In the past several years China has become more assertive, and its diplomats have again used sharper language — it’s been called ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’ and has a long history. Peter Martin discusses China’s diplomacy today and its impact; describes the motivations behind wolf warrior diplomacy and how diplomats are being rewarded for their aggressive rhetoric and posture.

Australians consume 17 million eggs every day which is pretty good going for a country of 25 million people. When you buy eggs do you think about those hard-working hens? And does it matter to you if they’re in a cage or out in the paddock?

What is the future of religion? Many see the declining number of ‘traditional believers’ as a clear sign that religion has no future. Others resist any idea that our established religions might adapt to new cultural trends. But religions come and go. Always have and always will. The latest shift of religion is not secularism, but atomisation into individual believes.

The biggest tertiary reforms in decades are taking shape in our universities. Are students attracted to cut-priced STEM courses and rejecting humanities subjects that have doubled in price? Insiders suggest another possibility: cash-strapped universities could create more places in higher fee courses.

How many houses, schools, pensions, and skilled workers will we need in the next decade? The answer to that requires a handle on the size and shape of our population. Demographers give governments a snapshot but the modelling contains guesswork about fertility rates , life expectancy and immigration policy. Could we do more to make Australia an attractive destination for skilled migrants?

Australia’s aged care system needs an overhaul. The Royal Commission into aged care was very clear on that in their report. The government has promised over 17 billion dollars to respond to the commission’s recommendations. But there is much unfinished business. 

On Big Ideas, aged care researchers and practitioners point out missed opportunities and how we could do better.

Harmful care might be an oxymoron but that’s how 18-year-old Oceane Campbell experienced the mental health system. She felt blamed and shamed for attempting suicide and had to re-tell her story multiple times. Twenty years on she and her once alienated mother reflect on inter-generational trauma, rape and suicide.

The Empress Dowager, Cixi, led China for the best part of 50 years, from 1861 till her death in 1908, modernising the then medieval country. She did so at a time when women had no formal mandate to rule. While Cixi was capable of ruthlessness, writer, Jung Chang says the last hundred years have been most unfair to her. Jung Chang discusses Cixi, modern China and her relationship to her homeland.

Ginger Meggs – he is an Australian celebrity. Famous in over 30 countries and entertaining adults and children alike for 100 years now. The cartoon character Ginger Meggs started out as a newspaper strip. But now he has an Instagram account, lives on merchandises and even got a movie. One 

has to go with the times, right. Especially, if you want to draw attention for another century.

What can be done about the deepening divisions in society? Individualism is increasing, as is the gap between rich and poor. And, the emphasis on self-made success can further alienate the disadvantaged.