Geoeconomics is driving foreign policy

Economics has become the driving force of foreign policy, with trade and commerce replacing traditional diplomacy as key instruments of statecraft, exemplified by the US-China trade war and countries like India recalibrating their strategies to align with shifting economic and strategic imperatives.

Why is One Nation surging in the polls?

Support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party has doubled since the 2025 Federal Election as public concern over immigration grows and the shell-shocked Liberals continue to flounder after their overwhelming defeat.

The case for optimism

Fatalistic pessimism about the state of the world has become widespread, perhaps with good reason. But prolonged hopelessness, however justified, limits policymakers and commentators and should be avoided where possible.

Rebuilding trust in the trust commissioner

Australia’s new National Anti-Corruption Commission has come under scrutiny itself, but it’s not too late for the NACC and its leadership team to regain public trust and perform the role they are paid to do.

Lessons in opposition

Sussan Ley’s challenge as opposition leader is to keep her party united and ready to govern in the event that the government loses public favour, but she’s faced an uphill struggle from the start.

Do we need more politicians?

Should we have more federal politicians? Special Minister of State Don Farrell believes there’s a case and has asked the parliamentary joint standing committee on electoral matters to examine the arguments.

The strange death of liberal Australia

If the Liberals spend multiple cycles not engaging with the median voter, and can’t articulate a credible alternative story about the Australian economy, it does raise the question: who will voters turn to when they decide to throw Labor out?

The rise of the cartel

Ten years ago, now-Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece warned that Australia’s “cartel-like” political parties mean “Australia is a democracy without the people”, and the situation is only getting worse.

Australia’s alliance dilemma

The Trump administration’s downplaying of American ‘leadership’, scepticism about alliances, cuts to US government programs supporting democracy and development abroad, and illiberal domestic policies suggest that appeals to past loyalty and shared values will count for little if Australia needs help.

Rethinking diplomacy

Modern diplomacy extends far beyond foreign ministries and ambassadors, as domestic officials, civil society groups, and business leaders increasingly engage in transnational governance networks. Australia needs comprehensive training programs to prepare this diverse range of actors for effective international negotiations and cross-border policy work.

Digital government as critical infrastructure

The ways in which Australia builds, secures and governs its digital systems will shape national resilience, public trust and strategic sovereignty.

How not to lead the world

While the leaders of authoritarian states pursue their interests with brutal focus both at home and abroad, those in democratic states continue to vacillate between timidity and expediency.