Indigenous Australians face a stark challenge: with a median age at death of just 63, around four years below pension eligibility, many never live long enough to claim the age pension, exposing deep retirement inequities.
New England Times Engage
Posted inOpinion, Social
1 in 8 households don’t have the money to buy enough food
Around one in eight Australian households, or 1.3 million people, could not afford enough food in 2023. Rising housing and energy costs are cutting into food budgets, forcing families to buy less nutritious food or skip meals.
Posted inNational, Opinion
Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US
Australia is moving toward a national CDC set to launch in 2026. To succeed, it must learn from the US by staying independent and transparent while protecting public health from political influence and bureaucratic chaos.
Posted inQuick Word
QW: Tamworth nurse says management is the problem
Sammy from Tamworth says the reason nurses are miserable is the managers. A fish rots from the head. Why put more pressure on disillusioned nurses hanging in there by our teeth? It’s the bloody management!!
Posted inNational
Reforming Australia’s migration to favour skilled workers, not family reunion
Australia’s migration programme has failed to deliver what it promises. It brings in relatively few genuinely skilled workers, while favouring family migration.
Posted inSocial
Mr Squiggle entertained Australia’s children for 40 years. Now, he’s back in the spotlight
For 40 years, Mr Squiggle turned children’s scribbles into magic with his pencil nose. Now, the beloved man from the Moon is back in the spotlight at the National Museum of Australia’s new exhibition.
Posted inLetters, Political
Letter: Trains’ needs need raising in parliament
Rick Banyard says the New England is being strangled by the lack of rail transport, yet Parliament raised barely a murmur. He urges MPs to get on track and deliver safer, faster, and environmentally sound trains for the region.
Posted inLetters
Letter: business training offers inmates a fresh start
Patty Fulloon says training over 100 inmates at Glen Innes Correctional Centre has been the pinnacle of her 20-year career. She hopes community business leaders will give these men a chance, as many are transformed and ready for a positive future.
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Anti-Immigration vs. Scapegoating Immigrants for the Failures of the State
Siri Gamage says: Immigrants aren’t the problem — they’ve become pawns in a bigger political game. The real issue is rising costs, poor planning, and neglect of regional infrastructure and connectivity.
Posted inQuick Word
QW: Yaaay! Well done!
Deni from Armidale says: I can now say, on FB, that you are ‘open for business’…and ask if people would not only write to you, but hopefully donate a little. I’m sure there are many younger people than I who could afford a small weekly or fortnightly donation. 🤞🤞