Big Ideas

Australia is a federation. But the COVID-sponsored resurgence of the states illustrated how little notice we typically take of our federal contract. On Big Ideas, we look at the history of the Australian Commonwealth and in particular at Western Australia, a state that has often been deemed ‘the Cinderella state of the Australian Federation’.

For all our sophistication, deep down , humans are highly evolved social animals And basic instincts continue to shape behaviour in the modern world. In daily life, on social media, in the groups we join,  we find our tribe , defend our tribe and seek social status within the tribe.

It’s our greatest strength and our greatest weakness.

The reputation of Australia’s elite Special Air Service, the SAS, has been seriously undermined by disturbing allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan. The allegations shocked the nation, and led to an Australian Federal Police investigation, and the Brereton inquiry into war crimes. Paul Barclay speaks to ABC journalist and author, Mark Willacy, whose Gold Walkley award winning 4 Corners program included video footage of an illegal killing.

It’s a dream for many young Australians to be a sports star. You win games. Win medals. You’re a hero to the fans. AFL star Adam Goodes had ticked all the boxes when he came up against career-destroying racist abuse. His experience has forced clubs to confront racist attitudes and take affirmative action.

Cruel mass production or happy cows on Old MacDonald’s farm - people often have a distorted idea of how agriculture works. It’s a business, yes. And often the price of food doesn’t cover the costs of production, resulting in the exploitation of workers and the environment. But farmers are also in the front line of protecting soil quality and improving water recourses. Our relationship with food impacts farming in 

Australia.

Ready or not , the goal is net zero carbon emissions by 2050. And Australia will be held to account. As the Glasgow climate talks come to an end , we hear from regional communities about the push to net zero. Where to now for places built around coal and coal-fired power stations?

For cancer patients, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an extremely anxious time. Those with weakened immune systems are more likely to pick up COVID-19, and this can cause serious illness, or death. Given the risks, healthcare systems have reorganised cancer services to ensure patients get the care they need, while minimising exposure to COVID-19. But it’s not been without compromise, and research also suggests, the pandemic has contributed to increased psychological distress among cancer patients.

What does it mean for Israel to be a Jewish state? This is a much more complicated question than it first seems. The meaning of Jewish sovereignty in Israel revolves around Zionism’s charged relation with its own Jewish roots and Israel’s subsequent unresolved claim to a non-religious Jewish identity. This tension stands at the core of Israeli socio-politics and shapes the politics of the Middle-East at large.

With COP 26 in full swing we hear from some of the big players in Australian business about the push for net zero emissions by 2050. Representatives from BHP, Coles, Fortescue and the Australian Industry Group talk about their plans to reduce emissions.

Will business convince governments that we can reach our climate targets?

How do you hope life will be when you grow old? The majority of Australians will continue to live independently. But if you do have to go into residential care, what should that look like? What do you need for a fulfilling life into old age?