Sally Larsen from the University of New England questions the use of NAPLAN results to evaluate Australia’s social media ban, arguing that the standardized test is a poor metric for a policy that does not involve school curriculum or teaching.
Posted inNational
Opinion: A landmark moment for Australian agriculture
NFF President Hamish McIntyre says Australian farmers have not reached the target of a $100b industry by accident.
Posted inOpinion, Regional
Opinion: Childcare centres have staffing rules, but many find loopholes
UNE researchers Tammy Williams and Marg Rogers explore how “under-the-roof” loopholes in childcare staffing ratios are compromising child safety and driving educator burnout across Australia.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Four years on, where are the homes and the flood mitigation?
Federal Member Kevin Hogan reflects on the four-year anniversary of the 2022 floods, questioning the lack of housing delivery and engineering work to reduce future flood levels.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Can you afford a dog’s love?
Eric James writes that the high fees charged by Councils are making it hard for people to adopt and rehome dogs, which may be contributing to our mental health crisis.
Posted inSocial
Opinion: Lismore’s businesses offer hope for others rebuilding after disaster
Dan Etheridge from SCU’s Living Lab Northern Rivers and Caitlin McGee from UTS argue that as communities across Australia rebuild from a summer of fires, heatwaves and floods, we need more examples of how small businesses and communities can recover.
Posted inIdeas, National, Opinion, Political
Opinion: X’s algorithm can shift political views in weeks – and the effects last
A new real-world study reveals that X’s “For You” algorithm nudges users toward conservative content and following right-leaning accounts, with effects that linger even after the algorithm is turned off.
Posted inQuick Word
QW: As I see Barnaby’s defection
Christine Stiles says: It’s fairly simple. If I’d been gagged at the last election from campaigning by my party leader and encouraged by the Coalition leader to resign, I’d get the message that I was no longer wanted!
Posted inPolitical, Regulars, Something to Think About
Opinion: Or, we could just stop talking about them…
RK Crosby says the way to defeat the likes of Hanson and Joyce is to stop talking about them.
Posted inOpinion, Political, Regional
Opinion: Ever-Growing Costs of Fast Rail and Inland Rail: Is There a Better Way?
Siri Gamage questions the $90 billion price tag of the Sydney–Newcastle fast rail, arguing that investment should instead focus on regional corridors like the Great Northern Railway to unlock inland economic potential.