'Australia's system of privatised employment services is structurally broken and its prized federal contracts are being used to enrich millionaires and private equity firms’. Check out ABC's coverage of our latest report (and, non-Aussies, find out what 'rorting' means). cictar.org/news/abc/job...

ABC coverage of new CICTAR report on Australia’s outsourced jobseeker system — Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research

Media coverage of CICTAR’s report on the Australia’s outsourcing of its jobseeker system

cictar.org

📣 📣 📣 The Australian Social Policy Conference draft program is now available on our website: www.aspc2026.com/program Check it out and register to join us for what promises to be an excellent #ASPC2026 in sunny ☀️ Meeanjin / Brisbane, at The University of Queensland - 30 Sep-2 Oct 2026 🫶

well well well

ABC News Australia@news.abc.net.au · 2mo ago

ICAC hears timelines, tender and KordaMentha University of Wollongong contract issues

Hugely important story from Queensland where Indigenous people are being dropped from any positions of influence. This is just the start. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

Qld minister tight-lipped about 'Project Invisibility' Indigenous sackings

Under the direction of Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek, eight Indigenous directors have disappeared from the boards of south-east Queensland's cultural institutions.

abc.net.au

Early bird registration still available until 30 June for the Australian Social Policy Conference at UQ

Australian Social Policy Conference 2026@aspc2026.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Come and join us at the 2026 Australian Social Policy Conference (#ASPC2026), being hosted at The University of Queensland (UQ) from Sept 30 - Oct 2 this year! Registrations are now open! www.aspc2026.com/registration

Well done to @antipovertycentre.org on the new mini doco youtube.com/watch?v=AO8U...

No room to breathe: Centrelink's welfare compliance regime

YouTube video by Antipoverty Centre

youtube.com

A major new study has looked at the impact of the Australian welfare system on the rates of suicide It concludes that effective suicide prevention would mean raising JobSeeker payments & replacing punitive mutual obligations (such as Work for the Dole) adelaide.edu.au/about/news/2...

So while we are sharing stories about how utterly useless JSPs are let me share a few anecdotes. I'm currently under-employed & still required to deal with these fuckers. I've had 2 appointments. First impression - I'm sat in a waiting room with stained carpet & chairs.

Tomorrow Travis Lovett will complete his final leg of the National Walk for Truth at Parliament House in Canberra. Show your support by signing and sharing the open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to commit to a national Truth Telling process. www.walkfortruth.com/pledge

OUT NOW! 'Growing Restorative Regulation’ presents a practical alternative to punitive regulation, showing how dialogue, accountability and restorative justice principles can help repair harm and build lasting compliance. Get your copy: doi.org/10.22459/GRR.2026

Reminder, Australia has the most expensive secondary schooling IN THE WORLD... australiainstitute.org.au/post/austral...

Come and join us at the 2026 Australian Social Policy Conference (#ASPC2026), being hosted at The University of Queensland (UQ) from Sept 30 - Oct 2 this year! Registrations are now open! www.aspc2026.com/registration

A new study on Robodebt, welfare convictions, and mental health is looking for participants. If you were part of the Robodebt class action or if you were convicted of a welfare offence between 2001 and 2011, the project researchers would like to hear from you. How to take part: buff.ly/moRimj6

Another major problem. You can save a lot of money by using an AI assistant instead of a human. But then you are not training anyone to take up principal roles. AI threatens the death of informal apprenticeship.

Jo Wolff@jowolff.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Excellent event. The expert panel outlined various threats from AI but the thought I was left with is the threat that AI is shaping us in its own image, dominating our mental life, constraining our thought and imagination. The panel stressed the importance of developing our own creativity.

"the second gilded age" does sound cooler than "billionaire psychopaths scouring the earth"

Good decision and statement! 👏👏 "(...) preserving the integrity and reliability of the ACL proceedings is our responsibility and these measures are necessary to uphold the standards of our community and to ensure that the work published remains a credible resource for future scientific inquiry."

The government’s scrapping of the fees-free scheme saves money but doesn’t solve deeper inequalities that shape who enrols in tertiary education in the first place.

NZ’s costly fees-free scheme did little to widen access to tertiary education – new study

theconversation.com

Work with us! Melbourne Social Equity Institute is hiring a Level B Research Fellow for a 12 month, full-time role. The successful applicant will shape evidence on social enterprise, inclusive work and community wellbeing. unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/UoM_Ex...

No one in govt is talking about before the budget, but just FYI, the level of Jobseeker is now 42% below the poverty line - worse than it was during the Howard years... live.thepoint.com.au

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m... Peak academia

French professor accused of ‘gigantic hoax’ after inventing Nobel-style prize

Authorities investigate Florent Montaclair over award given to himself and others including Noam Chomsky

theguardian.com

My Applied Qualitative Methods students spent this semester working collaboratively on a project for the local school district. Today, I asked them to share their biggest takeaway from the course. And the answer that hit me hardest came from a quiet econ major, who said, "The joy of losing control."

Oh look it’s a Parliamentary Library brief on universalism v means testing in social services www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...

Universal access versus targeting of social services

Key issues The Australian welfare state is facing significant demographic, economic and political challenges, which are likely to require a reconsideration of the structure and fun...

aph.gov.au

Laws introduced to restrict protest in the wake of the Bondi terror attack found to be unconstitutional - they impermissibly burden freedom of political communication www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...?

NSW’s highest court strikes down anti-protest law introduced in wake of Bondi beach terror attack

Court finds law – which effectively meant protesters could not march without risk of arrest – is unconstitutional

theguardian.com

Just stumbled upon this wonderful guide to trauma-informed pedagogy from the Australian Historical Association. What a great resource this is! Thank you @austhistassoc.bsky.social theaha.org.au/wp-content/u...

ANU governing body must go region.com.au/serious-misc...

'Serious misconduct' allegations: New Genevieve Bell controversy prompts call for ANU Council spill | Region Canberra

Revelations that former ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has been suspended from her role as distinguished professor over allegations of serious…

region.com.au

Do you have to use your car because there is no PT in your area? Do you have to do "Mutual" Obligations right now? Would you feel comfortable chatting for a story? contact @caitkelly.bsky.social (cait rules btw)

Turns out casual staff shouldn’t be working for free at universities marking and doing other administrative activities. I reckon I’d be owed thousands (if not tens of thousands) for the ‘associated’ work I’ve done. No better time to join your union. www.nteu.au/News_Article...

📣🏆 AusPSA Award alert! 📜 Nominations for the APSA POP Paper Prize are now open! (and closing soon - 10 April) 👥 Open to all current financial members of APSA and POP New member signup here: auspsa.org.au/join/ Full details and nominations 👇 forms.gle/ZnQytvuc9wi4... @popgroupaus.bsky.social