Craig Hill

Many teachers do not know how to use data provided by annual assessments of their pupils’ literacy and numeracy ability, despite often criticising the tests themselves, a new report has found. The report, from the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee also said teachers need more training to help understand the basics of … Continue reading »

Military police at Australia‘s detention centre in Afghanistan were pressured to make prisoners more “pliable” by gagging them, depriving them of sleep and denying them exercise. Sources with first-hand knowledge of the detention centre at Tarin Kowt have said that senior officers from Australia’s special forces, as well as the “force exploitation team” – defence … Continue reading »

The government and opposition have rejected a bid to open the offshore detention centres on Nauru and Papua New Guinea for inspection by Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner. They have also blocked an attempt to give the Australian media the same access to the centres that it has to mainland and Christmas Island detention facilities. There … Continue reading »

Universities are having to continue to lower entry scores to maintain expanding numbers, sparking warnings that school inequality is to blame as regional and poor students get left behind. Commonwealth student applications and offer data for this year also show that universities are continuing to recruit into teaching degrees a rising proportion of school leavers … Continue reading »

Business leaders need to see beyond the “infantile” debate of a choice between China and the US when mapping Australia’s future economic success, says John Howard, in a view that has won support from senior Obama administration officials. And, writing exclusively today for The Australian, Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kim Beazley, says Australian businesses are … Continue reading »

Foreign aid spending remains the biggest issue for the Asia-Pacific region in the wake of Tuesday’s Australian budget. Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan says he’s delivered a sensible, calm and responsible budget, while reporting an $18 billion deficit next financial year. The budget delivers big social benefits for schools and the disabled, but hits foreign aid … Continue reading »

The Northern Territory‘s plan to send neglected Indigenous children into adoptive homes has sparked fears of creating another Stolen Generation. The Northern Territory government has sparked fears of creating another Stolen Generation, following a plan outlined to send neglected Indigenous children into adoptive homes. Chief Minister Adam Giles has told News Limited, previous governments have … Continue reading »

One of Australia’s foremost China experts says then prime minister Kevin Rudd may have fallen victim to “bite your friend” syndrome during his dealings with the Asian power, as Beijing expected too much in return. In a paper to be released today by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Ross Terrill, once described by the Chinese … Continue reading »