How the Australian public service really works: policy

Peter McCawley continues his series of articles investigating the nuts and bolts reality behind Australian public policy formation.

How the Australian public service really works

Appreciating the subtle interplays of power in the Australian Public Service, and the difference in outlook between politicians and public officials, is a vital first step in getting anything done.

Trumpism down-under

Australians followed the 2020 presidential race in the United States with greater-than-usual interest, but the spectacle might herald a plausible descent for Australia’s politics, too.

Conspiracy theories and cancel culture

A poisonous pincer movement of bizarre conspiracy theories from the right and stultifying cancel culture from the left are threatening liberal democracy.

Victory, history and a pink recession: the highs and lows for women in 2020

Female leaders in Australian politics and public life has been more prominent and successful than ever before, but the pandemic set back a broad swathe of women at home and in work and education.

The Twitter war over Dan Andrews

A QUT study of two interrelated Twitter hashtag campaigns regarding Dan Andrews’ handling of the COVID-19 second wave found the activity was driven by a “small, hyper-partisan core of highly active participants” rather than bot accounts.

How to keep the lights on in democracies

We need to work together to find ways to keep the light of democracy shining in our countries and all over the world. Because if we don’t, we will indeed face dark days ahead.

Understanding the new Commonwealth Integrity Commission

Australia has come a significant step closer to forming a federal anti-corruption agency, when federal Attorney-General Christian Porter released draft legislation designed to set up a Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC).

Less barking, more bite

UNSW’s Dr Mark Rolfe supports the independent funding model proposed by ICAC for a national anti-corruption body.

A better way to protect government integrity

Independent MP Helen Haines has just introduced a bill into parliament to establish a robust new federal integrity commission. Without the government’s support, it is unlikely to pass but the move is designed to force the government’s hand.

COVID won’t kill populism

Populist politicians around the world have struggled to cope with the COVID crisis, due in part to their disdain for traditional institutions.

Ardern shows the way in engaging with young voters

Jacinda Ardern seems to have been more successful in appealing to young people than many contemporary politicians, and encouraging them to participate in the electoral process in greater numbers.