object(WP_Post)#4834 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(2863) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "6" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-09-01 23:54:02" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-09-01 23:54:02" ["post_content"]=> string(1411) "

Australia’s infrastructure and population are constantly growing and as well as being a resilient economy, the expectations of quality infrastructure and connectivity for a better quality of life are increasing. Infrastructure also provides the opportunity for leading companies to finance, construct, own and operate infrastructure assets.

The issue in Australia - most of the infrastructure required to be built are in complex cities and are in highly urbanised environments and with this comes significant environmental issues, planning issues and community issues. It also means that solutions to these problems are expensive and developers and governments are finding it difficult to fund the expensive infrastructure projects. The rise in discussions around future cities has increased by 175 per cent with conversations being had around the Australian government improving productivity and liveability of the nation’s largest cities as they grow over the next 30 years.

In this whitepaper we explore the various infrastructures within Australia including transport, water, energy and telecommunications to understand their current status, the effects each sector is having on the environment and analyse the role media plays.

" ["post_title"]=> string(51) "Australia's Infrastructure: Making Cities Resilient" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(342) "Australia’s infrastructure and population are constantly growing and as well as being a resilient economy, the expectations of quality infrastructure and connectivity for a better quality of life are increasing. Infrastructure also provides the opportunity for leading companies to finance, construct, own and operate infrastructure assets." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(49) "australias-infrastructure-making-cities-resilient" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2019-09-24 04:05:36" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-09-24 04:05:36" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(31) "https://www.isentia.com/?p=2863" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" }

object(WP_Post)#8211 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(1800) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "11" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:12:12" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:12:12" ["post_content"]=> string(3280) "

Labor’s pledge to introduce real increases to the minimum wage is if it wins the Federal Election, and the simmering undercurrents of a cultural war, have been the standout campaign themes this week.

The determined pursuit of fairness has been a fixture of the Australian political landscape for decades, yet cultural wars are a newer phenomenon. The idiom of today suggests workers are competing with bosses and businesses who seek to keep to salaries as low as possible. The current atmosphere of business-bashing was first introduced by the Coalition, who targeted the unpopular banking sector with extra taxes. More recently, Labor have rejected the longstanding policy framework of a globally competitive economy, dynamic labour market, and lower taxes, in favour of a social safety net.

For weeks, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has branded the upcoming election as a "referendum on wages", putting forward the simple argument that ‘‘no Australian working full-time should be living in poverty’’. Meanwhile, the Coalition is expected to announce another round of income tax cuts ahead of the Budget.

Unions have also chimed in, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions calling for a $73 a week increase to the minimum wage over two years in the pursuit of a “living wage”. Labor quickly distanced itself from the Trade Union’s push, suggesting the final verdict should instead come from the Fair Work Commission. The core assumption for the Commission will be that the current hourly rate of $18.93 must rise – however Labor is yet to reveal any guidelines detailing how this increase would be assessed.

Unsurprisingly, the Council of Small Business of Australia pushed back, stating increased wages would force more businesses to incur payroll tax, and consequently be forced to look at ways to absorb costs; either through increased prices or cutting workers’ hours. Similar sentiments were voiced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who accused Labor of engaging in the politics of envy, and warning that Bill Shorten’s plans would result in the dismissal of many workers.

Most recently, the Australian Industry Group proposed a 2 per cent increase to keep wages in line with inflation, meaning the 2.23 million Australians earning $19 an hour would see just enough extra cash in their pay packets to buy an upsized meal at McDonald’s.

If the next Federal Election is truly a referendum on wages, the key question for voters should be; Are the market determined rates fair and just, or should the government intervene?

Visit www.isentia.com/your-insight-into-the-federal-election for more information or get in touch with our team to discuss your needs.

" ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Waging war: A look back on this weeks Federal Election chatter" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(201) "Labor’s pledge to introduce real increases to the minimum wage is if it wins the Federal Election, and the simmering undercurrents of a cultural war, have been the standout campaign themes this week." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(61) "waging-war-a-look-back-on-this-weeks-federal-election-chatter" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2019-06-25 07:29:19" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-25 07:29:19" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "https://isentia.wpengine.com/?p=1800" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" }

object(WP_Post)#8193 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(1791) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "11" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:07:21" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:07:21" ["post_content"]=> string(2722) "

The Federal Election has been announced and with 33 days of campaigning we thought it would be interesting to compare the number of mentions of the political parties over the past 2 weeks. Analysis from our media intelligence has given insight into Labor having a larger volume of media coverage across all media types in comparison to other political parties.

Examining coverage, we found the ‘Election’ had been the subject of over 33,000 media items and online being the preferred media type.

In terms of political parties, Labor has had a significant number of mentions of broadcast coverage whereas the Coalition had more mentions across more traditional media such as print, during the two-week period. Overall, Labor has had a decent lead over the Coalition in the number of mentions across broadcast, online and print combined during this time.

Interestingly, social mentions over Twitter, Facebook and YouTube were more prominent with individual parliamentarians rather than mentions of political parties. These items mentioned more controversial statements or social ‘worthy’ statements which generated these mentions.

It was found the Coalition had considerably more social mentions over Labor when searching for the parliamentarian’s name or their handle. One Nation were also in the mix, with more social mentions compared to the Greens and the Nationals combined.

With the data analysis we have uncovered, could this be insight into who will win the election on May 18?

If you would like to keep up-to-date for the remainder of the Federal Election campaign, our exclusive Federal Election briefing can ensure you're across all campaign announcements, funding commitments, policy updates and polling figures. If you would like to learn more about this service, get in touch with our team to discuss your needs.

" ["post_title"]=> string(50) "How will media shape the Federal Election outcome?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(146) "With 33 days of campaigning left, we compare the number of mentions of the political parties over the past 2 weeks surrunding the Federal Election" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(49) "how-will-media-shape-the-federal-election-outcome" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2019-06-26 04:57:22" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-26 04:57:22" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "https://isentia.wpengine.com/?p=1791" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" }

object(WP_Post)#8209 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(1783) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "11" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:04:38" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-24 22:04:38" ["post_content"]=> string(6779) "

New Zealand continues to be a country of trailblazers, leading the way on key social and political milestones.

With a history that includes being the first country to give women the right to vote, the 13^th to legalise same sex marriage and in recent history, an extraordinarily fast change in gun laws, it’s easy to see why this reputation of being socially progressive resonates.

As a country that favours and advocates progress, change, improvement, reform and progression towards better conditions for its people and the land they call home, the world continues to watch as more ‘firsts’ are discussed in the media, by politicians, influencers and people. In particular the topic of Health seems to be attracting attention and gaining momentum on the airwaves. 

On the health waves

Assisted Dying Bill

In recent months, tensions have risen, and tempers have flared as a parliamentary committee considers the controversial Assisted Dying Bill. Could this be another debatable issue New Zealand is at the forefront? As the country edges closer towards legalising assisted dying and Parliament having voted on this Bill’s second reading on 1^st May 2019, will New Zealand join the few countries in the world who have already made assisted dying legal?

The Bill was originally introduced June 2017 and was debated at its first reading in December 2017, passing with 76 votes in favour and 44 against. At the time of release, there were more than 30,000 public submissions - the highest number of submissions received in recent Parliamentary history, according to the Justice Committee. So why has this bill gained so much traction?

It seems much of the conversation is happening through broadcast channels, perhaps unsurprisingly given the prominence of radio in New Zealand. Looking back over the last 7 months, we can see this topical spike in broadcast mentions during April, likely due to the Assisted Dying Bill submission taking place and the several debates that followed. 

The Primary Health Care Strategy

Health continues to be a theme of conversation it seems. Alongside the topic of euthanasia, New Zealand’s primary healthcare has also been a hot talking point. As well as a number of developed countries, New Zealand has a publicly funded health system. The Primary Health Care Strategy was introduced in 2001 as New Zealand's official response to evidence promulgating primary care-led health systems for developed countries. The strategy placed an increased emphasis on greater provision and funding of primary health care and anticipated expanded and more collaborative ways of working for health professionals within the sector.

The success of this new primary care-led system has been heavily dependent on the quality and commitment of the primary care workforce, with a clear expectation of closer interprofessional working and collaborative practices. Capitated population-based funding (where a health service is paid in bulk for care provision, regardless of which clinical practitioner undertakes the care) creates potential for different ways of working in this new primary care-led environment.  A strong primary health care system is central to improving the health of all New Zealanders and reducing health inequalities between different groups, but when the health care system fails, is it valid for the conversations around the assisted dying Bill to be had?

Digital Health 2020

Another topical discussion within the healthcare sector - the ministry of health’s Digital Health 2020 plan.  This plan is a crucial factor to the success of the overall New Zealand Health Strategy and will help New Zealand to keep pace with global trends in healthcare. Characterised by greater use of digitalisation, data analytics and innovative devices are used to increase efficiency and support new forms of treatment, service delivery and preventative healthcare. The question is, do New Zealanders want their health records to be accessible online?

Medicinal marijuana

On the pharmaceutical front the conversation continues following the introduction of medicinal marijuana now widely available for thousands of patients after years of campaigning and the recent announcement of the cannabis referendum in 2020. We analysed across various media types (print, online and broadcast) the discussions around legalising the personal use of cannabis for New Zealanders and the media mentions around this topic.

Our analysis showed the most media mentions were again on broadcast channels with 113 per cent more mentions than print and 98 per cent more than online and is on an upward trend. The month of May has already produced more media mentions in half a month (589) than total media mentions in October (587 and as the referendum draws closer in 2020 you’d almost certainly expect this to continue to rise.) Using cannabis for personal use has been legalised in Canada, Uruguay and in multiple US states, and has been decriminalised in many more. By legalising its use in New Zealand, it will reaffirm the progressive reputation that continues to receive media attention worldwide.

If you’d like to understand the media lens on any topic, brand or audience, get in touch with us today. 

" ["post_title"]=> string(63) "What's the next first for a country leading many conversations?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(110) "New Zealand continues to be a country of trailblazers, leading the way on key social and political milestones." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(61) "whats-the-next-first-for-a-country-leading-many-conversations" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2019-06-25 07:23:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-06-25 07:23:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "https://isentia.wpengine.com/?p=1783" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" }