By increasing their numbers within the government, the Nationals were the surprise success story of the election, with a very locally focused campaign.
Although Malcolm Turnbull has been returned to office, he faces considerable challenges.
David Moir/AAP
As we take necessary steps towards shedding discrimination in relation to marriage in Australia, we must also consider removing it from our legislation.
The well-co-ordinated Irish ‘yes’ campaign literally had its members knocking on doors throughout the country.
Reuters/Cathal McNaughton
Is it a problem that, according to Malcolm Turnbull, cabinet members would get a free vote on legislation enacting same-sex marriage after a successful plebiscite? If it is – and the logic suggests otherwise…
Managing the same-sex marriage issue could be extremely difficult for Malcolm Turnbull after the election.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The same-sex marriage debate, mostly at the margins of this campaign, has erupted between the parties and within the Liberals in a foretaste of the free-for-all a plebiscite would bring. Malcolm Turnbull…
Thursday’s vote will only be the third-ever UK-wide referendum.
Reuters/Toby Melville
How will the Brexit referendum work? And what distinguishes it from referendums that have been held in Australia?
In 2011 Malcolm Turnbull said federal Liberal Party members should be allowed to conduct a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Julian Smith/AAP
Not only is the Australian Christian Lobby losing relevance, it has had to appeal to Bill Shorten to pay attention to the group in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
Tony Abbott has been low key so far this election, spending much of his time campaigning in his own electorate, with some visits to MPs who invite him.
Both major parties have a platform that could ultimately facilitate same-sex marriage in Australia.
AAP/Alan Porritt
There is no convincing evidence that same-sex relationships are less stable than heterosexual relationships, nor that they have a negative impact on the children raised within them.
Australia detains asylum seekers in a country that criminalises homosexuality.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Western leaders and activists should show humility and allow themselves to be guided by local organisations if they wish to be effective in promoting same-sex rights.
Scott Morrison said the same-sex marriage plebiscite vote would be compulsory.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Treasurer Scott Morrison has flagged the prospect of ministers campaigning on both sides in the same-sex marriage plebiscite – as happened in the republic referendum.
Attorney-General George Brandis predicts the prospective plebiscite on legalising same-sex marriage would be carried.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The government’s fast timetable for a same-sex marriage plebiscite seems to strengthen the prospect of an election being held sooner rather than later.
Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity