A cool rights ruling to quell the anti-chartists' bluster

What happened to the moral panic about a charter of rights?

Fury as family dies after high-speed police chase

LESS than three months after the outrage over a toddler's death led to tougher penalties for police pursuits, three more people, including a four-month-old boy, have lost their lives in a police chase.

AGE DISCRIMINATION SHUTS THE DOOR ON A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE

'IF WE can remove the obstacles for older Australians who want to work, we not only improve the quality of their life but we also strengthen the economy." Treasurer Wayne Swan made these remarks when he launched the Intergenerational Report this month, a document crammed full of sobering reflections on the consequences of boomer ageing. One impediment to older workers' participation, however, remains deeply entrenched in the workplace and broader culture: age discrimination.

Happy new year - or happier, anyway

THE crowds welcoming the new year may have been forgiven for a little extra fervour in their celebrations. Thank heavens 2009 is dead and gone. It had more than its share of bad news and disappointments; 2010 could not be much worse - could it?

Deafening silence from neglectful care-givers

Perhaps it was long overdue, but the apology by the Government of Australia, and soon Britain, is to be applauded ("Tears for victims, cheers for their courage", November 17). However, as I watched some of the heartbreaking television interviews, it occurred to me that the apology seemed one-sided.

All the right stuff, but motherhood needs rule teacher out of plum job

MARRICKVILLE WEST primary school announced the appointment of its new assistant principal in glowing terms in its newsletter: "Rebecca Salter is an exceptional teacher, experienced school leader and musician in her own right."

OVERLAND EXPRESS

Yesterday Simon Overland completed his first six months as Victoria's Chief Commissioner. He is quietly rolling out reforms that will change the face of policing. John Silvester reports.

How long it takes to find a job: 10 weeks

IF YOU are unfortunate enough to lose your job, expect to be out of work for about 10 weeks. That is the typical period of unemployment for men, according to the Bureau of Statistics. For women, it is nine weeks. And you stand a one-in-eight chance of losing your replacement job within months.

Unions are back

After more than a decade of decline organised labour is finding its voice again, writes Kirsty Needham.

A fine balance

The Federal Government is preparing tougher anti-terrorism laws, including a new offence against inciting violence. But it has yet to explain why the new charge is needed. Dan Flitton reports.

Battlelines are drawn with a nod to family and tradition

Tony Abbott, the man touted by some as the biggest threat to Malcolm Turnbull's leadership, writes of a return to conservative values in a new book out later this month, JOSH GORDON reports.

They're rubbish

An increasing number of people don't rate their council. Jason Dowling reports on the malaise in local government.