Groups

Andrew West

In spite of the scandals, religious groups still lead the way on public good

Andrew West It's a counter-intuitive and controversial argument to make at a time like this - one might even say ''brave'', minister - but churches and faith communities are still the strongest centres of public...

Matt Wade

Why a get-together on the weekend is good for wellbeing

Matt Wade I HOPE you're making the most of the ''weekend effect''. People tend to have significantly more happiness, enjoyment, and laughter - and much less worry, sadness, and anger - on Saturdays and Sundays...

Bruce Guthrie

Castlemaine verdict changes the odds, but there's a blight in sight

Bruce Guthrie After 20 years, we still can't seem to agree on the best way to manage those pokies.

Paul Monk

Pondering the possibilities of bridge-building after Benedict

Paul Monk Almost all of the commentary following the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he was retiring seems to have concentrated on relatively banal topics, such as what he will do now, who will succeed...

Ken Lay

Police committed to focusing on crime, not race

Ken Lay Racial profiling. Over the past week, these two words have been used in conjunction with Victoria Police. It's something I don't want to see happen again.

Marcia Langton

Romantic ideas fail the green test

Marcia Langton I had been searching for the quintessential statement by a wilderness campaigner in opposition to Aboriginal interests to illustrate the problem that I have referred to in earlier lectures: the...

Nicholas Reece

Sweet nothings: soft approach is only feeding obesity rise

Nicholas Reece Australia's leaders need to boldly intervene to improve public health.

The Loaded Dog

Now that the election has been called, what do Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott have to do to win your vote? What is the most important national issue in your household?

Gay Alcorn

Kicking goals on gay pride

Gay Alcorn Sometimes it is tempting to feel sorry for the AFL. It's so darn progressive and open-minded.

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Sarah Rainey

What? No children? Fending off the final female taboo

Sarah Rainey Childlessness is on the rise. But why does it bother so many people?

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Shane Green

It's our station and we should have a real say in its future

Shane Green The grand plan by the Baillieu government to redevelop Flinders Street Station is heading into its final stages.

The Loaded Dog

Should gay marriage be an election issue?

The Prime Minister says she is against gay marriage but Britain is close to legalising it. Are our laws out of step with the rest of the world? Should this be an election issue?

Lucas Walsh

Racism demands action from all of us

Lucas Walsh Last week we saw another high-profile incident of racism, this time involving ABC journalist Jeremy Fernandez, who allegedly received a tirade of defamatory and racist abuse from a Caucasian woman...

Eve Ensler

If you truly love women, stand up and dance on February 14

Eve Ensler There seems to be two types of risings on the planet right now. One is a sexual violence typhoon that is affecting most countries in the world.

Joumanah El Matrah

Shutting out the 'sinners' feeds bigotry

Joumanah El Matrah Allowing religious organisations to discriminate undermines the true meaning of faith.

Elisabeth Betz

Real reasons for tension lost in rush to judgment

Elisabeth Betz 'Mobs tearing up Logan. Did any of them do a day's work today, or was it business as usual and welfare on tap?'' the Coalition's indigenous health spokesman, Andrew Laming, tweeted in response to...

Alecia Simmonds

Why oh why, Gen Y, are you so nauseatingly conservative?

Alecia Simmonds In the late '90s, when raving meant dancing and sun-dried tomatoes meant culinary sophistication, I joined a group at university called the Activist Left.