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20 March 2026
Australia’s under-16 social media ban is a starting point, not an end point. The first 100 days offer early lessons on what will matter most if the policy is to work for young people.
Jo Orlando
Jo Orlando
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16 March 2026
Expanding voluntary work options for younger people receiving unemployment payments could strengthen communities while offering a meaningful alternative to current employment programs.
Alex Baumann and Emily Wolfinger
9 March 2026
As digital systems increasingly control how Australians work, government legislation is needed to protect employment standards and workers’ rights.
Andreas Pekarek and Josh Healy
26 February 2026
Integrity agencies need confidentiality powers, but those powers should be subject to time limits, review mechanisms and transparency standards.
Michael Stuckey
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9 February 2026
Gentle density can play an important role in addressing Australia’s housing challenges. Here are three ways governments can design planning systems to deliver it at scale.
Danika Adams
19 January 2026
Fact-checking alone cannot protect democratic debate. Australia’s misinformation policy should shift from policing individual falsehoods to ensuring digital platforms provide information environments that support informed public judgment.
Francesco Bailo, Rob Nicholls and Daniel Gozman
14 January 2026
When AI-generated visuals are used in health, aged care, or community outreach campaigns, they risk undermining the trust of older Australians. Age-inclusive image standards and clear transparency rules can support engagement of ageing populations.
Neeru Sharma and Johra Kayeser Fatima
Why Australia needs a healthier information ecosystem, not just fact-checks
Fact-checking alone cannot protect democratic debate. Australia’s misinformation policy should shift from policing individual falsehoods to ensuring digital platforms provide information environments that support informed public judgment.
Perfect faces, imperfect fit: Why AI-generated campaigns miss the mark for older Australians
When AI-generated visuals are used in health, aged care, or community outreach campaigns, they risk undermining the trust of older Australians. Age-inclusive image standards and clear transparency rules can support engagement of ageing populations.
The Policymaker in 2025: our most-read articles
Another fantastic year of articles on the Policymaker which has continued to grow as a leading platform for solutions-led policy ideas sharing! Here are our five most popular articles from this year.
Protecting First Nations communities from frequent power disconnections in Australia’s hottest regions
Remote First Nations communities face extreme heat and frequent disconnections from electricity when pre-paid credit runs out. Targeted policies could prevent life-threatening outages.
The cost of power: how can Australia build a resilient clean energy market?
Prioritising renewable energy is a strategic foundation for a stronger, more adaptable, and future-ready energy market that can thrive for decades to come. A diverse suite of policies is essential to support Australia’s transition toward a more reliable, affordable and lower emissions energy system.
From concrete to canopies: making nature accessible for all children
Education and planning policies should be coordinated to ensure all children have access to nature-based play opportunities for their physical and social enrichment.
Fixing Australia’s constitutional paralysis
Australia’s “double majority” referendum system for constitutional change has become a handbrake on common sense reform. It is high time we consider alternatives that harness Australia’s robust, existing institutions of representative democracy to enact critical reforms to our basic law.
Bridging public trust in AI: why inclusive AI governance is essential public infrastructure
In the context of fragmented global governance and mixed outcomes for AI, governments should prioritise building public trust through proactive civic engagement and regulatory innovation.
Setting Australian talent free
Non-compete clauses slow wage growth, reduce labour mobility and are a drag on productivity. Removing these restrictive terms can boost workers’ choices while driving sustainable economic growth.
Accelerating Australia’s renewables transition
Australia has an opportunity to capitalise on its natural advantages and political shifts to accelerate its Net Zero transition. Attracting investment and the best global talent – while providing regulatory and market certainty through a carbon price – are critical policy levers.
