Weak economic data and sluggish wages have contributed to the Coalition’s poor showing in the latest Newspoll, which gives Labor a 54-46 lead on two-party preferred.
Whoever forms the next government should increase investment in foreign affairs and trade, finding ways to make Australia more prominent in global dispute resolution.
The current community support program that allows Australians to sponsor a refugee’s resettlement is flawed. It exploits the goodwill of the community while shifting costs away from the government.
On racist dog-whistling and on climate change, the “right” now finds itself on the wrong side of public opinion – so the acrimonious public debates on ideological lines may be coming to an end.
No matter who forms government after the next election, managing Australia’s relationship with China will continue to be a major challenge, and vitally important in a region remaking itself.
Despite some progress in recent years in addressing gender-based violence, there is still a long way to go. A concerted and holistic approach is needed.
Marriage equality was an important step for LGBTI+ rights in Australia, but there are many other areas in which LGBTI+ people in Australia still face discrimination.
Schools funding doesn’t pass the playground test of fairness: state schools get less government funding than governments themselves say the schools need.
Australia is losing mammals faster than any other country, as well as plenty more plants and animals besides. Extinction is theft from future generations – it’s time to treat it as such.
Instead of paying lip service to promoting Indigenous Australians’ rights as First Nations, the next federal government should be guided by the Uluru Statement from the Heart to make real progress.
Bill Shorten is committed to an Australian head of state, but it will likely take lost priority to constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Australia’s current greenhouse emissions target is not ambitious enough, and we’re not on track to hit even this modest goal. But the potential is there to hit zero emissions by mid-century if we try.
The prime minister is remaining stoic about the loss of a batch of ministers ahead of this year’s election, but in truth it points to the Coalition’s dim chances of re-election.
The defence minister and defence industry minister are set to become the latest in a string of high-profile government MPs exiting at the upcoming election.
Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney et Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney
Paying doctors a fee for each service they provide isn’t delivering optimal value for the health dollar. Instead, we should pay doctors a lump sum to care for a patient’s medical problem over time.
Subsidies for private health insurance premiums cost the government over A$6 billion a year. Is it time to scrap the rebate and redirect these funds elsewhere in the health system?
If the next government is serious about protecting Australian businesses and families, here are seven concrete actions it should take immediately upon taking office.
Senior Lecturer in Political Science: Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute; Research Associate for Centre for Policy Futures, University of Queensland, James Cook University