What are the effects of coal seam gas on the health of Queenslanders?

A 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.

Join the debate on security and privacy

The proposition is ‘Only the wicked need fear government spying’ on 31 March in Sydney at the first IQ2 debate of 2015.

Children in immigration detention: government sanctioned child abuse?

Tony 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.

‘Coup-culture’ undermines Australian democracy

Focusing 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.

After the leadership spill a difficult task lies ahead for Tony Abbott

Prime 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.

We don’t need better politicians, we need a better system

How 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.

Lucky country needs to make our own luck

Tony 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.

Terrorism, surveillance and intelligence: The next 5 years

Surveillance 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.

Lady budgets: An explainer

Tony 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.

The political year that was

Last 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.

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.