Big Ideas

Do we need a more rational approach to electricity generation in Australia?

Scientists can make you healthier and live longer by manipulating your genes. But they can also make the next generation stronger, taller, slimmer or smarter. How should we use the power we have over genes and life?

Technology now allows parents to look at their children's call history, texts and internet use. Is this undermining and unfairly inhibiting young people? Should privacy really be for adults only?

Gradual, but significant, change is occurring to Australia's immigration intake. More migrants are being granted temporary visas. Currently there is in excess of one million migrants living here temporarily, on visas such as the 457 skilled worker visa.  It is getting harder to secure permanent residency. Author and researcher, Peter Mares, says temporary migrants often live in Australia for many years, work, pay their taxes, and abide by the law. Yet they have no say in our democracy. "Not quite Australian", is how he describes them.  How is temporary migration changing Australia?

To make human rights useful for everyday life, we need to change the language from ‘rights’ to ‘gifting’.

Should the Parthenon Marbles be returned to Greece?

A Mini Moot to mark 200 years since the British Museum purchased the marbles from Lord Elgin.

Looking at Europe: with young eyes - and behind the scenes at CERN

At a time when music fans can choose from more 20 million songs on Spotify, and the like, Australian artists are making themselves heard around the globe. Australian acts were nominated for several Grammy Awards this year and singer/songwriter, Dami Im, was runner up in Eurovision song contest. The cultural value of popular music is impossible to measure, but the Australian music industry is seeking to quantify its contribution to the economy.  In this conversation, five music industry players talk to Paul Barclay about everything from digital disruption, and sexism in the industry, to why playlists may be the new radio.

Twenty five years of cold peace

Can the western community of nations reinvent itself to accommodate Russia?

Laura Tingle explains how People’s disillusion with politics is mainly a question of perception.