Former NSW Farmers President Mal Peters argues that complex government policy requires fact-based solutions, not “populist rubbish.” He predicts the “Barnaby Joyce train” will lose steam and warns that One Nation preferences could inadvertently keep Labor in power.
Opinion
Posted inNational, Opinion, Political
Opinion: Can One Nation turn its polling hype into seats in parliament? History shows it will struggle
One Nation’s meteoric rise in the polls has sparked speculation about them becoming the official opposition. However, history shows the party often struggles to turn hype into seats due to internal dysfunction, scandals, and poor candidate vetting.
Posted inOpinion, Political, Regulars
Opinion: How right wing populism is damaging your brain
RK Crosby says right wing populist simple slogans and cheap lines are cognitively easy to process, deliver a nice dopamine hit, and make scared people feel safe. And we have to fight it.
Posted inSocial, Solutions, Something to Think About
Opinion: Firefighters face repeat trauma. We learned how to reduce their risk of PTSD
First responders face high risks of PTSD, but new research shows it isn’t inevitable. A trial of the “SOLAR” mobile app – a confidential, self-led program teaching practical resilience skills – significantly reduced depression and trauma symptoms in firefighters.
Posted inIdeas, Social, Something to Think About
Opinion: An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?
Generative AI now allows you to create a “digital twin” for your loved ones to interact with after you die. But this booming “grief tech” industry raises serious unanswered questions about copyright, privacy, and who actually owns your digital identity once you are gone.
Posted inIdeas, National, Opinion
Opinion: The sad decline of the Bureau of Meteorology
Duane Groth argues the Bureau of Meteorology’s new website oversimplifies data, creating dangerous risks. He highlights issues with rainfall reporting, temperature minimums, and inaccurate UV forecasts, fearing a repeat of past disasters like Grantham.
Posted inNational, Social, Something to Think About
Opinion: New research shows Australians support buying local for different reasons – and not all will pay more
As the “Australian Made” logo turns 40, new research reveals a divide in why we buy local. While older generations prioritize the economy and jobs, younger shoppers are driven by ethics and the environment – and are surprisingly more willing to pay a premium.
Posted inOpinion, Political, Social
Opinion: We either believe in Human Rights for all or we don’t
Annabel Doherty from Armidale writes: An act of terrorism occurred on Noongar Country in Boorloo on 26 January 2026. The people targeted were supporting a First Nations Invasion Day event.
Posted inOpinion, Political, Regulars, Social
Opinion: Ableism is the ism we refuse to see
RK Crosby says the ableism hides in plain sight, including in the NDIS.
Posted inIdeas, Opinion, Something to Think About
Would you use AI to break writer’s block? We asked 5 experts
Bloomsbury CEO Nigel Newton suggests AI can help authors beat writer’s block. Five creative writing experts weigh in, offering perspectives ranging from ethical concerns to accessibility benefits, highlighting the complex debate on AI in literature.