Raise the age proposal slammed by experts
VMers, we have spoken out about raising the legal incarceration age many times. And this week Australia’s Attorneys-General agreed to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. But is it enough? We think not.
Long run to equality
With the Tokyo Olympics set to go ahead, the focus has once again shifted to its athletes, specifically to its female cohort. Why? This year’s Olympics will feature the most female athletes ever while the body has symbolically appointed 12 women to its executive board. Hype or monumental shift? We let you decide.
Here we go again
And just like that, half the Australian population is stuck at home again. Having lockdown fatigue (thinking of you, Melbourne) and wondering how to get through this latest episode of Groundhog Day? Here are some ways to help you stay on the right side of sanity.
On “outsourcing” parenting
Recent suggestions by members of the Coalition that “women are outsourcing parenting” by sending their kids to childcare is archaic and unhelpful. Parents are critical but young children need relationships with others to develop social and cognitive skills. Quality childcare also removes barriers for women to re-enter the workforce.
Surviving in the Australian bush
As the rental crisis deepens, news is surfacing of our own version of Nomadland. Homeless people are forced into remote campsites and mixing in with the grey nomad crowd who are facing – once again – COVID border closures. The call of the Australian outback is real for many but does reality match up?
No freedom for refugees
The budget just allocated billions more to immigration detention. A few days ago, new legislation was passed that could see refugees detained indefinitely. All that comes among reports that some refugees have been waiting many years for their claims to be asylum cases to be decided. What will happen to them now?
Australia’s foreign aid spend lowest it’s ever been
Australia’s foreign aid as a share of national income has hit an all-time low. Right now, we are investing the least ever in overseas aid. With the ongoing pandemic wrecking the lives of millions in India alone, shouldn’t we be increasing our spend to help vulnerable countries deal with COVID?
Adversity setting up kids for hardship
Most children can name 10 letters by the time they’re five. Now, a new study shows that a proportion of Australian kids don’t have the skills they need to learn to read, setting them behind before they even enter primary school. Why is this and what can be done
Ending Aboriginal deaths in custody
Three decades on from the royal commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the situation has worsened. Since the report’s findings were originally handed down in 1991, a further 474 Indigenous Australians have been killed in custody – five of those occurring last month. Here, we look at the full picture…
Pay gap unlikely to close soon
We know that women retire with 45% less super than men on average. Now, findings of a seven-year study shows the pay gap in Australia is unlikely to close for another 26 years due to current workplace attitudes. Here’s how we can get there quicker.
