Stop talking, start punching

Australia must stop talking about being a middle power that punches above its weight. Talking about it is far less interesting to the rest of the world than Australia actually doing it.

Goodnight and good luck

Is it time to rethinking Australia’s alliance with Trump’s America, given that Trump’s America thinks only about itself.

22 years after RAMSI

More than two decades after Australian intervention saved the Solomon Islands from chaos and collapse, the fractures that prompted ethnic conflict between Guadalcanal and Malaita communities remain deeply entrenched in the nation’s politics, society and governance.

Restoring faith in democracy

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his second term government is “focused on delivery” to improve Australians’ faith in democracy as well as the strength of the economy.

Jumping ship

Defections are fairly common in Australian politics. But history shows they are rarely a good career move.

What makes populism popular?

Populism offers easy answers to complicated problems, with charismatic leaders rather than innovative ideas, but whether its right wing attacks against the “elites”, or left wing bile aimed at big business, it’s proving an electoral success – encouraging more politicians to embrace it.

Say hello, wave goodbye

Trump’s abandonment of traditional allies and alliances should force Australia to rethink its priorities and cleave to long-established principles, rather than blindly follow the USA down a potentially disastrous path.

Policy outcomes from the Federal election

The dust has settled on Australia’s Federal election, and while the Liberal Party begins the long task of digging itself out of its electoral hole, bedrock problems such as productivity, tax reform and budget spending must be tackled by Labor.

Gluing the bench back together

The fall-out from the Liberals-Nationals split and potential reconciliation continues as David Littleproud and Sussan Ley jockey for supremacy and policy control.

Chinese whispers

Beijing would have us believe that Australian politicians cannot speak openly and honestly about China’s geopolitical ambitions without fear of losing Chinese-Australian voters. Don’t fall for it.

Breaking up the band

Like many a famous rock band, the Liberals and Nationals have a long, turbulent but highly successful history together, and their prospects apart look uncertain.

The end of the affair

The Nationals have pulled out of their long-standing coalition agreement with the Liberals in a potentially historic schism on the right-side of Australian politics.