Time to end our dependence on coal

The Canberra Times Opinion So long has the coal train been running in Australia - and so much money has it generated - that slowing it will not be as easy.

EDITORIAL

Reformist he may be but Rouhani is no reason to rejoice

Opinion The election of the apparently moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran seems hopeful but is no reason to rejoice. Beyond Iran's nuclear ambitions, the overwhelmingly Shiite nation's growing role in the intensifying fighting in neighbouring Syria threatens to draw the US even further into what is now a full-scale sectarian conflict with no obvious conclusion.

The Age

Iranians call for change but will they be heard?

Opinion All authoritarian leaders fear the day when the public's weight of numbers challenges their control.

Gillard has failed to connect with voters

The Canberra Times Opinion When the fall of Julia Gillard is pondered a decade from now, her inability to connect with voters will be key.

SMH

Only national unity can counter sexism and set a visionary course

Opinion The next prime minister must have the skills to unite Australia.

The Age

Bank and ASIC must answer for failures

Opinion Even after CBA insiders blew the whistle in 2008, the ASIC took 16 months to act.

The Sun-Herald

All will benefit from giving the young ones a break

Opinion Parents must stop demanding more, and more complex, homework for children.

The Sunday Age

For donor recipients, information is critical

Opinion Knowing a donor's medical history can reduce the risks.

Modern look at genome patents is timely

Opinion Australians should thank the US Supreme Court for ruling unanimously that companies cannot own natural human genetic sequences but can use them to further the fight against disease.

The Age

Declaring war on a vile culture

Opinion At the end of a tawdry week littered with too many dispiriting instances of vilification of women, it was - of all people - the head of Australia's army, Lieutenant-General David Morrison, who emerged as the most refreshing, powerful and inspiring voice for change.

The Canberra Times

Army bastardry must vanish

Canberra Times Opinion Anyone familiar with the ADF would have shaken their heads in wonder and disbelief this week.

Mackay jigsaw is still a challenge

The Canberra Times Opinion The latest development is a reminder that there are threads still yet to be drawn together in this saga, and people still to be brought to account.

The Age

Labor campaign loses way, thanks to Gillard

Opinion On Monday, the plan was clear. So what did the PM do? Derail the strategy by lobbing a political grenade in an attack

SMH

Solving the Mackay mystery more important than ever

Opinion For all Mackay's courage, organised criminals still run drugs businesses.

SMH

Legal highs, legal headaches: time for a national approach

Opinion White Revolver, K2, Ash Inferno, Kyote, Kronic, Black Widow, Buddha Express Black Label, Iblaze Tropic Thunder, Galaxy Ultra Nova, Skunk, Circus Deluxe, Vortex Inferno, Herbal Incense, King Karma, Montana Madness, Sharman, Ice Blaze, Slappa, Voodoo, Kaos, Mango Kush, Ivory Wave, Cloud Nine and Vanilla Sky.

The Age

We owe it to Jill Meagher to do better

Opinion Serious failings of this state's law and order strategy have been highlighted through the disclosure of the appalling criminal history of Adrian Ernest Bayley, who awaits sentencing for the murder of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher.

Keeping watch on Big Brother

The Canberra Times Opinion The line that separates legitimate, warranted surveillance from fishing expeditions is a fine one.

Public-private looks the goods for Metro

The Canberra Times Opinion If Canberra is to have an efficient light rail system, the public-funded public-private partnership model looks to be a sensible option.

The Age

Indonesia, Malaysia are essential to the solution

Opinion To know there are bodies of asylum seekers floating in the Indian Ocean is almost too much to bear.

SMH

Festival is worth every blaring car horn, and every cent

Opinion The traffic congestion tells the story. Normally when the city is in gridlock this is bad news, but not this time, unless, of course, you were one of the poor souls stuck in the traffic.

'Ordinary' people are an inspiration

The Canberra Times Opinion Recognition of outstanding achievement is capable of inspiring real enthusiasm, and of reinforcing public pride in achievement.

EDITORIAL

US stance on cyber hacking makes China's hard to attack

Opinion The cyber spying revelations dogging US President Barack Obama's administration have overshadowed the optimism of his weekend talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.