Local Futures

February 8, 2016

Australia Floundering In A Digital Revolution…

Here is a retweeted 21st century wake-up call from John Sheridan Brisbane-based CEO of Business Digital Insights. As John sums up: revolutions aren’t easy and Australia is struggling as “governments, corporates and vendors of all kinds have to deal with […]
February 4, 2016

Indefinite Detention: WHAT Is Being Done In Our Name?

Offshore/indefinite detention is about politics. It is a cynical political bipartisan ploy. In the name of the taxpayers, who fund the very expensive offshore detention process, the policy claims a shaky moral high ground. BUT, does preventing drownings justify inhumane […]
February 3, 2016

Policy Focus Wrong. Enough For ALL Public Housing Needs!

“[Today] the challenge is to address the disconnect between supply and occupancy. When there are three times as many empty houses as there are homeless people, we know the policy focus is just wrong. Government must do more than create […]
January 20, 2016

Kids In Detention – Apalling – Politicians, Get Real!

This morning we hear that OUR Government – on OUR behalf – is transferring 72 asylum seeker kids back to Nauru, despite so many recent reports stating that the conditions there do not meet basic human rights standards. It is […]
January 19, 2016

2016 Anomaly: Employers Hiring But Job Seekers Despondent

A new report ‘Amplifying Human Potential: Education and Skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution’ has been picked up today by The Age. Based on a survey of 9000 young people in the US, Britain, Germany, France, India, China and Australia, […]
January 15, 2016

NZ Reforms A Guide For Australia? 10 Measurable Goals For Better Public Services

There is speculation that PM Turnbull is interested in following New Zealand social security and welfare reforms to get better results for government expenditure. Economist David Crowe foresees resistance in Australia to similar reforms, from Labor and community groups. As […]
January 11, 2016

Join The Disrupters. Pause Fest 10-14 Feb Melbourne

Pause Fest organisers say: “Digital disruption has changed the way consumers behave and businesses operate. To truly understand what this means for you and your business, the conference program has been designed around the pillars of the startup – Creative, […]
August 2, 2015

The Booing, The Discomfort…Why? What To Do?

I have to agree with James Packer, the booing of Adam Goodes has made me feel uncomfortable and ashamed too. Where are we with this? Waleed Aly’s clear analysis of the booing made sense to me, as did
July 31, 2015

Seal Dilemma In SA – Fishing Industry vs Tourism Industry

A breeding boom amongst long-nosed fur seals, also known as new Zealand fur seals, means more than 500 tonnes of fish a day are being ‘chewed through’ according to fishermen in the Coorong/Murray Lakes fishery region. Without a cull the […]
July 31, 2015

Are Pollies Listening? No More ‘Pink Batts Style’ Disasters…

The union warning to Building Ministers at Melbourne forum today: “As you are aware, 90 per cent of employers in the building trade have reported non-conforming products in their supply chains and this problem is only going to get worse […]
July 5, 2015

FASES – Can You Help Give Social Enterprise Voice?

Can you help provide insight into Australian social enterprise? FASES (Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector) is investigating the changing scope and needs of our social enterprises. Social Traders and the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at Swinburne Uni are conducting […]
June 8, 2015

Aussie Soccer Initiative For Kenyan Refugee Camp

How wonderful to see a positive Australian initiative towards refugees, with the establishment of the Barefoot to Boots Foundation! Barefoot To Boots Here is an Australian project to give football (soccer!) boots, shirts and balls to refugees in the Kakuma […]