National affairs
11 September 2019
With the current system favouring gridlock, it’s time to look again at how both houses are elected
National affairs
20 August 2019
Attempts to change the Constitution often fail, but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying
National affairs
21 July 2019
An edited extract from the former chief justice’s speech this week
National affairs
30 May 2019
Mark Latham’s plan for the NSW upper house sidesteps rather than confronts parliament’s problems
National affairs
8 May 2019
Election 2019 | New South Wales has some lessons for the Senate
Essays & reportage
19 February 2019
Parliament unworkable? There are precedents for sending MPs back to the people, but they might not embolden the governor-general
National affairs
14 February 2019
The major parties’ contrasting campaign styles have been on display this week
National affairs
14 November 2018
The Voice and the republic might just add up to a winning combination
National affairs
27 September 2018
Could section 58 of the Constitution awaken in an era of minority government?
National affairs
21 September 2018
Are the old days of majority government coming to an end?
National affairs
30 August 2018
From the archive | In 2010 Judith Troeth called for quotas to increase the number of Liberal women in parliament. She’s still waiting for the party to tackle the problem
Books & arts
28 August 2018
Television | With just days to gather its material, Four Corners found a way to explore the human impact of power
National affairs
27 August 2018
We’ll never know whether people like Peter Dutton are eligible to sit in parliament unless the High Court hears his case
National affairs
3 July 2018
Viewed warmly on both sides of politics and in the media, the finance minister is playing a vital role for the government
National affairs
1 June 2018
Wayne Swan looks back on twenty-five years in politics, and a big mistake
National affairs
21 May 2018
On the figures, a sympathetic majority in the upper house seems unlikely after the next election
National affairs
16 May 2018
Australian political dynasties aren’t as rare as you might think
National affairs
20 February 2018
How did Australia’s upper house evolve into a part-elected, part-nominated body?
National affairs
12 February 2018
Thanks to section 44 (and resignations), the current Senate might be the least democratic in Australian history. But it can be fixed
National affairs
8 December 2017
Parliament’s citizenship register is packed with declarations. Not all of them are terribly illuminating, but that’s not necessarily the fault of the MPs
National affairs
19 November 2017
The process for replacing senators means we could be in for a long series of High Court hearings. Will the 2016 election never end?
National affairs
13 November 2017
The dual citizenship story is far from over — and perhaps it was Barnaby Joyce who hit the nail on the head
National affairs
3 November 2017
The High Court thinks establishing citizenship is straightforward. Our correspondent thinks otherwise
National affairs
1 November 2017
Labor can implement key Uluru Statement proposals, and it doesn’t need a referendum to do it
Essays & reportage
21 September 2017
The veteran press gallery reporter survived a contempt of parliament charge to report on federal politics for half a century. This is an edited version of his farewell speech to…
Essays & reportage
18 September 2017
Despite Nick Xenophon’s efforts, less powerful players were squeezed out of the media reform deal
National affairs
30 August 2017
The full text of George Williams’s provocative National Press Club speech
Books & arts
22 August 2017
Television | Annabel Crabb’s new series raises the question: is parliament living up to its house?
National affairs
15 August 2017
From the archive | The High Court keeps fertilising the thicket of rules disqualifying candidates. Simplification is long overdue
National affairs
18 July 2017
The fall of two Green senators highlights the need to deal with some anachronistic election rules