What are the problems that money solves? Are there other solutions?
    7+

    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?

    Asked by:
    Emmanuel
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    Fundamentally are our world governments purely self-interested and corrupt?
    4+
    Asked by:
    ADi
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    What is Australia’s “national security” policy and strategy?
    2+

    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.

    Asked by:
    Michael G. Smith
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    Why should I even bother studying hard and going to university when the public don’t respect my field & there are no job opportunities?
    3+

    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?

    Asked by:
    Kain
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    Does the Aboriginal culture of family and sharing help or hinder their position in Australian society? And is migration an added threat?
    5+

    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.

    Asked by:
    @janusflytrap
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    What is Australian cuisine?
    13+

    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.

    Asked by:
    @mcgorgomagan
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    Trees that have been hit by lightning won’t burn and therefore are no good for firewood – why?
    16+

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

    Asked by:
    John Knapper
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    How can politicians keep better pace with public opinion? Particularly on need for more radical action on climate change but also on same sex marriage.
    0

    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.

    Asked by:
    Cate Lewis
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    Will we ever get to a point where the concept of a country is obsolete?
    23+

    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?

    Asked by:
    Frankey C
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    Why does it take something to happen to ‘you’ before one shows compassion to others in the same circumstance or before one ‘understands’?
    16+

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

    Asked by:
    Ally
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    If the NDIS funds 450k people with a disability, and the ABS lists 750k with severe or profound disability, who’s funding the remaining 300,000 people?
    5+

    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.

    Asked by:
    Sue
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    How can we resolve the conflict between the subjective centrality of our lives & awareness of its objective insignificance?
    8+
    Asked by:
    @weekly_service
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    Why is Australian politics dominated by the sway of opinion polls?
    5+

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

    Asked by:
    Troy McBeath
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