Opinion pieces

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The World's Generous Bushfire Response Highlights Our Foreign Aid Hypocrisy

Monday, January 20, 2020

Foreign aid is often not the saviour people expect. Instead, it is confronting, a last resort and often received sadly. The reasons countries are given aid -- the traumas, the catastrophes, the crises and the chronic issues -- are often so damaging to individual and collective pride, worth and utility.

Opinion Pieces, Climate change, Asia and the Pacific, Climate Change

Climate reports strengthen action and support efforts

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

In the muddied, often toxic climate change debate, it is difficult from media reports to work out the significance of the latest round of expert findings. But on the eve of the next international climate change forum at Durban in South Africa we have seen in recent weeks the release of three key reports. And what is clear is that each report challenges some of the justifications made for delaying decisive action against climate change.

Opinion Pieces, Climate change, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Climate Change, David Lansley, Global Energy Crises

Poor will pay the price to cut emissions

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

While Australians grapple with the idea of putting a price on carbon and the impact on their fuel and grocery bills, in many developing countries the choice looks more like a trade-off between national development out of poverty and global action to limit climate change.

Opinion Pieces, Climate change, Asia and the Pacific, Climate Change, Environment, International Development, Tim Costello

This election, put your vote to work for someone who needs change in their lives

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Most of us are sick of hearing about Julia Gillard’s hair, or Tony Abbott’s Speedos. But trivia aside, one of these people will lead the country. Will you vote for the old Julia? The ‘real’ Julia? Tony Abbott? The Greens? Or will you take Mark Latham’s advice, and not vote for anyone?

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Climate Change, Election, Foreign Aid, Humanitarian, Julia Gillard, Tim Costello, Tony Abbott

A different vision for a 'big' Australia

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I am in favour of a big Australia. But I don't mean a big Australia in population terms which has dominated so much of the federal election campaign. I mean a nation that is big in terms of its vision, its compassion and in identifying its place in the region and the world.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, AUSAID, Australian Government, Climate Change, Election, Foreign Aid, International Development, Tim Costello, Tony Abbott

Tim Costello: please, no ‘funny money’ games with the poor

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

We have seen in recent weeks how a lack of honesty and transparency has devastated Melbourne Storm fans. In Greece, we are seeing the consequences for a government that has not been frank about its finances. As tomorrow’s Federal Budget looms, it is vital that the Australian government avoids similar funny money games and is transparent in the outlay of all its funds.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Climate Change, Foreign Aid, Millennium Development Goals, Tim Costello, United Nations

On Youth Decide

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Through social media like Twitter and Facebook, young people are connected and speaking to each other like never before. But on the issue of climate change, I believe we are not being heard in one very important place: Canberra.

Opinion Pieces, Climate change, Asia and the Pacific, Alana Smith, Australian Government, Climate Change, Environment, Young People