What makes populism popular?

Populism offers easy answers to complicated problems, with charismatic leaders rather than innovative ideas, but whether its right wing attacks against the “elites”, or left wing bile aimed at big business, it’s proving an electoral success – encouraging more politicians to embrace it.

Say hello, wave goodbye

Trump’s abandonment of traditional allies and alliances should force Australia to rethink its priorities and cleave to long-established principles, rather than blindly follow the USA down a potentially disastrous path.

Policy outcomes from the Federal election

The dust has settled on Australia’s Federal election, and while the Liberal Party begins the long task of digging itself out of its electoral hole, bedrock problems such as productivity, tax reform and budget spending must be tackled by Labor.

Gluing the bench back together

The fall-out from the Liberals-Nationals split and potential reconciliation continues as David Littleproud and Sussan Ley jockey for supremacy and policy control.

Chinese whispers

Beijing would have us believe that Australian politicians cannot speak openly and honestly about China’s geopolitical ambitions without fear of losing Chinese-Australian voters. Don’t fall for it.

Breaking up the band

Like many a famous rock band, the Liberals and Nationals have a long, turbulent but highly successful history together, and their prospects apart look uncertain.

The end of the affair

The Nationals have pulled out of their long-standing coalition agreement with the Liberals in a potentially historic schism on the right-side of Australian politics.

Ley, Lady Ley

The Liberal’s election of a moderate woman as leader signals a shift back toward the centre-right as well as increasing their appeal to female swing voters.

Talking about Z generation

Voting patterns in the recent Federal election show that Labor can still bank on Millennials, for now, but educated Gen Z voters are far less convinced that traditional party structures deserve their loyalty or support.

Leadership trends in the public sector

Australian public workplaces are undergoing significant changes as leaders face new challenges in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

A long road back for the Liberals

Political parties can recover after a devastating election loss but the Liberals will need to think differently to take power again.

The Liberals turn to Ley

Sussan Ley added an “s” to her name as a joke when she was young, and has now added the leadership of the Liberal party to her list of accomplishments.