Copyright and the Aboriginal flag

Editor's note

The Australian Aboriginal flag is a powerful symbol, revered by many. But as Isabella Alexander writes, news that two Aboriginal-owned businesses and the AFL have received cease and desist warnings over their use of the flag on clothing has surprised and confused many Australians. As Alexander explains, the flag’s creator Harold Thomas is its copyright owner and thus has the right to grant licences to whomever he pleases, whether Indigenous or not. While some may disagree with his decision, asking the government to buy back the copyright licence from Thomas could be seen as ‘yet another appropriation of Aboriginal property rights’.

Today, your chance of dying from heart disease or stroke is about one-sixth of what it was in 1970. Thanks to advances in medicine, and changes we’re making to our lifestyles, Australians are living longer and healthier lives. But that’s not the case for all of us, as John Goss explains. People living in the poorest areas can expect to live at least five fewer years in full health than those in the richest areas.

Lastly, Sue Williamson and Linda Colley take a closer look at the Coalition government’s policies on gender equality and the impact they’ll have on society. They argue the government’s policies may benefit some women, but are unlikely to bring the long-lasting, structural changes needed to improve the lives of all women, particularly those at the lower end of the pay scale.

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Suzy Freeman-Greene

Section Editor: Arts + Culture

Top story

The Indigenous flag flies above Victorian Parliament in 2017. Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Explainer: our copyright laws and the Australian Aboriginal flag

Isabella Alexander, University of Technology Sydney

As the flag's copyright owner, Luritja artist Harold Thomas has the right to grant licences to whomever he pleases. Asking the government to buy back his copyright licence could be seen as an appropriation of Aboriginal property rights.

Improvements in heart health accounted for more than half of the improvements in our overall health. From shutterstock.com

We’re not just living for longer – but we’re staying healthier for longer, too

John Goss, University of Canberra

On the whole, we're living longer and healthier lives, thanks to advances in medical care, as well as lifestyle changes. But there are major differences in the health experiences of different groups.

The Morrison government has trumpeted its record number of female ministers, but it will need a new approach to policy-making to truly improve women’s lives. Lukas Coch/AAP

Will the Coalition’s approach to gender equality actually improve women’s lives?

Sue Williamson, UNSW; Linda Colley, CQUniversity Australia

When it comes to gender equality, it's not just the number of women in parliament that matters – it's how they go about legislating for change.

Health + Medicine

Fertility miracle or fake news? Understanding which IVF ‘add-ons’ really work

Hannah Brown, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute

It can be difficult to understand all the 'add-on' procedures available with IVF. A new study finds one popular fertility technology, ICSI, is being offered to couples is might not be suitable for.
Children have fun playing sports and don’t need to satisfy adults’ ambitions

Simon Walters, Auckland University of Technology; Chris Whatman, Auckland University of Technology

If you ask children, they enjoy sports because it's fun, they are with their mates and may get a compliment from the coach. But research shows that adults' ambitions increasingly drive kids' sports.

Politics + Society

ACTU’s Sally McManus to confront CFMMEU’s John Setka

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The Setka affair is now dominating discussion at the highest level of the union movement.
The shameful history of blundering asylum seeker policy

Carolyn Holbrook, Deakin University

Prime Minister Scott Morrison can learn from the pitfalls that contributed to the downfall of the Rudd and Gillard governments.
Establishing fitness to stand trial as the first step in Christchurch attack court process

Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato

Before proceedings against the alleged perpetrator of the Christchurch terror attacks can go ahead, the court will have to establish whether he is fit to stand trial.
Australians are less interested in news and consume less of it compared to other countries, survey finds

Caroline Fisher, University of Canberra; Glen Fuller, University of Canberra; Jee Young Lee; Sora Park, University of Canberra; Yoonmo Sang, University of Canberra

More than a third of Australians say they would prioritise a subscription for a video streaming service, such as Netflix, over a subscription for online news.

Environment + Energy

Why old-school climate denial has had its day

Michael J. I. Brown, Monash University

Ten years ago, politicians such as Tony Abbott would routinely voice disdain for climate science. Now, while the policy debate remains fierce, the battleground has shifted to economics and jobs.
Curious Kids: why do leeches suck our blood?

Mark Sandeman, Federation University Australia

The short answer is that leeches need blood to grow and reproduce. But it's in their interests to do it carefully, without causing too much pain, and in spots that are hard to find.
How New Zealand’s well-being budget delivers for the environment

Troy Baisden, University of Waikato

A recent report on the state of New Zealand's environment painted a bleak picture of species losses and freshwater pollution. Budget 2019 signals a shift, but more in intention than sufficient funding.

Business + Economy
Mending hearts: how a ‘repair economy’ creates a kinder, more caring community Katherine Wilson, Swinburne University of Technology A throwaway economy harms more than the natural environment. It also harms our mental environment.

Education

Parents say their children have tutors to fill gaps, not to charge ahead

Karen Dooley, Queensland University of Technology; Elizabeth Briant, Queensland University of Technology; Rebecca English, Queensland University of Technology

Some parents did speak of tutoring as a way of securing entry into a specific school. But they were in the minority. Most spoke of using it to help fix academic problems, temporary and ongoing.

Cities

Creatives in the country? Blockchain and agtech can create unexpected jobs in regional Australia

Marcus Foth, Queensland University of Technology; John (Jock) McQueenie, Queensland University of Technology

A project to protect producers from food fraud by verifying and promoting the provenance of the region's beef exports to China turned out to be a source of creative work in the region as well.

Arts + Culture
The Nightingale - much ado about nothing Ari Mattes, University of Notre Dame Australia As revenge films go, Australian writer-director Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale is watchable if uninspired. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film is the controversy surrounding the violence it depicts.

Science + Technology

A parasite attack on Darwin’s finches means they’re losing their lovesong

Katharina J. Peters, Flinders University; Sonia Kleindorfer, Flinders University

An infestation as a chick leads to enlarged nostrils in the beak of Darwin finches, and that affects their mating call.
Uber in the air: flying taxi trials may lead to passenger service by 2023

Matthew Marino, RMIT University

As a researcher in unmanned aerial systems, I was asked recently if I would ride on an Uber Air taxi. After a brief ponder, my answer is "yes".
Curious Kids: why did the dinosaurs die?

Caitlin Syme, The University of Queensland

Dinosaurs ruled the Earth for about 180 million years. But around 66 million years ago, a huge rock from outer space (called an asteroid) smashed into the Earth. Then things got worse for dinosaurs.