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Should Australia have a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods?

Should Australia have a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods?

16 May 2012, 14:42 PM

Medical researchers in the UK have called for a junk food tax to reduce obesity, and experts here say it should be implemented in Australia. Countries such as Hungary and Denmark implemented 'fat taxes' on unhealthy foods last year, with Denmark taxing not only junk food, but also butter, milk, cream, meats and cooking oil -- everything containing 2.3 per cent or more of saturated fats. Do we need a 'fat tax' in Australia? And on which foods? 

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Should MPs be accountable to a code of conduct?

Should MPs be accountable to a code of conduct?

14 May 2012, 15:57 PM

There have been calls for a code of conduct to be set up for federal MPs to uphold the standing of parliament. Currently, a MP has to step down only if he/she has been sentenced to 12 months or longer or if he/she has been declared bankrupt.

A code of conduct would mean that a MP who is the subject of civil charges may not be allowed to stand in Parliament. What do you think? And what should be in an MP code of conduct?

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Which languages should Australians study in school?

Which languages should Australians study in school?

11 May 2012, 13:48 PM

In his Budget reply speech Tony Abbott outlined a plan where at least 40 per cent of year 12 students would be studying a language other than English under a Coalition government.

The target is to increase knowledge of the languages of key regional partners -- such as China, Japan and India -- to be met within a decade, Mr Abbott said.

What do you think of this scheme? Which languages should Australians study in school?

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Should Australia legalise same-sex marriage?

10 May 2012, 0:00 AM

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she remains opposed to gay marriage despite US President Barack Obama's change of heart on the issue. Civil unions are recognised in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the ACT, but there is fierce debate over the term 'marriage', which some say can only refer to the union between a man and a woman. What do you think?

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What do you think of the budget?

09 May 2012, 16:35 PM

Treasurer Wayne Swan has labelled the federal budget as one 'for battlers'. While families and low and middle-income tax payers are some of the winners, mining companies, big polluters, defence and businesses are going to be worse off.

Are you more likely to vote for Labor at the next election as a result of this budget?

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Would you host an asylum-seeker?

03 May 2012, 19:14 PM

The government has announced funding for people who take asylum seekers into their homes. There are guidelines available for people to apply for the scheme. While there are funds available for those that take in asylum seekers, organisers of the scheme have warned it's not a way for households to supplement their income. What do you think? Is this a good idea in light of overcrowding in asylum seeker centres? Would you welcome an asylum seeker into your home?

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Should there be an early election?

30 April 2012, 15:13 PM

With Craig Thomson's move to the cross bench and Peter Slipper out of parliament for an extended period, Labor now has 70 MPs on the floor of the House of Representatives to the Coalition's 71.

As long as the government still has the support of independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott and the Greens' Adam Bandt it has a slim majority.

But Opposition leader Tony Abbott says the independents should abandon the government, and he has called for an early election.

What do you think? Does Labor still have the mandate to govern in these circumstances?

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Should viewers be able to record matches and view them on mobile devices?

27 April 2012, 14:19 PM

Rugby league's hopes for a lucrative broadcast deal are back on track after the federal court banned Optus customers from recording and watching football matches on delay.

A full bench of the Federal Court upheld an appeal from the AFL, NRL and Telstra against an earlier ruling that allowed Optus customers to use the TV Now service to record matches and view them on their PCs, phones and other devices. While some say the decision is anachronistic, others say it will protect the sports. What do you think?

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Should celebrity tweeters disclose their sponsorships?

24 April 2012, 19:57 PM

The South Australian Tourism Commission has defended paying celebrities to promote Kangaroo Island tourism to their followers on Twitter. Sponsored tweeting is becoming more and more common. Do you think such marketing strategy is ethical? And should celebrities disclose their sponsorships?

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Should photos of US troops with dead insurgents have been published?

19 April 2012, 11:23 AM

The Los Angeles Times has published photos supplied to it by a US soldier of other troops posing with the mangled remains of Afghan insurgents.

The Pentagon had requested the paper refrain from releasing the images, as they could put its troops in more danger, as well as souring delicate US-Afghan relations.

However the LA Times said it had a duty to publish them in order to uphold its commitment to unbiased coverage of the conflict.

Do you agree with the paper, or the Pentagon?

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Should Australia reduce welfare payments?

19 April 2012, 11:08 AM

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey has told European policymakers that Western countries should put an end the culture of welfare.

He says the 'age of entitlement is over', and Australia should look to Asia for an example of a successful model.

Do you agree?

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Should marijuana be legalised?

03 April 2012, 11:30 AM

Foreign Minister and former NSW premier Bob Carr says he supports de-criminalising low-level drug use, as a think tank report says Australia's policies are "killing and criminalising our children."

What do you think needs to be done? Should Australia adopt a harder line on drugs, or is a re-think necessary?

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Should more be done to make surf lifesaving competitions safer?

30 March 2012, 15:58 PM

The recent death of a 14-year-old boy during a surf lifesaving competition on the Gold Coast has raised questions over how to make the sport safer.

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Is multiculturalism working in Australia?

20 March 2012, 17:46 PM

As Australia marks 'Harmony Day', a day to celebrate the benefits and potential that cultural diversity brings, do you think that racism is widespread in Australia? What can be done to enhance knowledge and understanding of different cultures?

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Should police use Tasers?

19 March 2012, 14:58 PM

Police have defended the use of Tasers after the death of a man in Sydney. The man was shot with a Taser by police in Sydney's CBD after he resisted arrest. He stopped breathing and could not be revived. It was not clear now many times the man was tasered or the circumstances at the time. The NSW Council of Civil Liberties has called for an immediate moratorium on the use of electroshock weapons. What do you think? Should police carry Tasers?

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What does International Women's Day mean for you?

08 March 2012, 14:42 PM

March 8th marks International Women's Day which celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women all over the world. The event was initially to promote equal rights, including the right to vote. The day is also a time to reflect on many women in the world are denied the basic rights many of us enjoy. Does the day have any significance for you?

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Should the government be providing renewable energy rebate schemes?

29 February 2012, 11:04 AM

The federal government is under attack from the Greens after closing a rebate scheme that has provided $320 million to householders who install more environmentally-friendly hot water systems.

Under the scheme the government offered rebates of $1000 to install a solar hot water system or $600 to install a heat pump hot water system.

Opposition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt accused the government of committing "solar vandalism" by shutting down the hot water rebate scheme. Do you think it's the federal government's responsibility to provide renewable energy rebate schemes?

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Who should lead the Labor Party?

23 February 2012, 11:25 AM

Julia Gillard has called for a leadership spill after the shock resignation of Kevin Rudd. The former foreign minister has yet to confirm that he'll run but says he has support within the party. Who do you think is the best person within Labor to unite and lead the party?

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Do you have ethical objections to organ donation?

22 February 2012, 16:47 PM

Although Australia is a world leader for organ, tissue and eye transplant outcomes it has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world. Around 1,600 people are on the Australian transplant waiting list. But organ donation poses ethical issues for some people. Where do you stand?

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Does Australia's mainstream TV offer a true portrayal of a multicultural society?

21 February 2012, 16:30 PM

'Home and Away' and other soap operas are being accused of failing to represent the "real" Australia, which critics say, is a lot more diverse.

Some say when there is diversity, it's a stereotype.

What do you think?

Watch PJ Madam's report on YouTube