Big Ideas - Full Program Podcast

Change is constant in society, even if we can’t see it. So how likely is it we can even begin to predict what the future might look like for productivity and innovation, and do we have the means to do so? 

The war in Ukraine has galvanized the western world. It’s history writ large. We see the long shadow of the Second World War. The unfinished business of the Cold War. And the dream of unity in the European Union and NATO. Why did Putin invade and what are the possible outcomes?

The notion of reconciliation has been discussed in Australian politics for forty years, but are we any closer to achieving a meaningful reconciliation with First Nations people in Australia? How can we possibly move forward if we don't reconcile with our past?

Why are arts and culture so important to as Australians? Is it because we are home to the world’s oldest living culture, and the cultural stories and practices of First Nations Australians? The stereotype is that we are a sports obsessed mob but, truth be told, more of us attend art galleries and cultural institutions than go to sporting events. Arts leader, philanthropist, and businessmen, Rupert Myer, outlines how a National Cultural Plan would ensure we increase the value of our cultural inheritance, and nurture our arts and culture sector.

Australians say they believe in equal opportunity and equality. But is that the reality for women at home and at work ? Three female leaders discuss the roadblocks and the way forward for gender equality. ABC TV also raids the National Gallery collection to discover female artists in The Exhibitionists.

Democracy has existed since the Greeks came up with it as a form of government in the 5th Century BC, but as the 21st Century deepens the democratic norms are being challenged, and flaws are being exposed as never before. Is it broken? Can we fix it?  

Economists use gross domestic product as a measure of progress but increased GDP doesn't guarantee a good life for all. Bhutan adds social, health and environmental factors to the mix to measure gross national happiness. And we hear the story of three trailblazing female war reporters who rewrote the rule book in Vietnam.

By electrifying virtually everything, we can solve the climate change crisis. Electric vehicles, electric heating, electric cooking, a decarbonised grid – all powered by renewables and batteries. This is the future Australia should be pursuing, argues inventor and entrepreneur, Saul Griffith. He says the electric revolution starts in the home, will lead to far cheaper energy costs, as well as creating new jobs, and lucrative new exports.

We’re tempted to buy products and support companies who say they’re looking after the planet but are their claims real or just greenwashing? And how can universities recover after two years of pandemic restrictions on staff and students?

The 2021 John Button Oration asks what sort of economic future we want to leave for the next generation. How can today’s policymakers better reflect tomorrow’s voices? Plus, what would a sustainable, and human-centred, economy look like? Is changing the system even possible, or is it in the realm of Utopia?  

Research indicates that social connection, spending time with friends, and sharing a meal, are vital ingredients for a healthy life - especially as we age. This is also an antidote to loneliness, which is a major social problem. What else contributes to living well, later in life? How do we continue to live fulfilling lives, into old age?

All aspects of our lives have been changed by Covid, and politics and politicians have felt the tremors too. What is our current relationship like, and what do we want from our government?

Some 116,000 people experience homelessness every night in Australia, and that number is expected to grow. What is it like to be homeless? What do those who've been in that awful circumstance think is the answer?

The crisis in Afghanistan Six months after the withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan, it is clear the embattled country is in the midst of a major humanitarian crisis. Millions are at risk of starvation, the economy is on the verge of collapse, and a mood of despair has taken hold. Is Australia, and the West, doing enough to help struggling Afghans? Speakers: Antony Loewenstein - independent journalist; filmmaker; author. Maryam Zahid - founder and director of Afghan Women on the Move; Afghan refugee.

When was the last time you visited a museum? Museums are popular with adults and children alike and the multi-media exhibitions make subjects come alive in a unique way. So are museums uniquely suited to communicating complex science and social issues? Could they help us win the war against climate change?

Australia’s been a member of the OECD for the last fifty years. Former federal politician Mathias Corman is now the Secretary General.  The OECD’s claim to fame is its comparative analysis on economic and social policy. Australian educators, for example, use OECD benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of our education system. Mathias Cormann talks about the OECD agenda for climate change, multinational tax reform and market economies.

Should we criminalise coercive control - an insidious form of domestic violence, used to control, humiliate, and intimidate another person? Women, and older Australians, are often the targets of coercive and controlling behaviour, but it is difficult to prevent and police. Some argue this is because existing laws are inadequate. Would a criminal offence outlawing coercive control make a difference? 

India’s struggle to contain the COVID 19 virus made international headlines. ABC South Asia Correspondent James Oaten witnessed the devastating mark the pandemic left on the country firsthand.

The international think tank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), has called for a wholesale review of monetary policy in Australia, but what should be up for discussion?

A study examining the safety and security of migrant and refugee women in Australia found one in three of those surveyed experienced some form of domestic and family violence, including coercive and controlling behaviour. This was often exacerbated by insecure visas. Many migrant and refugee women found it difficult to seek help, and there was a lack of trust in the institutions that are meant to assist them