3Q: Questions that count

Charities are reporting a 50 per cent increase in calls for help and most are coming from underpaid workers, says Ged Kearney. | Richard Watts welcomes the opportunity to compete against retail funds — because industry funds will outperform them every time. | If SBS and the ABC don’t get a substantial increase in funding, their future is shaky, warns Nadine Flood.

Norman Gillespie says Australia broke its promise to the UN to take children out of detention centres. | Ian Silk shares some frightening statistics about our lack of literacy when it comes to super and investing. | Tim Ayres tells manufacturers to focus on opportunities in clean energy and new government subsidies.

Stuart Washington says technology is transforming journalism but just how our future media will look is still unknown. | Rita Mallia speaks of the importance of unemployed locals getting the first pick of mining jobs as well as her union's proud multicultural ethos. | Ken Morrison explains why people, place and ease are the ingredients which get cultural entrepreneurs thinking big in the city.

Gerard Noonan explains why Australia’s superannuation scheme is a shining beacon amongst the world’s retirement schemes. | Paul Schroder says the nature of our work is changing and the significance and reliance of super will increase — especially as we are all living longer. | Matt Linden believes the Government’s latest changes will make super simpler, accessible and more relevant for those who’ve taken their eye off the ball.

Ken Morrison says our cities need to be transformed for our ageing population – and it’s not solely about nursing homes. | Tim Ayres wishes Clive Palmer and other mining giants would give local manufacturers a go instead of heading overseas. | Nadine Flood questions whether governments take our science and other publicly funded breakthroughs for granted.

Dr Helen Szoke explains that people need to learn how to identify and react to racism in social settings. | Peter Jennings says over 100,000 people die each year from mesothelioma with two thirds of cases from South East Asia. | Matthew Linden warns people with self managed super to do their homework because, unlike members of retail and industry funds, they have no safety net.

Norman Gillespie says low cost, low tech measures can save millions of newborns in the developing world. | Tony Maher rallies against a handful of vested interests using their wealth to shape Australia’s future. | James Coyle explains why superannuation supports our pension system and leaves us less vulnerable to a Greek tragedy.

Ged Kearney says the union movement needs to emphasise its achievements rather than letting others focus on the negatives. | Nadine Flood believes the public will experience more delays and long queues because of cuts to government services. | Paul Bastian welcomes the tax on mining profits and the Government's continued commitment to manufacturing.

Michael O’Connor questions why the national bank took so long to cut rates. | Tim O’Connor calls on the Government to meet its promise on foreign aid. | John Della Bosca says funding the NDIS will be less costly than the future expense of disability.

Pam Cahir talks about the biggest improvements to early childhood education in 25 years. | Matt McGowan explains why opening up university places is admirable but will fail unless it is matched with better funding. | Dr Brian Owler gives his reasons for fronting a road safety campaign and the next issues in his sights.

Ken Morrison says the time for talking is over - the Federal Government needs to take action on planning our cities. | Mark Delaney explains how super funds are delivering good returns through investing in infrastructure. | Ben Pearson says the move to sustainable cities may be expensive in the short term but will reap benefits for the future.

Paul Bastian explains how Australian trade unions are leading the call for a global ban on asbestos. | Anna-Maria Arabia says our scientific innovation is world class but is at risk if the government and private sector stop investing. | Matthew Linden unpacks the many historic changes happening to super, especially for people on low incomes.

Tim O’Connor talks about the success of the Kony 2012 campaign but warns it must yield results or risk making Gen Y disillusioned. | Nadine Flood lifts the lid on how job cuts can result in violence and aggression towards public sector workers. | Cate Wood explains why super should be part of maternity leave payments if we are to correct inequities in the system.

The TWU's Tony Sheldon says drivers' lives are being put at risk because of pressure on truck drivers. | Greenpeace's John Hepburn says Australia could be coal free if we properly invested in renewables. | The Property Council's Peter Verwer reveals why Adelaide comes out top in a city survey and what other capitals should copy.

CFMEU's Tony Maher spells out why the MRRT won't kill the mining golden goose. | Media Super's Jon Glass explains how super funds manage risk and why they're better than the average investor. | The Australian Council of Trade Unions' Jeff Lawrence explains why we should increase the minimum wage.