Past Programs
Community and Society - 2008
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Recyling and e-waste
19/11/2008
About 8 million new mobile phones are sold in Australia each year and at last estimate, there were more mobiles in this country than people. But what happens to old phones when it comes time to buy new ones? Only about three per cent are recycled; most end up as landfill. The story is not much better for other e-waste— computers, electronic goods, televisions. Environment groups want the federal government to introduce a scheme of 'extended producer responsibility', where the manufacturer takes charge of the disposal of the goods, not just their production. So what could that add to the cost of a new TV or computer? Should schemes like that be voluntary rather than regulated by government? And what's the consumer's role in recycling?
ISP filtering
18/11/2008
Political pressure has been building for the federal government to enforce compulsory filtering of internet content at the level of the service providers, with the particular aim of protecting children. But critics claim that the filtering won't actually protect our computers from some of the most serious risks.
The sexual discrimination act 25 years on
11/11/2008
Nearly 25 years ago the Sex Discrimination Act was introduced to empower women. But today Federal Sexual Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, says the legislation is out of date and doesn't provide enough protection for men. Why is it time to reform the legislation and does it need to be amended to keep up to date with family and workplace change in Australia?
Nursing shortage
27/10/2008
New research into the nursing workforce shows that 15 per cent of nurses are retiring every five years and more and more work only part-time. One in every two enrolled nurses are dropping out of the job. At the same time one-third of students are not finishing their nursing courses. The reasons for the attrition are harsh working environments and long working hours. Is Australia heading towards a nurse crisis -- have we maybe already hit it? And how can we counteract the nursing exodus?
Poker machines
07/10/2008
A new inquiry into problem gambling is expected to start next month. COAG, the Council of Australian Governments, has asked the Productivity Commission to update its 1999 inquiry. And the Senate is considering legislation to reduce the number and location of poker machines. They're a familiar sight in many of our clubs and pubs and a big source of revenue for our states. But should poker machines be more tightly controlled and can the design of the machines themselves have an effect on problem gambling?
Innovation review
24/09/2008
Today on the program we follow up on some of the key recommendations of VenturousAustralia, Terry Cutler's new report on Australian innovation, research and development. It calls for a doubling of present funding for research including full government funding for university research and significant new tax concessions. Is this where we should be investing the winnings from the resources boom, and is it enough to turn Australia into the clever country?
The Age Pension
11/09/2008
It's 100 years now since legislation for the age pension was introduced into the Australian Parliament. In 1908, it was a fairly modest commitment, about 12 per cent of the average male wage. Today, it's 25 per cent of average weekly earnings and there's renewed debate about whether or not the pension should be increased. The politicians are admitting that they couldn't live on the pension but the Prime Minister says there will be no change until a departmental review is completed in February next year.
With most of us now required to contribute to superannuation schemes, what is the age pension expected to deliver? Is it simply a safety net against poverty or is it about providing for our older citizens?
Drive safely on country roads
29/07/2008
A new five-year study of serious road accidents in remote Queensland has confirmed what researchers have know for some time. Speed and alcohol are frequently involved, the majority are single vehicle accidents and the casualties are mostly men. But it's not just young men who are affected. Males aged between 30 and 50 years also figured in the statistics. So how can we reduce the risks for drivers in rural and remote areas and what road safety campaigns are most effective?
Urban Water
24/07/2008
Water Minister Penny Wong, has given assurances that drinking water remains a priority in the southern basin even though the Murray River is at its lowest levels on record. More than a million Australians draw their drinking water from the Murray and there's little prospect of rain between now and the start of Spring.
Water used for domestic purposes, accounts for about 11 per cent of our total consumption. Agriculture uses about 65 per cent. But with the farm sector facing a tough future, is it time to reduce urban water consumption? Patrick Troy from the Australian National University says households could cut their demand for potable water by up to 70 per cent, but we'd have to be prepared to change the way we build. He wants all new developments to include rain and grey water tanks and composting toilets. Would those measures work and what about permanent water restrictions? The future for urban water in Australia Talks.
Sea change, tree change
09/07/2008
When Laura Gibson packed her bags and headed to Pearl Bay, she took about 2 million television viewers with her. Since then, the Sea Change phenomenon has continued apace and for some, morphed into a tree change. The latest statistics for rural Australia show that more than 7.5 million of us now live outside capital cities. That's an increase of almost 473,000 since 2001.
Today in Australia Talks, the experiences of two writers who've made the move. Both left Sydney, one for an island off Sicily and the other for a farm in southern Queensland. And, as usual, looking for your experiences. Have you ever thought about leaving home in search of a new place and pace? Perhaps you've already made the move. Glad you did it?
Savannah cats and other exotic pets
24/06/2008
At this moment there are 15 Savannah Cats - a mix of African Serval and domestic cat - in US quarantine waiting to come into Australia. They will form the breeding stock of an Australian population. The breeders praise the loyal temperament of these new pedigree cats - while wildlife groups see an additional threat to an environment already dealing with a feral cat problem.
Savannah cats: biosecurity threat or media beatup?
Keeping Tabs
11/06/2008
The federal government says safety is a priority in its plans to make nursing homes report all residents who go missing. Homes would be required to notify the department as well as the police when a resident is missing without explanation.
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot is also looking at the use of medi-tag bracelets. The bracelet would be engraved with a symbol indicating the condition of its wearer, but the proposal could go further. GPS tracking devices are being looked at for people with Alzheimer's disease following a pilot program in Western Australia. In that study, satellite tracking and internet software were used by family members to keep tabs on dementia sufferers. So when do issues of personal safety overtake civil rights?
Australia 2020 Summit. After all the talk, what next?
21/04/2008
As the dust settles on the weekend's Australia 2020 Summit, Australia Talks asks how words are translated into action? The Summit has been a forum for big ideas but now, the age old problem. Talk is cheap, and action expensive.
We want your thoughts on how the 'blue skies' aspirations of a conference become innovation, change and reform.
Australia Talks and the Australia 2020 Summit - How do we foster a creative Australia?
17/04/2008
The final program in the Australia Talks 2020 summit coverage concentrates on the arts and our creative industries. What role does government have in supporting traditional art forms, and in promoting innovation?
Australians embrace culture on a wide variety of levels, but does cultural consumption equate to a creative country? According to the 2020 summit background paper on culture the role of government in the arts and culture is highly fragmented. With the help of our panellists we're asking:
How can we foster a population with wide-ranging intellectual and creative curiosity?
What skills does Australia need in emerging creative industries (for example, those which draw heavily on digital content)?
What benefits can new communication technology provide for arts and cultural organisations?
South Australian callers ring from 5.40pm local time to overcome the delay.
Consult the link below for access to Australia 2020 Summit background documents.
Australia Talks and the Australia 2020 Summit - How do we innovate?
14/04/2008
In the first of our programs leading up to the Australia 2020 Summit, we focus on the economy and sustainability. Underlying these issues is the question of Australia's capability for innovation. Do we need to innovate to meet the challenges of energy production, for example? We're picking up on some of the key questions posed by the Australia 2020 summit and we'll be joined by two of the co-chairs to listen and respond to YOUR ideas on the topic of the day. This is your chance to contribute to this national forum.
How does an economy with low private investment in research and development innovate?
Is Australia in a position to respond to the challenges and opportunities that we know about?
Are current regulatory regimes the best to respond to future challenges and opportunities?
What can be done to foster innovation in the workplace and encourage the transfer of ideas across businesses?
South Australian callers ring from 5.40pm local time to overcome the delay.
Consult the Australia 2020 summit link below for background documents on today's topic.
Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year
07/02/2008
This week the Macquarie Dictionary announced the winner of its WOTY (Word of the Year) competition 2007. An expert panel declared it to be 'pod slurping' - a noun to describe the downloading of large amounts of data to an MP3 player or a memory stick. Another favourite was 'infomania' to describe the almost pathological immediacy of attending to incoming messages on email, text and all kinds of other gadgets infomaniacs may have in their cache. What do you think? Do we need more new words and perhaps you've got your own new word?
