Editor's note

They’re cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and your bills will be cheaper. It’s no wonder people are willing to pay a bit more for an energy-efficient home. And while in many countries anyone selling a home has to disclose its energy efficiency rating, this isn’t the case across Australia.

Today Daniel Daly, who does research into how to retrofit buildings to make them more energy efficient, looks at how we could implement a similar system in Australia to help home buyers, those selling their energy-efficient homes, and the environment.

John Watson

Section Editor: Cities + Policy

Top story

The University of Wollongong Illawarra Flame House demonstrates how a typical Aussie fibro home can be transformed into a net-zero-energy sustainable home. Dee Kramer

Homes with higher energy ratings sell for more. Here’s how Australian owners could cash in

Daniel Daly, University of Wollongong

Buyers pay more for a home they know has a good energy rating. That's worth an extra 2.4-9.4% in the only part of Australia where energy ratings must be disclosed at the time of sale.

Bridget McKenzie was a member of a shooting club that received $36,000 in grant money. Lukas Coch/AAP

Scott Morrison orders probe into whether Bridget McKenzie breached ministerial code

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Morrison says he referred the auditor-general report to the head of his department last week to determine if McKenzie breached ministerial standards in her sports grant dispersals.

Margaret Court has used her platform in the sport to vilify LGBT+ people and many fans believe her name should be stripped from the arena at the Australian Open grounds. Dave Hunt/AAP

Can Tennis Australia honour Margaret Court and promote LGBT+ inclusivity at the same time?

Ryan Storr, Western Sydney University; Katherine Raw, Western Sydney University

Tennis Australia has faced criticism for its decision to celebrate Court's career next week. But at the same time, it's boosting its efforts at inclusivity with events like this year's Glam Slam.

When bushfires break out anywhere across Australia, a new national bushfire defence force – like army reservists – could be deployed. AAP/DFES Lewis van Bommel

Australia needs a national fire inquiry – these are the 3 key areas it should deliver in

David Bowman, University of Tasmania; Ross Bradstock, University of Wollongong

There is a real risk a national inquiry could get bogged down in politics, or not lead to real change. But we need more federal action on bushfires. Our old approaches are broken.

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