Climate change and the arts are two prime examples of areas where seems difficult to apply this metric-based approach. I am curious about alternatives. What if everyone had a smartphone? Could we something radically different emerge?

The Government and Labor Opposition often cite the importance of “national security”, most frequently in the context of countering terrorism and Islamic extremism. But there is no extant national security policy and strategy, and little public debate on this critical topic that should concern all Australians.

Society places great importance on good grades for a good future, but the reality after university looks bleak for so many students – especially Bachelor of Arts students. Even those graduating from top universities struggle to find work in their field. Why has university undergraduate degrees become obsolete? Why is my cohort filled with bitterness and disappointment at the end of their studies, rather than hope for the future?

Because new waves of migrants continue to make healthy, happy new futures in Australia while the Aboriginal people seem to suffer continued low employment and poor health.

French? Garlic, butter, snails and frogs. Italian? Pasta, cured meats and tomatoes. American? Burgers, gumbo, lobster. Australian…?

How do we define what makes Australian food Australian? Our national dishes – meat pie, pavlova, lamington – are cobbled together from the cuisines of other countries. We’ve got a century or more of food culture under our belt now, but it’s still so hard to define what makes Australian food Australian.

This question is something that has caused me to lose sleep for many years.

This has been a conspicuous problem with the Howard and Abbott governments, but always a potential one. In the case of climate change it is particularly pressing to take positive action ( see Naomi Klein -This changes everything). Refugee policy would be another issue.

Every day the world grows smaller. Slowly but steadily, it’s becoming easier to exchange opinions, ideas, and culture. Sure, there’s a strong argument for identity, economic growth, and security, but perhaps it is equally as important to recognise that we are all humans on the same team. Especially in light of the recent refugee crisis, are borders becoming redundant, and is the idea of a country really necessary?

I think it is the answer that will bring about the most help in the world.

The NDIS is one enormous quango (QUasi-Autonomous National Government Organisation). My gut feeling is that three or four fold the amount of money given to people with a disability through their NDIS funding package has gone on the salaries and infrastructure of those setting up the system and those administering it. In my opinion, just one of the many downfalls of the system introduced.

We seem to be obsessed with them and I wonder if this speaks to our national character