Comment

SMH Editorials

Public Service travel bill deserves an explanation

SMH editorial dinkus PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE OR CHANGE THIS CAPTION - EVER !!! THIS MEANS YOU !!!

If video conferencing technology is good enough for Government portals to allow regional Australians to discuss abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, skin conditions, whooping cough and diarrhea with health experts then surely it is up to the challenge of letting public servants interact with one another.

The good, bad and ugly reality of budget 2017

Scott Morrison has a tough sales job ahead.

Given an election could be more than two years' away, this should budget should embark on large-scale tax and economic reform. As it is, infrastructure may be the best we can expect.

Toss another pork barrel on the barbie

Barnaby Joyce wants more federal government functions moved to regional centres, like Armidale in his electorate.

Ad hoc attempts from the top down to decentralise departmental functions are unlikely to succeed at any time, and especially when there is no co-ordinated approach including state and local governments.

Daddy, we still hardly know you

Sun-Herald editorial dinkus.

We all know about motherhood issues – motherhood being a proposition no one can oppose. But what about fatherhood? On this issue, it seems our society's views are more equivocal.

Tribal drums herald Giants v Swans clash

The Giants' Shane Mumford and the Swans' Kurt Tippett square off in the semi-final last September.

Tribalism is the foundation of AFL club loyalty in the southern states. Babies are born into their team's colours. The Swans and the Giants need that if they are to challenge the century-plus dominance of rugby league in Sydney.

Putting science at the centre of society

Chief scientist Alan Finkel says science once again seems under threat.

While there are concerns about the framing of the March for Science in Australia, the Herald hopes it will contribute to a strengthening of rationality and scientific expertise in public policy.

Targeted solutions needed for unaffordable housing

Home ownership is out of reach for increasing numbers of city dwellers.

The steps taken now should be closely tuned to fairness and equity, to help the people who'll have trouble buying a place of their own even if the median Sydney house price stalls at the current level of more than $1.1 million.