Higher education isn't just about filling jobs
The positive effects of a highly educated population range from reduced crime rates to better health.
The Age Editorials
A cowardly failure to uphold Olympic values
Through a lack of courage and conviction, the IOC has missed a much-needed opportunity to restore integrity to the Olympics, which have for years been undermined by doping and drugs scandals.
Indonesia’s cruel death penalty
The Indonesian system for administering the death penalty is woeful and arbitrary.
Cause for cautious hope on climate policy
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s move to combine the energy and environment portfolios and place them in the charge of one of the government’s most competent ministers, Josh Frydenberg, might well lead to better policies on climate change.
Police must interview Pell for sake of justice
Cardinal Pell should return to Australia to face police questioning. However, should he again argue he is too unwell to travel, Victoria Police could and should send detectives to Rome.
Indefinite detention risks balance of rights
Australia has granted security agencies extraordinary powers to investigate and pre-empt terrorist plots.
NT probe welcome, but only part of abuse fix
Only a third of the NT population is Aboriginal, yet 97 per cent of juveniles in detention there are Indigenous.
Why a PM of honour should dump plebiscite
The only thing that will happen when we have same-sex marriage is people in love will get married. Get on with it.
Disability scheme deserves all our support
The NDIS is not about charity; it is about equality of opportunity.
Make America think again
American democracy has always had a carnival aspect, but with Donald Trump, a clown is now centre stage.
Homelessness solution within our means
Homelessness is an increasingly prominent problem in Melbourne.
Younger generations are falling behind
Overall poverty has eased, but the good news is tempered by a growing generational gap in wealth.
Russian team should be banned from Rio Games
Russia has forfeited its right to participate in the Rio Olympic Games.
Dark clouds of global unease
Faith in the principles of democracy is being tested by tragic events.
One Nation's flawed platform will collapse
Although One Nation had some support in a handful of electorates, it is basically a fringe group.
High-speed rail plan must meet public interest
A new proposal to link Melbourne and Sydney by rail in under three hours is as much a real estate play as a transport initiative.
MH17 victims deserve justice
The passing of the years should not diminish the quest for the perpetrators of the attack on MH17 to be found.
Government must stick with fair super changes
We urge Mr Turnbull to have the courage to rebuff the recalcitrants in his party.
E-voting the next democratic revolution
Our system of voting is clunky, archaic and open to error and fraud. A digital alternative should be explored.
China must heed ruling or face global backlash
Should China persist with its apparent disdain for international law, the international community will have little choice but to launch a united effort to contain this emerging superpower.