Legal precedents hold that criminalizing someone for their status, such as being homeless, is cruel and unusual punishment. But what if that status leads to actions like sleeping in public spaces?
New research shows giving women more resources to balance their competing work and domestic lives would help even gender disparity at all levels of political representation.
As in the federal and state governments, local elected officials are more likely to be white than their constituents. At times, such as with school boards, the differences are particularly stark.
Power companies can be publicly or privately owned and may report to corporate boards, local governments or co-op members. But there’s no one best way to deliver electricity reliably and affordably.
Angela Rayner’s expansive policy brief faces the threat of ‘short-termism’ perhaps more than any other. If Labour win power, will Rayner be able to fight against these short-term political incentives?
Local councils lack the means to tackle homelessness, but are often closest to the people at risk. A national plan should recognise and resource the role councils can play in preventing homelessness.
Our elected representatives should simply choose to open their official council meetings with something more inclusive and representative of the whole community.
One-third of local councils have rules to stop pet cats roaming because of their major impacts on wildlife. More councils want to get on board but many are hampered by state laws.
A national survey shows that, while Australians see the traditional council services as very important, most support local government involvement in a much broader range of issues and activities.
New Zealand’s largest city is governed by a small, remote body with only a semblance of representative democracy. Given the city’s massive challenges, is that good enough?
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University