Political achievements and challenges

Last 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.

Everyone can benefit from paid parental leave changes

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has decided to redirect funds from his controversial paid parental leave scheme into early childhood education. Samantha Page, CEO of Early Childhood Australia, welcomes the policy change.

Rounding up the bikies: The implications for standing in Kuczborksi v Queensland

The court case challenging the Queensland bikie laws has been rejected. Binoy Kampmark provides some legal background to this landmark case.

Creating a good society, a better society or a more civil society?

Do we have a healthy balance between the state, the market and the community? Sociologist and activist Eva Cox says we need to work on how to restore government and community power to avoid dire consequences for our society.

Government gets B for effort on reforms, but will have to lift its game

The Abbott government recently held its Spring Repeal Day where legislation and regulation deemed unnecessary and costly is being cut. Cassandra Wilkinson says despite these efforts large deregulation opportunities remain.

Democracy. What democracy?

The word ‘democracy’ has its origins in the Greek language and combines ‘demos’ meaning citizen living within a state and ‘kratos’ meaning power or rule. Leicester Warburton deplores that our government is going about its business quietly without sufficiently consulting the public.

Government shall weary them

It has been recently suggested that the family home should be taken into account in determining age pension entitlements. Laurence Strano says this is the last thing we need as we are already over-governed and over-regulated.

New society to challenge public policy decision-making norms

The Society for Progress and Wellbeing is a movement where progress and wellbeing considerations will be just as important as financial considerations in decision making. Its Director Andrew Thornton says the Society wants to inspire like-minded people to champion this concept. 

The future of our students

The Federal Government continues to debate higher education reforms. Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann wonders how competing globally will help students complete their studies, ensure graduates find work and provide communities with qualified professionals to sustain them.

Why Australia needs a Multicultural Act

Australia's proposed move to ban the wearing of burqas in Parliament House has exposed cultural tensions and social distrust. Hsiao-Shan Fu says Australia needs to support its belief in a multicultural coexistence with a law.

What are voters’ attitudes to constitutional change?

Australians have been asked what they think of a constitutional reform. Bede Harris says the survey indicates that voters are far more willing to consider reform than has previously been supposed.

Community services for children or commercial economic services for GDP?

The Government has asked the Productivity Commission for a public inquiry into future options for childcare and early childhood learning. Social and political researcher Eva Cox explains why she is critical of the recommendations in the draft report.