National affairs
1 July 2015
Big numbers have a tendency to take on a life of their own, writes Tom Westland
National affairs
26 June 2015
Referendums don’t bring out the best in the Australian political system, writes Peter Brent. But that shouldn’t stop us from picking our way through the minefield
National affairs
23 June 2015
With declining reach and influence, the Murdoch empire can no longer determine election results, writes Rodney Tiffen
National affairs
23 June 2015
Talks between the Australian Football League, the National Rugby League and the biggest digital companies highlight the pressures on free-to-air broadcasters, writes Brett Hutchins
National affairs
19 June 2015
Labor’s state election successes during the Howard era propelled ill-equipped party heavies into Canberra, writes Peter Brent. The Killing Season is showing us some…
National affairs
11 June 2015
The prime minister’s attacks on NATSEM’s modelling can’t hide the fact that resources have been taken away from lower-income households, write Peter …
National affairs
5 June 2015
Despite the publicity given to their plight, international students are still highly disadvantaged in the workforce, write Joo-Cheong Tham, Martina Boese and Iain Campbell
National affairs
3 June 2015
Has Australia’s finance sector grown unsustainably powerful? Two landmark speeches highlight the scale of the problem, writes Michael Gill
National affairs
29 May 2015
Opposition leaders generally get a positive swing at their first election, writes Paul Rodan. Bill Shorten will probably need more than that
National affairs
28 May 2015
There’s no such thing as “us” and “them,” writes Andrew Leigh. A good social safety net is there for all of us
National affairs
25 May 2015
A referendum on same-sex marriage would be a bad idea, writes Peter Brent. But the fact that the issue has got to this point says a lot about the Labor Party
National affairs
22 May 2015
Largely overlooked in the federal budget was a measure that will push more people into the black economy, writes Henry Sherrell
National affairs
20 May 2015
ICAC risks becoming a toothless tiger if the recommendations of a NSW government review don’t restore all or most of its powers, argues a former Appeals Court judge
National affairs
14 May 2015
Has Australia cut itself adrift from international law? Savitri Taylor looks at the implications of recent refugee-related legislation
National affairs
13 May 2015
It’s the kind of budget Australian governments release when things aren’t going so well, writes Tim Colebatch. But its shaky assumptions could easily rebound…
National affairs
12 May 2015
Andrew Leigh takes a data-driven look at what the critics say about young Australians
National affairs
12 May 2015
Tonight’s federal budget will formalise the government’s backdown on indexation of pensions but preserve the impact of lower indexation for many families, writes…
National affairs
7 May 2015
Despite the policy differences, the Greens have important things in common with the major parties, writes Peter Brent
National affairs
5 May 2015
Victoria’s Labor treasurer might have echoed Tolstoy in his budget speech, writes Tim Colebatch, but the fine print doesn’t rise to the challenges facing the state
National affairs
4 May 2015
This week’s Victorian budget has passed up the opportunity to borrow at historically cheap rates to fund essential infrastructure, writes Tim Colebatch
National affairs
28 April 2015
The evidence shows that trade deals struck primarily for political reasons can cause significant economic damage, writes Shiro Armstrong
National affairs
23 April 2015
Inflated expectations are the baggage of Australia’s recent resources boom, writes Michael Gill. They’re starting to look like a burden
National affairs
23 April 2015
More French soldiers died at Gallipoli than Australians, writes Nic Maclellan, and many of the allied troops were African and Indian
National affairs
13 April 2015
The new rules sought by premier Colin Barnett would have cost the state $7 billion during the boom years, writes Tim Colebatch. Is this an attempt to make the current…
National affairs
13 April 2015
Despite the campaign against chief justice Tim Carmody, Queensland is stuck with him, writes Andrew Lynch. But future governments should draw the right lessons from the furore
National affairs
8 April 2015
With a dramatically rising population and falling infrastructure spending, the pressure for action is growing, writes Tim Colebatch
National affairs
7 April 2015
The federal government has put thousands of valid applications for permanent residency visas on indefinite hold, writes Peter Mares. Migrants already living and working…
National affairs
2 April 2015
Unexpected wins in 1993, 1998 and 2001 have distorted the way we interpret election results, writes Peter Brent. The effects are still influencing how political players…
National affairs
31 March 2015
Can the Coalition – and Labor and the Greens – rise to the challenge of tax reform? Tim Colebatch assesses the government’s discussion paper
National affairs
30 March 2015
Once the natural party of government, the Liberal Party has been performing badly across Australia for thirty years or more, writes Tim Colebatch. Mike Baird has shown…