Big Ideas

How do you get to the essence of an activity that is part sport, part leisure, and a large part cultural identity?

We are aware of the impact racism can have on black, Indigenous, and other racialized people. We condemn white supremacy and hate crimes. But what if the most harm to people of colour is caused by white 'progressives'? What if they are the problem, but they are in denial?

If you love overseas travel, and you’re used to jumping on a plane, the pandemic has been especially trying.

International borders opened and closed , airlines reduced flights and quarantine rules could see you stranded in a hotel for two weeks at your own expense.

British journalist Monisha Rajesh believes it’s the journey not the destination and so she decided to tour the world by train.

After almost 150 years of exploration and research we understand the sea is deep, dark and definitely different - the earth's last great frontier perhaps - but how much do we know of what's beneath the surface?

Is the weekend family time at your place or a work day like any other? In theory , the norm is five days and forty hours but in our 24/7 world, work extends around the clock. So is it time for a reset to reduce standard working hours to a four day thirty two hour week?

Australian politics was up-ended this year by the election of six 'teal' independents.

The Greens, too, boosted their parliamentary representation.

And, of course, there was change of a government, with Anthony Albanese becoming Prime Minister, defeating Scott Morrison.

But writer, Tim Dunlop, believes it is the increase in the number of independent voices in parliament that has the potential to reinvigorate Australian politics and democracy.

Being civil, good manners – that’s ideally how debate should be. But journalist Amy Remeikis says it’s time for women to wise-up and stop being nice because men in power use niceness as a weapon against them. It’s okay for men to forcefully prosecute an argument but not so for women or critics of the establishment. She deconstructs how the code of civility is used to maintain the status quo.

Anthropologist and Vietnam war veteran, Neville White, has been working with Yolngu people in North-East Arnhem land to help them build a homeland, and ensure their traditional land and culture is not lost to future generations

Writer, Don Watson, tells of how Neville, his long-time friend, has spent over forty years, living and working with hunter-gatherer clans in remote Northern Australia.

Although the signs were there, western Europe was caught on the hop when Russia invaded Ukraine. After two world wars, it seemed inconceivable that there’d be another land war in Europe. So was this wishful thinking or wilful blindness to the lessons of history? What does Russian history tell us about the prospects for the resolution of the war in Ukraine?

Trade strengthens ties between countries but it can also be used to punish. By way of example, Australian producers , caught in the crossfire between Australia and China  lost access to Chinese markets and Russia is feeling the sting of trade sanctions over Ukraine. But should trade be used as a weapon to solve political differences? The Director-General of the World Trade Organization makes the case for re-globalization , a revitalized global trading system to promote international security.