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Editor's note
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The federal government’s troubles of late November last year, brought about by the Angus Taylor controversy, look like a walk in the park next to the mess it finds itself in now, thanks to its inept handling of the bushfire crisis and the “sports rorts” scandal. As Michelle Grattan writes, it’s not just the handling of the fires that has been a problem but the government’s entire attitude to climate change – and now it can add to that deep
doubts about the economy.
All of this makes for a large political mess for Scott Morrison to deal with, particularly when parliament returns for the new year next week. And it’s not just the issues itself the government must tackle – it’s the many uncertainties they bring with them. Coronavirus, for example, has tentacles that spread far and wide, with major implications for two key industries in education and tourism.
Finally, then there is the Bridget McKenzie problem, which presents headaches for Morrison whether he sacks her or not. Small wonder government backbenchers will be arriving back in Canberra unhappy, carrying a lot of messages from their displeased constituents.
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Amanda Dunn
Section Editor: Politics + Society
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Top stories
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The number of coronavirus cases in Australia is likely to be quite small, but there could be substantial broader effects.
Stringer/EPA
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Parliament will reopen in the final month of a summer of horror for the country in general and Scott Morrison in particular.
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A catastrophic summer has brought climate change into sharp relief – and our media need to have clear policies about how to report on it.
Bianca de Marchi/AAP
Denis Muller, University of Melbourne
Given the summer we have had, media acquiescence in climate change denial, and failure to follow the weight of scientific evidence, looks like culpability.
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Exposing people to likely disinformation campaigns about bushfire causes will help inoculate them.
JASON O'BRIEN/AAP
Stephan Lewandowsky, University of Bristol; John Hunter, University of Tasmania
The best way to inoculate the public against climate disinformation campaigns is to tell them what's coming.
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Breathing bushfire smoke can be particularly dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions.
Erik Anderson/AAP
Emil Jeyaratnam, The Conversation; Phoebe Roth, The Conversation
Millions of Australians far from the bushfires' direct path have been affected by smoke haze. Here's everything we know about the effects of bushfire smoke on our health.
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Health + Medicine
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Sally Hewat, University of Newcastle
The sound comes from our lungs and our voice box, which is at the front of the throat. Here's how it works.
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Gary Sacks, Deakin University; Christina Zorbas, Deakin University; Kathryn Backholer, Deakin University
Myths that taxes on sugary drinks unfairly disadvantage the poor and will result in job losses don't hold up. Here's what the evidence says.
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Arts + Culture
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David Larkin, University of Sydney
This year Ludwig van Beethoven turns 250. Though some of his creations have been overexposed, they are indisputably brilliant. And there are still others waiting to be discovered by music lovers.
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Dr Fabri Blacklock, UNSW
Pressure is mounting on fashion producers to stop using skins from Australian native animals. But Indigenous people are reviving traditions and there are ethical ways for trade to continue.
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Education
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Isa Hafalir, University of Technology Sydney
A team of researchers have developed a method in which Australian children can have access to schools outside their catchment area.
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William Mude, CQUniversity Australia
The novel coronavirus is not as contagious as SARS, yet public advice to schools and childcare centres is stronger. This doesn't mean it's medically necessary.
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Science + Technology
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Matthew Bailes, Swinburne University of Technology; Vivek Venkatraman Krishnan, Max Planck Institute
One of Einstein's weirder predictions is that massive, spinning objects exert a drag on space-time itself. Now an orbiting pair of unusual stars has revealed this effect in action.
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Gregory Cohen, Western Sydney University
Two defunct satellites passed within metres of one another, prompting renewed focus on the dangers of space debris. But with many satellites treated as military secrets, how do we track the hazards?
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Cities
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David Teh, RMIT University; Tehmina Khan, RMIT University
Cities around the world are struggling to manage their mountains of waste. We can use the Internet of Things for smart waste systems that collect, sort, reuse and recycle most of what is thrown out.
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Business + Economy
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Gaurav Khemka, Australian National University; Geoff Warren, Australian National University
No single super contribution rate suits everyone, and there's only a clear case for an increase if there's no age pension.
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Politics + Society
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Andrew Podger, Australian National University
The government’s approach to Bridget McKenzie reveals a remarkable misunderstanding (or perhaps a remarkable misrepresentation) of the respective roles of ministers and administrators.
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Tony Walker, La Trobe University
Trump's "deal of the century" is not a realistic plan to resolve a decades-old conflict, but an invitation to Israel to expand its territory at Palestine's expense.
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Featured jobs
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UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia — UNSW
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