Australia isn't closing inequality gaps

Editor's note

The latest census data shows that remote Indigenous communities, single parents and the young have all seen declining employment outcomes since 2011. As Nicholas Biddle and Francis Markham write, this may require a rethink about targets and policies aimed at these important groups.

And in a little-known chapter of convict history, Kristyn Harman writes of the period between 1843 and 1853, when New Zealand shipped more than 110 of its worst offenders across the Tasman Sea to Australia. Early New Zealand, she says, aspired to be a colony for gentlefolk, with no room for reprobates.

Josh Nicholas

Deputy Editor Business & Economy

Top story

Census figures show remote Indigenous communities are falling behind. AAP

Census data shows just how bad we've been at closing inequality gaps

Nicholas Biddle, Australian National University; Francis Markham, Australian National University

Looking past the headline Census figures, we see divergences between rural and urban Indigenous populations, and the young and old.

Business + Economy

What is behind the rising price of butter?

Brigit Busicchia, Macquarie University

The price of butter has risen by 60% globally over the past twelve months. Why is this occuring and what are the implications for Australia?
Five ways to kickstart the economy -- without cutting company taxes

Jim Minifie, Grattan Institute

The Productivity Commission has released a mammoth report summarising several years worth of reccomendations.
Why reforming health care is integral for our economy

Michael Woods, University of Technology Sydney

Australia is increasingly a services-led economy. The health sector is not only a big employer, but health care is an important factor in worker productivity.

Arts + Culture

Soldiers, thieves, Māori warriors: the NZ convicts sent to Australia

Kristyn Harman, University of Tasmania

Early colonial New Zealand had no room for reprobates and was at war with Maori resisters. So between 1843 and 1853, it shipped the worst offenders across the Tasman Sea.
Big bang: Germinal creates a universe out of nothing on stage

Jana Perkovic, University of Melbourne

Germinal has the intentional naivete of a long brainstorm, made concrete with stage props, music and projection, but it rumbles through some incredibly sophisticated concepts.

Politics + Society

We need to address questions of gender in assisted dying

Rachael Wong, University of Notre Dame Australia

There are several 'gendered risks' in assisted suicide that challenge the idea that women will always be acting autonomously.
Speaking with: Bates Gill on Australia's changing relationship with China

William Isdale, University of Melbourne

William Isdale speaks with Bates Gill on the importance of Australia's relationship with China and how best to navigate the sometimes complex alliance.

Cities
'Bang, bang, bang!': the shock of a boy playing with a gun on a suburban street Emily Gallagher, Australian National University Australian children were once free to play on the streets, but today the urban space is less friendly to children and their imaginations.

Environment + Energy
Victoria's plastic bag ban: a good start, but we can do more Trevor Thornton, Deakin University Victoria's proposed ban on single-use plastic bags is a step forward, but what about all the other unnecessary packaging? A truly effective waste policy should offer a comprehensive plan for packaging.

Education
What makes a good university? Academics and students have different ideas Omer Yezdani, Australian Catholic University Lower ranked universities often outperform their highly ranked peers in student satisfaction.

Science + Technology

Curious Kids: Where did the first person come from?

Darren Curnoe, UNSW

Maeve, age 8, has a question that has stumped many scientists over the years. And that’s because it’s a surprisingly tricky question to answer. It depends a bit on what you mean by 'person'.
Turnbull's government must accept responsibility for delivering an equitable NBN for all Australians

Tooran Alizadeh, University of Sydney

The NBN has to be equitable to be a truly nation-building platform. As long as it is failing some, it is failing us all in Australia.

Health + Medicine

Constantly texting your friends about problems may be increasing your anxiety

Danielle Einstein, Macquarie University

Reaching out for reassurance every time you have a doubt, or problem, might seem helpful in the short term. But learning to face uncertainty is essential to managing our mental health.
Why we should test everyone's genes to predict disease

Anna Vinkhuyzen, The University of Queensland; Naomi Wray, The University of Queensland

If you could take a test that would reveal the diseases you and your family might be more likely to get, would you want to do it?