of retirement villages?” Continue reading »
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Coping with despair: Palestine, Lebanon and beyond
Israel’s atrocities for which they are not held accountable, leaves a world feeling powerless to do more than watch and protest. Intervention to cope with a pandemic of despair, requires life enhancing responses to foster peace and revive respect for international humanitarian law. Continue reading »
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‘The fabric of nature Is unraveling,’ warns new report on wildlife population decline
“This is not just about wildlife,” an expert said. “It’s about the essential ecosystems that sustain human life.” Continue reading »
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The world’s population is poised to decline – and that’s great news
Some 18 months ago, the news broke that China’s population was beginning to contract. There was a knee-jerk reaction from business commentators who were wringing their hands eagerly over the implications this would have on China’s economic forecast and its place in the world – namely that fewer people would result in less consumption, ultimately Continue reading »
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A population policy anyone?
Imagine you have been asked by the Australian government to draft its new population policy. You first ask to see the old policy but are told there isn’t one: immigration policy has been the de-facto population policy for as long as anyone can remember. Continue reading »