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Do only the wicked need fear government spying?
Simon Longstaff | March 4, 2015The Federal Government wants the controversial Metadata Retention bill passed as soon as possible. Leading up to an IQ2 debate on the subject, Simon Longstaff discusses what amount of liberty (if any) we should sacrifice in order to be safe.
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What are the effects of coal seam gas on the health of Queenslanders?
David Shearman | March 4, 2015A leading health organisation is backing calls for a royal commission into the impact of coal seam gas mining on the people of Queensland. Dr David Shearman from Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) urges the new Government to protect the current and future health of Queenslanders.
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Join the debate on security and privacy
editor | February 26, 2015The proposition is ‘Only the wicked need fear government spying’ on 31 March in Sydney at the first IQ2 debate of 2015.
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Children in immigration detention: government sanctioned child abuse?
Angela Beresford | February 19, 2015Tony Abbott has rejected the Australian Human Rights Commission report on children in immigration detention as ‘blatantly partisan’. Angela Beresford says it’s obvious that the government is out of touch with society and reality.
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‘Coup-culture’ undermines Australian democracy
Troy Whitford | February 15, 2015Focusing on the leader, rather than the government, is undermining our democratic standards and fostering a deeper cynicism about politics. Dr Troy Whitford says we need to make sure the voter is central to changes.
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After the leadership spill a difficult task lies ahead for Tony Abbott
Dominic O'Sullivan | February 13, 2015Prime Minister Tony Abbott narrowly avoided a leadership spill on Monday. Associate professor in political science Dominic O’Sullivan analyses the main political problems the Prime Minister is facing now.
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We don’t need better politicians, we need a better system
Manuela Epstein | February 4, 2015How many of you have an interest in politics and have become disillusioned by the current political narrative? Manuela Epstein is part of the newDemocracy Foundation and says transparency is the key to a successful reform process.
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Terrorism, surveillance and intelligence: The next 5 years
Patrick Walsh | January 30, 2015Surveillance has become a dirty word since the Snowden leaks. Intelligence and security expert Dr Patrick Walsh says it’s simplistic to merely talk about a balance between privacy and security and argues that democratic states now need surveillance and intelligence more than ever.
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Lucky country needs to make our own luck
David Morris | January 30, 2015Tony Abbott’s error of judgement with his ‘knights and dames’ got us talking about how modern Australia has changed. David Morris looks back on our history and says we need to make our own luck as we always have.
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Lady budgets: An explainer
Kate Galloway | January 29, 2015Tony Abbott keeps finding himself the subject of attention of the wrong kind. Kate Galloway explains how the Prime Minister caused embarrassment when talking about his biggest achievement as Minister for Women.
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The political year that was
Binoy Kampmark | January 12, 2015Last year saw a range of worrying political and military activities worldwide. Binoy Kampmark predicts that this year is bound to follow the rhythm of violence and tumult that came in 2014.
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Political achievements and challenges
Dominic O'Sullivan | January 12, 2015Last year, the Abbott Government struggled with the transition from campaigning on shallow slogans to convincing the electorate of the good of its policy agenda. Dominic O’Sullivan sets the political scene for the 20 months that remain until the 2016 election.