The issues that captured the world’s attention this year show the struggle to secure human rights is far from over.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
In the final sitting week for the year, the encryption bill was finally passed, and the Liberal Party changed its rules to prevent sitting prime ministers being toppled.
As both sides played the tactics, a remarkable thing happened in the House of Representatives. Behaviour improved 100%, with
none of the usual screaming and exchanges of insults.
On the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it is worth remembering how it provided America with an unparalleled position of power following the second world war.
The biggest issues of 2018, with The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katharine Viner.
The Conversation, CC BY58.6 MB (download)
In conversation with Andrew Dodd, Andrea Carson and Matthew Ricketson, The Guardian's editor-in-chief discusses the big stories of 2018 and what she sees as the major challenges of 2019.
Random-controlled testing is widely accepted in medicine, and yet voters are not convinced this would be a good approach to testing out government policy before it is implemented.
Primary prevention programs with a footballing focus aim to change behaviours and attitudes among men towards women.
Formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seats such as Hawthorn and Nepean have fallen to Labor in the wash-up of Labor's thumping state election win.
Star basketball players are suffering the fallout from a race scare campaign by politicians from the Liberal party over crimes committed by a small number of young people who came to Australia from South Sudan
Australians' trust in politicians and democracy continues to plummet, posing significant problems for the effective running of the country.
Since leaving secure jobs in newsrooms, employment has been unstable for many former journalists – but job satisfaction has been surprisingly high.
This and Turnbull's observations on energy policy provided abundant material for a question time attack by Labor bloated from dining on the unending manna that's been flowing from political heaven.
The royal commission will examine the conduct of a defence barrister who became an informant to the police - supplying information on her own clients that had been given to her in strict confidence.
While anger mobilises opposition to coal seam gas projects, it is also joy, especially the joy of social connection, that helps to sustain involvement.
The results of three surveys show that, in testing public opinion, much hangs on how the questions are asked and the surveys are designed.
The right is strong within the
party. And with the Morrison government now dealing with a hung parliament, there has been a risk that a disendorsed Kelly could defect to the
crossbench.
The violence of the protests that have gripped France, known as the gilets jaunes, is rooted in personal passion and anger.
In the wash-up of the G20 meetings, it seems China has come away with the better deal – at least for now.
Kelly has threatened to run as an independent if he loses preselection and also at times has left the way open to go to the crossbench.
Research shows that in elections with low information and poor engagement, candidate attractiveness plays a significant role in how people vote.
While some complaint that anti-discrimination laws stifle freedom of speech, there is good evidence that they make a more harmonious, safe and equal society.
The belief in so-called 'white genocide', once an extreme-right view of neo-Nazis, is starting to gain ground in Australia and influence the rhetoric of politicians.
Michelle Grattan speaks to Deep Saini about the week in Australian politics.
While the Liberals are losing out
politically because of their low female representation and inability to properly address the problem, on the crossbench the women are now standouts (and a majority).
The final report on constitutional recognition is disappointing in many respects, but Labor's pledge to establish a First Nations voice will give many in the community hope.
The Australian justice system must do more to acknowledge the colonial system on which it is built, which inherently privileges whiteness.
Josh Frydenberg on the Liberal troubles.
CC BY21.5 MB (download)
Frydenberg reiterates that the Liberal party is still a "broad church" and says he isn't concerned about other MPs like Craig Kelly following Banks' suit.
Research and News
Neither government nor opposition on Wednesday night saw any chance of
further movement before parliament rises on Thursday.
Morrison described the rule change as historic and the biggest in the
74 years of the party's history.
Malcolm Turnbull has struck back angrily at a report that he has been helping independent Kerryn Phelps, his successor in Wentworth, as chaos continues to fracture the Liberals.
The legislation also will enable the Foreign Minister to specify extra people, such
as a hostage, who may be protected by an ASIS staffer or agent.
The Victorian backbencher has announced she is quitting the party to join the crossbench, launching a scathing attack on the right wing of the Liberal Party in the process.
In a critique of federal influences in the rout of the Victorian Liberals, Ryan, a former vice-president of the state division, pointed to swings in seats “that are the cradle of the Liberal party”.
The ALP estimates the battery subsidy would triple the number of battery systems in Australian households. The policy sets a national target of one million household battery installations by 2025.
The O'Dwyer statement has an eye to areas where Labor has been taking the running. One focal point is seeking to improve the capacity of victims of domestic violence to rebuild their lives.
The Institute's analysis suggests that, at best, after next year's half-Senate
election the ALP and Greens could have 38 senators – although more likely they would have 37.
A new poll reveals many Australians want to cut their electricity bills - but many also want to reduce emissions.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the Malaysian leader has a history of making derogatory comments about Jews.
Frydenberg and Porter said ASIC’s increased enforcement activity was expected to lead to “more prosecutions by the CDPP and more civil
corporate misconduct cases before the Federal Court.”
The opt-out period for the controversial My Health Record scheme is
being extended again – this time to January 31.
In a speech titled “After the Midterms”
Fullilove warns Australia may need to increase its defence spending beyond the present commitment and urges the government to reverse some of its cuts to aid.
The Newspolls have been consistently worse for the Coalition since the
leadership change – before that Labor had been cut back to a narrow 51-49% lead.
Democracy Futures
While anger mobilises opposition to coal seam gas projects, it is also joy, especially the joy of social connection, that helps to sustain involvement.
Any amateur politician can engage in lying. President Donald Trump is going further than that. He's engaging in 'post-truth'.
Don't be misled
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
The federal government's the stubborn commitment to coal is pulling the government’s economic policy towards the sort of state socialism it is supposed to abhor.
Australian prime ministers have long been interested in the names they go by, and how others should address them. But will the "ordinary Joe" approach pay off for ScoMo and Bill?
Podcast
Food fraud, the centuries-old problem that won’t go away.
The Conversation55.8 MB (download)
Dairy farmers used to put sheep brains and chalk in skim milk to make it look frothier and whiter. Coffee, honey and wine have also been past targets of food fraudsters. Can the law ever keep up?
If Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen had not been Muslim, it is highly unlikely he would have been imprisoned in a Supermax facility for four weeks on flimsy evidence.
Gavin McInnes will be the latest in a string of provocative, right-wing speakers to visit Australia. Each tour pushes the public debate further to the right, with more scope for conflict.
Other conservatives parties in the Western world have done better on female representation than the Liberals - the party needs a gender quota and to rid itself of its right-wing thugs.
Job Board
Where experts find jobs
-
Lecturer Nurse Practitioner
-
Research Associate
-
Research Biostatistician
-
Lecturer in Digital and Social Media
-
Senior Coordinator Student Career Development
Events
-
Sydney Ideas: Human rights - what lies ahead for the next 70 years? — University of Sydney
-
International Symposium on ethical algorithms — University of Sydney
-
How to Build Ethical Organisations? — University of Technology Sydney
-
Australian Gender Economics Workshop: Call for papers now open — RMIT University
How we are different
10 reasons
Most Read past week
- Grattan on Friday: Hokey-pokey politics as the government is shaken all about
- View from The Hill: Malcolm Turnbull and his NEG continue to haunt the government
- Historical fall of Liberal seats in Victoria; micros likely to win ten seats in upper house; Labor leads in NSW
- View from The Hill: Craig Kelly triumphs in the ‘outwit, outplay, outlast’ game of Survivor
- Australians think immigration should be cut? Well, it depends on how you ask
Pitch an idea
Got a news tip or article idea for The Conversation?
Our Audience
The Conversation has a monthly audience of 10.7 million users, and reach of 38.2 million through Creative Commons republication.
Want to Write?
Write an article and join a growing community of more than 76,800 academics and researchers from 2,650 institutions.
Make a Donation
The Conversation relies on sector, government and reader support. If you would like to help us have even better conversations, then you may like to make a one-off or on-going donation.