Don’t listen to that little bird

As the hours tick down to the opening of the polls on Saturday, Australians should be extra alert for scams and misinformation.

State of the nation

While many Australians have already voted at pre-poll stations and by post, the politicking continues right up until May 3 so what’s happened across the country over the past five weeks?

Political theatre

Australian politics tends to shy away from grand spectacle, but Albanese and Dutton both need to reassure a restless public that, amid global chaos, Australia remains anchored in pragmatism.

The advertising blitz

Advertising of any kind is as atrocious as it is incessant, and political advertising is no different although its impact may not be as great as many politicians like to think.

Expecting more from Albanese

Anthony Albanese offered Australia a safe pair of hands in his first term, but if he wins a second term, he will need to show more dynamism and ambition to leave his mark on history.

Understanding Dutton

Like his mentor John Howard, Peter Dutton is a man of strong political instincts rather than ideology, but will that be enough to propel him into office?

The independent option

Independent MPs are playing an ever more prominent role in Australian politics and will play a pivotal role in deciding Australia’s government if Saturday’s election produces a hung parliament.

The price of party promises

The major parties have been generous with their promises in the election campaign, but conspicuously delay releasing the costs of their election pledges as long as possible to minimise voter scrutiny or revolt.

The young ones

For the first time, Gen Z and Millennials hold most of the voting power in this Federal election, so how might they wield it?

Fumbling the ball

The Coalition went into the election campaign neck and neck with Labor, but some campaign fumbles have seen Labor stretch ahead, so what’s gone wrong for Peter Dutton?

Understanding preference voting

Australia’s parliamentary system is complicated by its proportional representation system, so knowing how preferences work is the key to making your vote count, before you get to enjoy your hard-earned democracy sausage.

The central battleground

Pundits and political scientists like to repeat that we live in an age of political polarisation but Australia’s parliamentary system means the major parties tend to converge by fighting for the centre ground.