Australia needs a national mobilisation committee – right now

Coronavirus is primarily a public health crisis, but it is also wreaking havoc with our financial, political, economic and social systems. Government as usual is not an option.

Australia stands with the US (most of the time)

When Ambassador Joe Hockey returned earlier this month from the Washington posting he had held since the beginning of 2016, he pushed back against allegations that Australia is an American lapdog.

Taking on toxic partisanship

Toxic partisans have contempt for their opponents, won’t listen to other ideas, refuse to compromise and put their own interests over the country. They dominate political discourse in the USA and too many other nations, and the public should demand an alternative.

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.

Cain was able

Remembering the life of John Cain, a willing and able premier, and long-term servant of the state of Victoria.

Time for political performance reviews?

Let’s embrace the idea we should manage politicians like an executive manages their direct reports. Let’s acknowledge we have not only the power but the responsibility to give feedback, hire the best leaders and fire poor performers.

Mike Baird: The value of authenticity

The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership recognises those who’ve driven change though visionary leadership. Former NSW premier Mike Baird says leaders need a broad vision that gets people off the couch and cabinet ministers out of their chairs.

Australia – The hapless country?

On climate change and Australia’s geopolitical future, political time is running out. Whatever the sentiment before this summer’s horrific fires, the political pressure on Morrison’s febrile coalition has increased dramatically.

It’s Boris, actually

Britain’s Conservative’s fought a smart campaign focused on the major issue of the day, tapping into the public’s weariness with Parliamentary wrangling over Brexit, while the opposition tried to ignore it altogether.

GAP in 2019 – A year in review

Global Access Partners, the institute for active policy which publishes Open Forum, has enjoyed a busy year tackling a wide range of issues and looks forward to fresh endeavours in 2020.

Who’s in the driving seat?

Global leadership works best when liberal great powers embrace a shared, inclusive vision of global order, jointly manage the challenges to that order, and fund the public goods that underpin it. Lately, things haven’t been going so well.

Voter trust in politicians hits a new low

The Australian National University’s election study has underscored the woeful lack of trust voters have in the political system, and highlighted the role economic issues and Bill Shorten’s unpopularity played in the May poll outcome.