Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As New Zealand’s controversial Treaty Principles Bill goes to a Parliamentary Select Committee Hearing it’s worth considering whether te Tiriti o Waitangi really does undermine liberal democracy as the Bill’s proponents say.

Treaties aren’t scary, and a draft bill saying how the voice will work might be worth the risk

Support for the Yes campaign in the Voice Referendum continues to slump, and so it may be time for the government to publish a draft of the Bill it plans to put to parliament, should the referendum pass.

September 11 2001: 20th anniversary reflections on freedom, democracy and Australia’s place in the world

As Australia reflects on the sombre anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we might also consider the fuller meaning of democracy and freedom and how our actions expand or limit its expression around the world today.

Sharing the sovereign and the substance of Indigenous recognition

The thorny question of indigenous rights in Canada, New Zealand and Australia is evolving as international best practice is shared.

Is News Corp bad for democracy?

A strong regulatory code to ensure that news media cover a wide range of political perspectives, assess them independently, and promote informed public debate would usefully complement restrictions on any one company being allowed to dominate the market.

Could treaties help close the political gap in Indigenous health?

New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi shows the potential such agreements might hold for health and other issues in Australia.

Too much bipartisanship is bad for democracy

Scott Morrison’s creation of a national cabinet of Federal and State leaders has helped Australia maintain a united front against COVID-19, but the division between government and opposition should be maintained to safeguard democracy.

Sports rorts and public accountability: why Bridget McKenzie took so long to resign

Although eventually forced to resign over misapplied sports grants, Bridget McKenzie clung to office in the hope of riding out the storm, protected by Australia’s monolithic party system.

Australian democracy demands a proper debate

Australian democracy is failing to deal with the complex interrelationships between coal and climate change, regional security interests, human rights and trade but today’s political culture of slogans and disengagement from proper debate and scrutiny makes it harder still.

White supremacy and the Australian politics of race

When an Australian white supremacist killed 50 people, and injured 50 others, in two New Zealand mosques last week, the politics of race and religious hatred merged into one. Decisive leadership is required to stamp out racism in out country, but there’s little sign that our politicians will provide it.

Citizenship, nationhood and the 26th of January

Celebrations of Australian nationhood should include and value all members of the community, including indigenous citizens.

It’s time for an Indigenous Health Purchasing Authority

For governments indigenous health continues to be an intractable policy problem. Author of ‘Indigeneity – a politics of potential’ Dominic O’Sullivan considers the proposal of an Indigenous Health Purchasing Authority.