Opinion pieces

131 - 140 of 143 results

Looking for God on the campaign trail

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The power of the Christian right or the so-called ‘moral majority’ has always loomed large over politics in the United States. The impact here in Australia of a Christian voting bloc has generally held much less power and attention.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Election, Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, Tim Costello

What about our relations with the rest of the world?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Regardless of who wins the election, in the days following August 21, we are guaranteed to hear about a congratulatory call from US President Obama. The Prime Minister and the President will discuss the war in Afghanistan, and undoubtedly our ‘special relationship’ with ‘our closest ally’ the United States will be reaffirmed.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, AUSAID, Australian Government, Election, Foreign Aid, G20, Millennium Development Goals, President Obama, Tim Costello, United Nations

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

Helping hand will fit like a glove in cabinet

Monday, August 2, 2010

In an election campaign so far devoid of foreign policy initiatives, the bipartisan commitment to growing Australia’s aid budget is gratifying. Yet the increasing portfolio size and need for rigorous oversight across AusAID’s development efforts points squarely to the need for a Cabinet-level minister for overseas aid.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, AUSAID, Australian Government, Foreign Aid, NGO, Tim Costello

Australia Can Have Stronger Borders and a Bigger Heart

Saturday, June 19, 2010

The politics of asylum seekers is both deflating and confounding. Little wonder, Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, in an unguarded moment, reflected on his frustrations over the issue which he said ‘was killing the government’.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Asylum Seekers, Australian Government, Foreign Aid, Refugees, Tim Costello

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

Outback escape can be a better life

Friday, June 5, 2009

Gary Johns (Myth of outback escape is unrealistic, Australian 4June 2009) is wrong to argue that life in the outback is joyless for Indigenous people. For many people it is a peaceful, happier and healthier existence. Of course for some it isn’t. But this is no different to urban life which is good for some but not everyone.

Opinion Pieces, Indigenous Australians, Asia and the Pacific, Aboriginal, Australian Government, Dr Mark Moran, Human Rights, Indigenous

A narrow G20 agenda will harm the poor

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The efforts of the nearly 200 nations who pledged, through the Millennium Development Goals, to halve world poverty by 2015 are being dismantled by the global financial crisis. Without a concerted effort on a global scale, another 53 million or more people are likely to be pushed back into extreme poverty.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Foreign Aid, G20, Global Financial Crises, Millennium Development Goals, Tim Costello, United Nations

New approach needed in Gaza crisis

Friday, January 30, 2009

Investigating potential war crimes is essential, there is no doubt. But this will not do a thing for the children who are waiting for food and help to arrive, children who have seen things they should never have seen.

Opinion Pieces, Emergencies, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Child Deaths, Conflict, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Tim Costello