Rural and regional Australia is a big and diverse place, but some broad common issues do emerge as policy priorities.
Current levels of population growth become a problem for Australians when investment in infrastructure like public transport fails to keep up.
David Moir/AAP
Population growth in Australia is a problem mainly because of the lack of a coherent national policy to manage it. The focus needs to be on maintaining quality of life through sustainable growth.
A fierce battle over the medevac legislation has not affected the polls, which continue to show Labor with an election-winning lead.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Despite a week of heated debate over the medevac legilation, the latest polls continue to show Labor with an election-winning lead.
If Bill Shorten becomes the next Australian prime minister, he will have much on his side but will need to be wary of low voter trust in politicians.
Lukas Coch/AAP
If Bill Shorten becomes the next prime minister, his government is likely to be more preoccupied with economic inequality than the Hawke or Keating Labor governments.
It is becoming harder to argue that neoliberal market solutions, from tax cuts to deregulation, will necessarily benefit and protect ordinary voters.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Whether they form the next government or not, the Liberals need to reconsider their reliance on neoliberal economics, which may no longer be serving the party – or the country.
The level of democratic satisfaction in Australia has steadily decreased in recent years.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The dire level of trust in Australia’s government and politicians has serious implications for the health of our democracy. Whoever wins the next federal election must make fixing it a priority.
With the Coalition and Labor presenting several policy differences, this can be seen as a very ideological election.
AAP/Lukas Coch
As Australians’ trust in politicians continues to slide, whoever wins the 2019 will need to work hard to restore it if it has any hope of bringing about genuine reform.
Your voting preference might be subtly influenced by social media exposure in the lead up to an election.
Ellen Smith/AAP
If another country wants to weaponise data hacked through Australia’s parliament, we’ll likely see them try to inflame religious and ethnic differences, and drive votes to minor parties.
Prime Minister Morrison said there was no evidence of electoral interference linked to a hack of the Australian Parliament House computer network.
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A Queensland Galaxy poll taken at the same time shows a healthier lead for Labor - but more polls are needed to determine any trends in voting ahead of the federal election.
Both Labor and Coalition governments have had run-ins with the ABC.
Wes Mountain/The Conversation
The national broadcaster has had a tumultuous history, targeted by both major parties at various times. No matter who takes office after the 2019 election, the ABC can never rest easy.
Cross-benchers Kerryn Phelps, Julia Banks and Rebekah Sharkie celebrate the passing of the Medevac bill.
AAP/Lukas Coch
While the Constitution was brought into play in the debate on this bill, it actually has little to say on the matter – and the government can still govern despite its passing.
Tony Abbott’s electorate is getting so socially progressive, he may soon be left behind.
MICK TSIKAS/AAP
Just as with Kevin07, formerly Coalition-friendly independents gave life-long centre-right voters a way to break ranks without feeling like they were being disloyal. Zali Steggall is doing the same.
The goal of every public appearance or interview by a politician is to “stay on message”. In itself, it’s not a malign tactic but the constant repetition of the same messages without answering questions can be a form of obfuscation.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion and Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation, Michael Keenan, have announced they will leave politics at this year’s election.
US President Donald Trump and Republicans are losing the blame game over the shutdown.
AAP/EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo
Spamming in texts or by robo-calls may seem perverse, but it’s unlikely to disappear. Here are some things you can expect leading up to the May election, and why they’re allowed.
Senior Lecturer in Political Science: Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute; Research Associate for Centre for Policy Futures, University of Queensland, James Cook University