Friday essay: I had to crowdfund my cancer treatment in Australia’s ‘universal’ health-care system International

Friday essay: I had to crowdfund my cancer treatment in Australia’s ‘universal’ health-care system

Economic hardship is a lingering consequence of Brooke’s breast cancer treatment, more than 30 years ago – which she paid for by selling her wedding ring. The treatment left her debilitated, fatigued and unable to work for some time. Friends brought groceries and the Cancer Council provided some financial support, but Brooke needed to scrounge […]

Grattan on Friday: Albanese government gives ground on tax, but how much will it have to cede on the NDIS? International

Grattan on Friday: Albanese government gives ground on tax, but how much will it have to cede on the NDIS?

Only a little more than a year into its second term and with Pauline Hanson turning politics upside down, the Albanese government finds itself in policy quicksand on three core issues: its budget tax reforms, its wrestle to curb the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the electorally sensitive area of migration. On Thursday the government […]

Friday essay: despite the AI hype, some experts warn of a bubble – what happens if it pops? International

Friday essay: despite the AI hype, some experts warn of a bubble – what happens if it pops?

In the last few years, the hype around artificial intelligence has become stratospheric. Riding a wave of venture capital, tech leaders promised us AI would revolutionise work, boost productivity and lead to incredible new breakthroughs. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, set a new record when it attained US$110 billion in investments several months ago – […]