There’s no ageing population crisis in Australia according to Dr Ben Spies-Butcher. The recommendations made in the Caring for Older Australians draft report released by the Productivity Commission have highlighted the need for an economic overhaul to afford good care for our increasing aged population. Instead Dr Spies-Butcher argues the need to look at the big picture and share costs … more
Monthly Archives:: January 2011
Chris Bonnor | How My School caught up with the schools funding review
In our final piece in our big ideas series on ABC’s The Drum Unleashed, Chris Bonnor takes a look at another controversial start to the school year. Will the funding change now that the relaunched My School wesbite catches up with the schools funding review? Read Chris Bonnor’s piece here.
Chris Bonnor | Dangers of classroom apartheid
As the school year begins, Chris Bonnor asks will the Review of Funding for Schooling bring to a close the 50-year misadventure in how we provide and resource schools? Read his essay in the Sydney Morning Herald’s News Review here.
Ben Spies-Butcher | Population ageing: crisis? What crisis?
CPD’s Ben Spies-Butcher has just read the recommendations made in the Caring for Older Australians draft report released by the Productivity Commission today. While there are some good points, he thinks the economists have got it wrong. When it comes to the crisis of an ageing population, Ben asks, what crisis? Read his piece in Crikey here.
Larissa Behrendt | Close the Gap & Other Rhetoric in the Places of Real Policies
In attempting to “Close the Gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, we’ve has entered into an Era of Symbolism, while policies remain free of substance and weight. While Rudd “seemed comfortable making history by finally delivering a national apology”, compensation has been ruled out, as has being guided by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. As a result, … more
Larissa Behrendt | Close the gap and other rhetoric in the place of real policies
Larrisa Behrendt considers what the term ‘close the gap’ really means for Indigenous policy development. If we are to move past an ‘Era of Symbolism’ Larissa argues our government cannot continue to overlook and dismiss the knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have about solving their own problems. Read her article here in The Drum as our ideas … more
Ian McAuley: How can the health portfolio contribute to the floods rebuild?
One the eve of Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing a temporary levy on taxpayers to help fund the floods rebuild, CPD fellow Ian McAuley offers his thoughts about where savings in federal health spending could be found, to help make up the shortfall. Read the full article in Crikey’s health blog Croakey here.
John Menadue: Immigration Nation
In a fascinating series, Immigration Nation, on SBS about Australia’s history as a migrant nation, CPD’s John Menadue looks back on the part he played in turning away from a discriminatory and draconian White Australia Policy. You can watch the series online here.
Jennifer Doggett | A Medicare Safety Net for those that don’t need it
Like a pair of fish-net stockings on a big night out, the Extended Medicare Safety-net is a good idea in theory. But CPD’s Jennifer Doggett finds that in practice it fails to deliver support where it is really needed. Read her article here in The Drum as our series of big ideas for 2011 continues.