Latest Story
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The central battleground
Gabriele Gratton | April 25, 2025Pundits and political scientists like to repeat that we live in an age of political polarisation but Australia’s parliamentary system means the major parties tend to converge by fighting for the centre ground.
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The quest for significance
Open Forum | April 25, 2025People can turn to embrace conspiracy theories to feel like they ‘matter’, according to a new book.
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Rough seas ahead
Sergi Basco | April 25, 2025Businesses and global markets thrive in times of certainty, but Donald Trump’s willingness to drive a coach and horses through prior practice and common sense mean that the IMF’s world trade uncertainty index is currently 7 times higher than it was in October 2024, far higher than even during the pandemic.
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The misinformation malaise
Allegra Micomonaco | April 24, 2025Many Australians are aware of the influence of misinformation and disinformation on elections, but there are more insidious ways it harms our democratic society.
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Pull up to the bumper sticker
Paul Harrison | April 24, 2025Bumper stickers rarely change anyone else’s ideas or behaviour but they do allow people to express, perform and affirm their identity.
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What’s the big idea?
Frank Bongiorno | April 24, 2025A new book – “What’s the Big Idea? 32 Ideas for a Better Australia” edited by Anna Chang and Alice Grundy celebrates 30 years of big ideas from the Australia Institute.
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The not-so-great debate
Zareh Ghazarian | April 23, 2025Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have met for the third leaders’ debate of this election campaign, this time on the Nine network. And while the debate traversed much of the same ground as the first two, the quick-fire set up of the debate allowed for some more animated exchanges less than two weeks from election day.
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The early voting dilemma
Zareh Ghazarian | April 23, 2025Australians have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to vote early in recent elections. But there are some risks for voters if they jump the gun too quickly. And it’s upending the way parties and other candidates organise their campaigns.
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Power in the Pacific
Lai-Ha Chan | April 23, 2025President Trump’s ‘protection racket’ diplomacy won’t help arrest China’s increasing economic, diplomatic and military foothold in the Pacific.
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Promises, promises
Eiddwen Jeffery | April 23, 2025Both major party blocks have made plenty of pledges in this election campaign, so, how can voters distinguish between deliverable promises and the downright impossible?
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Picking the new Pope
Mathew Schmalz | April 22, 2025With the death of Pope Francis, attention now turns to the selection of his successor through the mysterious process of the ‘conclave’ in Rome.
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Trump’s Pacific folly
Open Forum | April 22, 2025USAID cuts and tariffs will harm the United States’ reputation in the Pacific more than they will harm the region itself.
