Our Team

Stephen LunnSocial Affairs Editor

Stephen Lunn is The Australian’s Social Affairs Editor, covering issues including health, wellbeing, ageing, disability and the care economy. He has previously been the paper’s environment writer and Tokyo correspondent. A journalist for more than two decades, he has also worked in public policy advocacy in the private sector, and practised as a lawyer in Australia and the UK. Stephen has a Masters degree in law from the London School of Economics.

@lunns

Latest

MEN’S HEALTHRelationships

Doctor physician consulting with male patients in hospital exam room. Men's health concept

‘Oh, just one more thing doctor’: answers for men worried their sex life is over

Whether you need a little bit of help or a lot, there’s likely a solution out there for those with erectile dysfunction. We give you the latest.

Stephen Lunn

disabilitiesMental Health

Child with autism deciding where is the best place to put his block. Shall he build it higher?

‘Better ways’ to spend NDIS $230bn: expert

Governments should put a ‘ceiling’ on National Disability Insurance Scheme costs. An expert reveals how kids with autism and less-profound disabilities could still be supported.

Stephen Lunn

exclusiveRelationships

An upset Asian teenage boy student, dressed in casual outfit, sits on a stairway reading on his smartphone with a backpack beside him, while dealing with the issue of cyberbullying.

What our young men really think about traditional gender roles

More young men in Australia are taking up ‘traditional’ views of women, including that males make better leaders and women should care for children.

Stephen Lunn

EMOTIONAL DAMAGERelationships

10 April 2025; a collage of a woman that is separated and broken with family memories making a mosaic of her. Artwork by Emilia Tortorella. Sources: iStock. Ratio 4:3.

Family ties may not bind forever: here’s how to handle estrangement

With adman John Singleton’s extended family dramas spilling into legal action this week, we take a broader look at the impact of family estrangement and how to stay emotionally safe.

Stephen Lunn

ExclusiveMedical

2/4/25: Professor Ben Freedman is leading new research showing the causal link between high blood pressure and Atrial Fibrillation (AF). He says GPs can be doing simple checks to screen for this, including more hands on pulse checking. Ben, 75, has been working in this area for more than a decade, but had his own stroke 18 months ago, which came out of the blue. But he's back pursuing his life's work.

After recovering from a stroke, this world-renowned researcher has some simple guidance

It’s a deadly one-two. High blood pressure and atrial fibrillation greatly increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and dementia. Yet too often, despite a test that takes 30 seconds, AF is not detected by doctors.

Stephen Lunn

5-minute exerciseFitness

Senior woman holding a towel and stretching while sitting on chair.

The five-minutes-a-day ‘eccentric’ exercise regime that can make your life better

No gym membership, no equipment at home, no worries. Just five minutes of exercise a day can improve your physical and mental health, a new study shows. We step you through the exercises you’ll need.

Stephen Lunn

20-somethingsRelationships

14/03/2025. Candice Nable with her daughters Lily 23 and Heidi 21 and pet dog Norman at home in Allambie Heights in SydneyÃs north. Lily works full time and Heidi works part time and is a student as well. The girls choose to still live at home, the current cost of housing makes it difficult for 20 somethings, even those in full time jobs, to manage a place to live. Britta Campion / The Australian

20-somethings still living at home? Here are the rules, for them and you

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to children living at home well into their 20s. But how should we navigate a household of parents and children when everyone’s an adult?

Stephen Lunn

TREATMENT BARRIERCaring

An adult Speech Therapy expert positively engages a young Child using colorful blocks, fostering Language skills and Development in a cheerful environment

Two-year wait for autism diagnosis hurts children’s future

The earlier an autistic child is diagnosed, the better their long-term outcomes. So why are initial diagnoses taking longer and longer?

Stephen Lunn

Election 2025Medical

Media executive Kerry Packer (l) leaving medical specialist clinic in Edgecliff, NSW 02 Apr 2003.

Packer’s treatment better than the rest

Anthony Albanese kickstarted the election campaign lauding our public hospitals for treating billionaires like Kerry Packer the same as everyone else, including himself. We run the ruler over his claim.

Stephen Lunn

RetireesPolitics

19/03/2025: Retiree John Pauley in Hobart, Tasmania. PIC: Peter Mathew

Don’t take seniors for a ride on pension changes

Superannuation changes and cost of living relief top the concerns of older Australians heading into the election.

Stephen Lunn

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/stephen-lunn/page/2