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There are widespread calls for the stimulus measures to be wound back as the Australian economy emerges from the global economic crisis. It might be better in this year's and subsequent budgets to continue the economic stimulus, but focused on our most disadvantaged communities.
Because we lived so long with a policy of assimilation, our ingrained racism takes time to shake. We need public policy that reasserts the principles of multiculturalism. Instead our Prime Minister is caught out making an ethnic jibe. June 2009
Significant portions of the Australian population have been living in a permanent recession, cut off from opportunity and prosperity. We should offer better pay to those who have stood with them.
The parochial Australian press reaction to last week's Samoan tsunami shows how editors play on people's sense of pride to sell newspapers. But the misuse and manipulation of information can have adverse consequences for third parties.
Some will be concerned by the black and white treatment of climate change in Tony Kevin's book. There is common ground now to generate significant policy changes with a focus on wellbeing, even while the CO2 debate continues to rage.
The Reserve Bank now places education behind only coal and iron ore as Australia's most important export. It is difficult to understand how the targeting of international students is not viewed with greater urgency.
Because we lived so long with a policy of assimilation, our ingrained racism takes time to shake. We need public policy that reasserts the principles of multiculturalism. Instead our Prime Minister is caught out making an ethnic jibe.
The community is divided over the Government's revised climate change strategy. Australia has the most visible evidence of climate change, which makes it all the more urgent for us to provide leadership on the world stage.
With uncharacteristic vehemence, Mr Rudd said people smugglers could rot in hell. This kind of language echoes the tabloid characterisation of people who have done foul deeds as monsters. The Christian view of evil is more complex.
If we regard asylum seekers as illegals who burn boats to force themselves on us, we might choose to close our doors to them. Rather than criminals, we should regard them as human beings in great need, deserving our respect and compassion.
Australia has spent the past decade in a consumer frenzy, while social infrastructure vital to our wellbeing has been neglected. The Government's belated $40 billion National Broadband Network will have many long-term benefits.
In his forthcoming response to the global financial crisis, Pope Benedict does not have to reinvent the wheel. Catholic social writings have long insisted that economics must be directed to serve the good of everyone, not just the rich.