Foreign aid cuts are damaging our national interests

Given the geopolitical competition in our Pacific region, bolstering aid funding, rather than reducing it, would better serve Australia’s diplomatic, trade and security interests.

The tech policies that could change everything

As the Federal Election approaches, the Australian Computer Society has suggested 17 “gamechangers” to boost Australia’s digital economy and increase the number of technology jobs.

Australia’s aging voters may hold the key to election victory

If Labor is relying on a surge of younger voters to deliver it victory then its hopes may be misplaced as Australia’s voters are ageing.

A debate needs more than sloganeering

The first televised “debate” between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was dominated by the type of partisan sloganeering which turns voters off the election campaign.

Lies, obfuscation and fake news make for a dispiriting – and dangerous – election campaign

The integrity of Australia’s electoral processes is under unprecedented challenge in this federal election, and the campaign has already been marred by fake news and the political exploitation of social media falsehoods.

The ‘ball tampering’ budget trick they don’t want you to know about

When the Australian cricket team got caught in a ball-tampering racket, the Captain and Vice Captain were banned for a year. Our politicians do something similar, by making promises and hiding how those promises will be paid for, but somehow receive a pass. 

The shortening odds on a Labor victory

Australians don’t seem to like Labor leader Bill Shorten, yet according to the nation’s bookmakers, he’s odds-on to be the next prime minister.

What would happen if Scott Morrison wins?

If the Coalition manages to defy the opinion polls and wins the May election, what kind of Prime Minister is Scott Morrison likely to be?

Australian diplomacy goes digital

DFAT needs to adopt some of the nimbleness and agility of the tech world in how it conducts Australia’s external policy. Failure to do so means the field is left to others.

There’s clear water between the parties on housing policy

Housing policy is a stark point of difference at this election. While the government took promising steps to set up social housing finance, it has yet to give any sign it will finish what it started.

The qualities we need in our next Prime Minister

Australians have had seven prime ministers in ten years and are heading to the polls again. When it comes to leadership, what we need most is a leader who tells it like it is and matches that with vision and action.

“Fairness” vs “Strength” – The battle to frame the federal election

Sloganeering has always been integral to elections, but this kind of messaging risks adding to the problem of voter disengagement.