Opinion: Do positive affirmations work? A psychologist unpacks the evidence
While popular on social media, repeating positive affirmations isn’t a cure-all. A clinical psychologist unpacks the evidence behind self-affirmation, warning against the risks of “toxic positivity” and offering more effective alternatives like self-compassion.
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Opinion: Hey Angus, we’re the problem
RK Crosby says Angus Taylor is very wrong in pointing the finger at immigrants for the hate and violence… it’s coming from Australians.
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QW: Barnaby Joyce
I disagree wholeheartedly with Denise’s comments on Barnaby Joyce today. He got out of the national party because he was no longer aligned to their ideology, infighting with liberals, marriage on then off again. He saw what was happening in his own party. I saw him in the streets here in Bendemeer where I live and said to him, you are now on the right side of politics now you’re with One Nation.
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Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s political midlife crisis comes at New England’s expense
Watching the rise of Pauline Hanson and the renewed chatter about One Nation as a plausible alternative government, it is worth applying a simple test of reality.
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Opinion: What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes
The RBA has raised the cash rate to 3.85% to combat sticky inflation. Meg Elkins explains the psychology behind the decision and what the central bank hopes Australians will do next: spend less, save more, and temper wage demands.
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Opinion: Renewables over 50%, wholesale prices down – is the energy transition… succeeding?
Australia’s energy transition is finally paying off. For the first time, renewables and storage supplied over 50% of the grid’s power last quarter, driving wholesale prices down by 40%. Experts predict this could lead to lower household bills by mid-2026.
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Letter: Bush short-changed on populist rubbish
Former NSW Farmers President Mal Peters argues that complex government policy requires fact-based solutions, not “populist rubbish.” He predicts the “Barnaby Joyce train” will lose steam and warns that One Nation preferences could inadvertently keep Labor in power.
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Opinion: Can One Nation turn its polling hype into seats in parliament? History shows it will struggle
One Nation’s meteoric rise in the polls has sparked speculation about them becoming the official opposition. However, history shows the party often struggles to turn hype into seats due to internal dysfunction, scandals, and poor candidate vetting.
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Opinion: How right wing populism is damaging your brain
RK Crosby says right wing populist simple slogans and cheap lines are cognitively easy to process, deliver a nice dopamine hit, and make scared people feel safe. And we have to fight it.
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Opinion: Firefighters face repeat trauma. We learned how to reduce their risk of PTSD
First responders face high risks of PTSD, but new research shows it isn’t inevitable. A trial of the “SOLAR” mobile app – a confidential, self-led program teaching practical resilience skills – significantly reduced depression and trauma symptoms in firefighters.
Keep readingLetter: New England BESS projects get certainty with government contracts
Max Doogood argues that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are not as green as portrayed and pose safety risks to regional communities. He warns against foreign ownership and draws parallels to the failures of Telstra’s privatisation.
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Opinion: An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?
Generative AI now allows you to create a “digital twin” for your loved ones to interact with after you die. But this booming “grief tech” industry raises serious unanswered questions about copyright, privacy, and who actually owns your digital identity once you are gone.
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Opinion: The sad decline of the Bureau of Meteorology
Duane Groth argues the Bureau of Meteorology’s new website oversimplifies data, creating dangerous risks. He highlights issues with rainfall reporting, temperature minimums, and inaccurate UV forecasts, fearing a repeat of past disasters like Grantham.
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Denise’s Desk: Why backing One Nation is an experiment Australia can’t afford
Watching the rise of Pauline Hanson and the renewed chatter about One Nation as a plausible alternative government, it is worth applying a simple test of reality.
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Opinion: New research shows Australians support buying local for different reasons – and not all will pay more
As the “Australian Made” logo turns 40, new research reveals a divide in why we buy local. While older generations prioritize the economy and jobs, younger shoppers are driven by ethics and the environment – and are surprisingly more willing to pay a premium.
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Tips+Tricks: Why Brand Soul is Not Sentimental, It’s Commercial
Georgie Scott says that “brand soul” in founder-led businesses isn’t just sentimental; it’s a crucial commercial asset. She explains how scaling often dilutes this magic and why codifying founder instinct is key to long-term value creation.
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Opinion: We either believe in Human Rights for all or we don’t
Annabel Doherty from Armidale writes: An act of terrorism occurred on Noongar Country in Boorloo on 26 January 2026. The people targeted were supporting a First Nations Invasion Day event.
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Opinion: Ableism is the ism we refuse to see
RK Crosby says the ableism hides in plain sight, including in the NDIS.
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Roy’s Roundup: Lake Cargelligo tragedy, firearms laws & saving greyhound tracks
Roy Butler discusses the tragedy in Lake Cargelligo, efforts to wind back firearms legislation, and support for Warren flood victims. He also highlights “The Big Shout” charity, the inquiry into regional service delivery, and the fight to save greyhound tracks in Broken Hill.
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Would you use AI to break writer’s block? We asked 5 experts
Bloomsbury CEO Nigel Newton suggests AI can help authors beat writer’s block. Five creative writing experts weigh in, offering perspectives ranging from ethical concerns to accessibility benefits, highlighting the complex debate on AI in literature.
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