Aston loss piles pressure on Dutton

Labor’s triumph in the Aston by-election is the first time in a century that a government has gained a seat at a federal byelection, and increases the pressure on Peter Dutton’s Liberal leadership.

Better politics requires better reporting

If politics really is to be done differently, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised, then the way politics is reported will need to be done differently too.

Forward together

Anthony Albanese is poised to become Australia’s 31st prime minister, and he laid out his vision for his incoming administration in his victory speech on election night in his constituency.

Remembering Andrew Peacock

Andrew Peacock, one of Australia’s most urbane politicians, has died in the USA at the age of 82.

Apathy – Why?

The current government sets its sights no higher than remaining in office after the next election, but Australia needs a more fundamental rethink of its political system and policies.

Is this the end of the “American Century”?

Is the United States’ time in the sun as the world’s superpower coming to an end? While American exceptionalism reigns supreme, the Capitol Hill riots revealed a truth.

Trumpism down-under

Australians followed the 2020 presidential race in the United States with greater-than-usual interest, but the spectacle might herald a plausible descent for Australia’s politics, too.

Counterpoint by Mark Nicol – Trump, and the fracturing of the West

Western culture is a product of myriad influences, forces and ideas, and though assailed by internal critics and foreign foes, it has stood the test of time,. Donald Trump has posed as its defender, but he has failed to appreciate, let alone meet, its latest, and perhaps greatest, challenge.

Politics means never having to say you’re sorry

We judge the competency of politicians by what they say and do, and this creates perverse incentives for even competent politicians to refuse to admit mistakes.

Arvanitakis on American politics: Three key developments this week

Another frenetic week in American politics has seen gaffes from Joe Biden, urban rioting and a twitter temper tantrum from President Trump, but the most significant development may be China’s power grab in Hong Kong.

Bridging the divide in American politics

Attempts to bridge the stark divisions in American politics will become more important than ever in the common fight against coronavirus. Here’s some practical, bipartisan ways in which this can be done.

Time for political performance reviews?

Let’s embrace the idea we should manage politicians like an executive manages their direct reports. Let’s acknowledge we have not only the power but the responsibility to give feedback, hire the best leaders and fire poor performers.