Despite arguments that it is too loose, ambiguous and easy to hide behind, the 'public interest' is an integral part of the discourse, law, regulation and governance of modern democracies.
We’re not sure if the cure, the populist outsider, will work and make life better. but we are willing to experiment as the old certainties of representative politics wither.
Ben White, Queensland University of Technology; Andrew McGee, Queensland University of Technology, and Lindy Willmott, Queensland University of Technology
There is now a reputable body of research evidence from places that have introduced assisted dying. MPs must examine that evidence before deciding how they will vote.
The Australian prime ministership has never been easy, but the most successful tenures have been those in which the person has matched the circumstances.
Historically, Australians have been leaders rather than followers on progressing social issues. But more recently, our leaders have trailed behind public opinion.
The release of the much-awaited papers from the parliamentary archives will lead to new appraisals of Lionel Murphy's life and work – including his alleged misbehaviour.
Rebel Wilson’s large damages award for defamation is a salutary lesson that defaming a celebrity can lead to a substantial payout for the economic harm done.
A preoccupied US combined with India, China and Russia protecting their own interests created the perfect conditions for Myanmar to settle its Rohingya issue
Big Issue sellers get social contact and dignity out of their work, but it's not a secure pathway out of poverty and homelessness. Social enterprises enable small steps; governments can do much more.
We’re not sure if the cure, the populist outsider, will work and make life better. but we are willing to experiment as the old certainties of representative politics wither.
It's a rare example of direct democracy – albeit non-compulsory and conducted by mail.
De facto couples still often have to go to great lengths to prove their relationship, unlike married couples, who need only furnish a marriage certificate.
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Ben White, Queensland University of Technology; Andrew McGee, Queensland University of Technology, and Lindy Willmott, Queensland University of Technology
There is now a reputable body of research evidence from places that have introduced assisted dying, and MPs must examine that evidence before deciding how they will vote.
As the opinion polls continue to show the government flagging, Malcolm Turnbull has slid into the ‘beleaguered’ column.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The Australian prime ministership has never been easy, but the most successful tenures have been those in which the person has matched the circumstances.
Protesters outside the Trump Tower in New York earlier this year.
Reuters
The last-minute bargaining on media reforms are a minimalistic band-aid response that will do nothing to prevent further concentration of Australia’s media landscape.
Undemocratic voting systems in local council elections are not limited to the City of Sydney.
AAP/Daniel McCullough
Queensland led the way in the 1920s – it's about time for the other states to catch up on reforming local council elections.
The default position in social and political theory is to disregard children altogether, or to consider them as learner-citizens.
AAP/Lucy Hughes Jones
The campaign against Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya is so extreme and violent with the intent of eliminating them from the country that it meets the criteria for genocide.
Teens most at risk of self-harm are those who are same-sex attracted or bisexual, or those with depression, anxiety or general feelings of unhappiness.
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In this episode of Change Agents, Andrew Dodd speaks with Darren Kindleysides and Don Rothwell on how Australia won a case against Japan's whaling activities at the International Court of Justice.
It is is a misperception to think that performance-enhancing drug use is only an issue in elite sport.
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