The Voldemort effect

The international and economic calculations behind Australia’s budget were shaped in the shadow of the Voldemort-like figure in the White House.

Thumbs up or down for the budget?

The Conversation asked five experts if this was the right budget for these economic times. Only two agreed, with three saying much more is needed to address long-term structural debt and meaningful economic reform.

The straight bat budget

The Albanese government’s fourth budget is a pitch for the votes of a sour and alienated electorate, framed against a background of extraordinary international uncertainty.

Betting each way on the Budget

This week’s Federal budget will have to balance short-term election giveaways with long-term national needs to boost Labor’s chances in the forthcoming general election.

Could Dutton tame Trump?

Most elections are won and lost on the sitting Government’s domestic record, but the Coalition’s approach to foreign affairs, defence and trade could become an important election issue given the international chaos provoked by American demagogue Donald Trump.

Fraser at 50

Fifty years ago, Liberal MPs chose Malcolm Fraser as their leader. Eight months later, he led them into power in extraordinary circumstances. He governed for seven and a half years, and remains Australia’s fourth-longest serving prime minister.

The AI election

The forthcoming Federal election will offer a test of how AI-driven information could shape Australia’s democracy in the future.

The independent election?

Opinion polls suggest neither major party block can be confident of winning the 76 seats required for a simple majority, opening the prospect of independent and crossbench MPs holding the balance of power.

Don’t point the finger

Australian voters are being targeted by divisive ‘them vs us’ strategies that overshadow policy debate but there are some ways to move past the soundbites.

Enough is enough?

As Donald Trump and his administration seem determined to antagonise or completely abandon their allies, middle powers like Australia will have to decide when enough is enough.

Labor needs a refreshed message

Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party’s hope of clinging to government in 2025 hinges on dramatically reshaping their pitch to voters more concerned about hip-pocket issues than broader economic messages.

Under the influence

Online influencers might not change the way you vote at the looming federal election but they’ll almost certainly shape how and why political events become ‘news’.