The annual Climate of the nation benchmark report has tracked Australian attitudes on climate change for over a decade. This report shows concern about climate change impacts has returned to record highs, large numbers of Australians are experiencing the impacts of climate change right now, and there is broad community support for alternative energy solutions.

This research argues that opening up the Great Australian Bight to exploratory drilling for oil and gas is unlikely to have much of an effect on jobs, and could even threaten employment in other industries.

As Queensland’s government and Opposition compete to sweeten deals for the coal industry, open-cut coal mines in Queensland already get up to 17% of their coal for free, compared with similar mines in NSW. Polling in both Queensland and NSW shows support for ending this subsidy.

Decisions by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to flood the Barmah-Millewa forest and drain Menindee Lakes have reduced water for NSW Murray general security holders, who have zero allocation for 2018-19. This research estimates an allocation of between 16% and 61% could have been possible had MDBA complied with its official objectives.

The mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin has become a national issue in 2019. While the Basin’s problems are widely discussed, solutions are not. This paper outlines some practical steps to turn around the fortunes of the Basin and its people.