New Zealand's well-being approach to budget is not new, but could shift major issues Career Advice New Zealand is set to release its first “Well-being Budget”, which builds on treasury’s Living Standards Framework. It introduces a suite of well-being measures, including…
The federal election campaign through the 'distorted prism' of social media Tuesday April 30, 2019 By The Mandarin Communications & Technology Home Affairs head Michael Pezzullo has described social media as a “cesspit” while former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese warned it…
Which agencies got a break from Senate estimates hearings? Thursday April 11, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Labor is crying foul over their missed opportunities to quiz public servants after Senate estimates was cut short by the beginning of the election campaign…
Car-free cities: are Australians ready to take back the streets? Monday March 18, 2019 By David Donaldson Culture Australian cities are becoming bigger, noisier and more congested. Would restrictions on cars improve our health and stress levels?…
Handling the 'pariah' policy of climate change Wednesday March 13, 2019 By Verona Burgess Energy & Environment Many agencies integrate disaster and climate “resilience” into their policies, programs and asset management. But that doesn’t mean Australia is any closer to deciding on…
Economic profit impossible if the Murray-Darling keeps eroding Tuesday March 12, 2019 By Geoff Edwards Editors' Picks Dr Geoff Edwards discusses balancing economic, social and environmental outcomes of the Murray-Darling river.
Critical response: robust, transparent science backs the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Thursday February 28, 2019 By Barry Hart Energy & Environment Disagreement over the the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and spuriously scientific analysis of fish kills does not mean that the MDBA was wrong, writes one of…
Urban forests: how trees can fight heatwaves and poor health Thursday February 14, 2019 By David Donaldson Editors' Picks Climate change and urban development are heating up Australia's cities. Planting trees is one solution being tried by local councils.
Murray-Darling Basin report: failure to consult Indigenous groups Friday February 1, 2019 By David Donaldson Federal First Nations have been largely left out of water management in the Murray-Darling Basin, the royal commission into the management of the river system has…
Geoengineering the Great Barrier Reef needs strong rules Friday August 3, 2018 By Kerryn Brent, Brendan Gogarty, Jan McDonald & Jeff McGee Editors' Picks The Great Barrier Reef has experienced extensive coral bleaching over the past two years. Faced with this reality, scientists are proposing a range of options…
New Zealand’s productivity commission charts course to low-emission future Wednesday June 6, 2018 By Robert McLachlan Case studies New Zealand has set itself a target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. A recent report issued by the New Zealand Productivity Commission has found that this is…
Public interest partnerships: NSW goes to market for socio-economic outcomes Wednesday June 6, 2018 By Stephen Easton Case studies In an example of public-impact procurement, the New South Wales government has placed 84,417 hectares of the Lowbidgee floodplain under the management of conservationists, local…
How we can avoid Day Zero in Australia Thursday May 17, 2018 By Nathan Taylor and Professor Andrew Western Editors' Picks Cape Town's Day Zero has been postponed until 2019, but the threat remains. Australian cities could easily find themselves running dry like Cape Town without…
Collaboration at the heart of the Basin Plan Tuesday May 8, 2018 By Phillip Glyde Case studies The hard-fought negotiations that delivered the Basin Plan demand innovation and collaboration, says MDBA chief executive Phillip Glyde.
Which council has Australia’s best-tasting water? Thursday April 12, 2018 By Ian Wright Features Every year Australia’s councils contest the academy awards of the water industry: the Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia. Entrants compete on clarity and colour…
