Women in politics

Women bring unique strengths to politics and decades of research shows that everyone benefits from greater female participation, so what more can be done to encourage women to enter the political sphere?

McKinnon Prize shortlist reflects the changing face of Australian politics

The McKinnon Prize, an independent and non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership, has announced the shortlist for its annual awards, with a diverse range of political figures put forward for the award.

Australia calling

As a middle power in an increasingly volatile and contested region, Geoff Heriot argues that Australian Governments need to be more strategic about their approach to international broadcasting. This is if they are to effectively tackle contemporary diplomatic and security challenges.

Toss another bribe on the barbie

The latest Corruption Perceptions Index – an annual survey from Transparency International that tracks how corrupt governments are perceived to be – shows Australia still has a way to go on this front.

Farewell Scotty from marketing

Australia has churned through 6 Prime Ministers since John Howard left office in 2007 in a bipartisan melee of bitter back-stabbing but no-one was less qualified for the job than Scott Morrison, a man whose messianic belief in his own infallibility saw him secretly assume personal control of vast swathes of government during the pandemic.

Why populists are popular

Simplistic, divisive and bombastic demagogues like Donald Trump succeed because of those traits, rather than despite them.

Defeating the dictators

A new book by Charles Dunst, a foreign policy advisor to Colorado Democratic Senator Michael F. Bennet, outlines a number of ways by which democracies can combat the threat of rising authoritarianism.

Estimates and inquiries

Senate estimates and inquiries are important parts of the Australian political system, allowing more detailed scrutiny of government actions than the rowdy pantomime of Parliament and the media.

Revisiting the Republic

Despite the rejection of a Republic in 1999, a more radical and comprehensive plan for a new national settlement, incorporating taxation and government as well as the severing of ties with the UK, could be a popular option.

Storm clouds over Canberra

Australian democracy remains robust, but a succession of political scandals in recent times have damaged public faith in our politicians.

Narrowing the trust divide

Mistrust between elected politicians and the electorate continues to widen, undermining faith in democracy itself. Fergus Neilson discusses proposals from political professionals and voters to narrow the ‘trust divide’ and improve the internal resilience of Western liberal democracy.

Three ways to shape the future

Pessimism about our ability to address the issues that face humanity is understandable, but there are many signs we’re making progress in a number of ways.