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Do the media and public treat PM Gillard differently because she's a woman?

Do the media and public treat PM Gillard differently because she's a woman?

07 Feb 2012, 3:21PM

A string of comments from political figures has ignited a debate over whether Prime Minister Julia Gillard is treated differently to her male predecessors by the press and the public. What do you think?

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Is Optus's TV Now good for sport?

Is Optus's TV Now good for sport?

02 Feb 2012, 2:59PM

Optus has won a landmark ruling allowing mobile phone users the ability to record live TV and watch it just a few minutes later, something the AFL, NRL and Telstra were all unhappy about as, they say, their copyright can be infringed.

The judge compared the service to using a home VCR. But for the football codes, a promising new revenue stream - mobile broadcasting rights - could be snuffed out before its potential is realised. What do you think? Is it good that more people will be able to access live sports (at least those which are being shown on TV), or does it put the funding of sports at risk?

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Should the government subsidise the car industry?

Should the government subsidise the car industry?

02 Feb 2012, 12:00AM

Auto maker Holden said it would cut around 100 jobs, blaming the strength of the Australian dollar, one week after fellow car giant Toyota sacked 350 workers.

The federal government pledged $A34 million to help prop up production at Ford's operations earlier this month, saying it was vital to maintain competition in the local market.
  
That followed a multi-billion-dollar lifeline to the nation's ailing auto industry at the height of the global financial crisis, after Ford cut 450 jobs. Should Canberra prop the Australian car industry?
  

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Should there be a ban on loud 'grunting' in tennis?

27 Jan 2012, 4:28PM

The Women's Tennis Association is looking into a ban on players making loud noises when they hit the ball. Do you think this is fair? And should men be subject to the same ban?

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Is racism widespread in Australia?

19 Jan 2012, 4:01PM

Australia still hasn't thrown off the scourge of racism, according to top neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo, who will give his Australia Day speech in Sydney next week.

The son of Chinese immigrants says he experienced it himself growing up and says his daughter is still being victimised. What do you think? Have you been a victim of racism or witnessed racist behaviour in Australia? What can be done to stamp out racism?

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Should Indigenous Australians be recognised in the Constitution 'as first occupiers'?

19 Jan 2012, 12:00AM

Indigenous Australians should be recognised in the body of the Constitution and racist sections should be scrapped, an expert panel advising the government has recommended.

The panel recommended inserting a new section (51A) to recognise that "the continent and its islands now known as Australia were first occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people." The new section would also acknowledge the continuing relationship of indigenous people with their traditional lands and waters. The expert panel also called for new section (116A) to prohibit racial discrimination. What do you think? Would such a move make a difference?

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Does the 'Stop Online Piracy Act' go too far?

17 Jan 2012, 4:36PM

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) under consideration in the US House of Representatives aims to crack down on online circulation of pirated American movies, music or other goods by forcing Internet companies to block access to foreign sites offering material that violates US copyright laws.

Supporters of the bill say it protects the intellectual property market and corresponding industry but critics say it would enable internet censorship and threaten free speech. What do you think?

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Is Australia doing enough to tackle Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean?

09 Jan 2012, 9:34AM

Australia has launched legal action against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean sanctuary, but there are calls for the government to take stronger action, ranging from top-level talks with Tokyo to sending a ship to the whale hunt area. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says a customs operation to pick up three Australian protesters who boarded a Japanese security vessel in the Southern Ocean will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Should taxpayers foot the bill to release the activists?

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Should marijuana be legalised?

06 Jan 2012, 10:01AM

A report in the Lancet medical journal has found that Australia and New Zealand have the highest rate of marijuana use in the world: 10 to 15 per cent of people aged between 15 and 64 smoked it in the two countries over the last year.

The report also found that around the world, the emphasis on the criminalisation of drug use (both marijuana and harder substances, from ampehtamines to heroin) "has contributed to the spread of HIV, increased imprisonment for minor offences, and contributed to legitimising extremely punitive national policies."

With the relatively high use of marijuana amongst the general population, do you think it should be legalised in Australia?

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Should Canberra politicians get a pay rise?

15 Dec 2011, 4:17PM

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's salary will rise to $481,000 and backbenchers will get a base rate of $185,000 from 2012, under a plan released today by the Remuneration Tribunal.

The review -- which needs the parliament's approval before it comes into effect -- found that politicians effectively had two jobs: their electorate and parliamentary work, and that  backbenchers deserved a base pay of $185,000 (up from $141,000). What do you think?