National affairs
6 August 2010
As Australian political records tumble, Rodney Tiffen looks at the pitfalls of poll-watching and the lessons of post-war Australian elections
National affairs
4 August 2010
Despite the bipartisan consensus, Australia’s role in Afghanistan is demonstrably counterproductive, writes Brian Toohey
National affairs
29 July 2010
Culture and the arts have not featured prominently in this year’s election campaign. That’s a shame, writes Ben Eltham, because we badly need to debate…
National affairs
29 July 2010
It’s a federal election, but most of the issues in South East Queensland are local, writes Jane Goodall in Toowomba
National affairs
28 July 2010
It’s the focus on marginal seats that is excluding most of us from the election conversation, writes Norman Abjorensen, but that doesn’t mean the issues are…
National affairs
23 July 2010
The reasons for the Howard government’s electoral success are widely misunderstood
National affairs
23 July 2010
Schools policy is back on the election agenda, writes Ben Eltham. But will it lead to substantial reform?
National affairs
16 July 2010
People might have strong feelings about asylum seekers, but there’s no sign in the latest polls that harsher measures are a vote winner, writes Peter Browne
National affairs
15 July 2010
Australian policymakers are undoubtedly watching developments in Britain and the United States with interest. But how much can we learn from systems that are so different from our…
National affairs
8 July 2010
With the government and the opposition treading water, Brian Toohey looks at alternative ways forward
National affairs
7 July 2010
Judith Troeth is trying to persuade Liberals that the presence of more women in the parliamentary party will mean a larger pool of talent for ministerial and leadership positions,…
National affairs
6 July 2010
Labor power brokers persuaded Julia Gillard to toughen up on border protection because they believed the issue was damaging the party. But are boat arrivals really as electorally…
National affairs
1 July 2010
Forty-one mayors and a state government in crisis means that no one is in charge of Sydney, writes Jim Colman
National affairs
30 June 2010
Compared with other countries, Australia’s progress in giving women access to political power is patchy, writes Marian Sawer
National affairs
28 June 2010
Julia Gillard doesn’t owe the factions any favours, writes her biographer, Jacqueline Kent
National affairs
28 June 2010
Kevin Rudd’s downfall revealed the limits of Labor’s ability to introduce reforms opposed by powerful interests, writes Geoffrey Barker
National affairs
24 June 2010
The former PM never really understood the party he led, writes Norman Abjorensen
National affairs
24 June 2010
A visit to Australia’s most remote outpost highlights the failure of the federal government to lead a rational debate, writes Klaus Neumann
National affairs
23 June 2010
Have the wrong kind of people – men – wielded too much power in New South Wales, asks Tony Smith
National affairs
22 June 2010
The Australian government should swing its support behind the growing international campaign for a banking levy, writes Ross Buckley, and then it should join the push for…
National affairs
17 June 2010
A change of leader is the last thing the government needs
National affairs
17 June 2010
Combined with the shortcomings of the media’s reporting, the government’s weaknesses are hiding some pretty good news, writes Rodney Tiffen
National affairs
16 June 2010
Although he’s largely unknown outside the ACT, Jon Stanhope is one of Australia’s most intriguing political figures
National affairs
10 June 2010
Despite the puzzling poll results, it would be premature to write off the government, says Geoffrey Barker
National affairs
9 June 2010
The federal government has increased the stakes in the debate over mining taxes. Stephanie Brookes looks at the thinking behind the government’s ad blitz –…
National affairs
3 June 2010
Legislation before parliament will give the immigration minister new power to “terminate” certain classes of visa application, reports Peter Mares
National affairs
27 May 2010
The heart sees a government in big trouble; the head knows that first-term governments usually survive. Either way, it’s time for the government to throw away its rulebook,…
National affairs
25 May 2010
Why did most of the media run dead on the Securency bribery allegations?
National affairs
21 May 2010
“Mrs Bao” is still waiting for the Australian government to respond to requests from the Commonwealth ombudsman and the United Nations Human Rights Committee.…
National affairs
18 May 2010
Whatever NAPLAN’s limitations, it does provide intriguing information about how different school systems perform, writes Dahle Suggett