In Dreamers and Schemers, the activities of male political elites take precedence over other social movements.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Australian political history
Displaying 21 - 39 of 39 articles
Australia has a long history of imaginative, even transformative, electoral politics – and a new book argues the 2022 federal election shows that spirit is still alive and well.
Ex-prime ministers have been a varied bunch - some committing themselves to public service; others firing shots from the sidelines. Scott Morrison appears to be taking an altogether different path.
There’s a good reason why first-term governments are re-elected – but Labor’s victory last month may not fit the mould.
Of 44 referendums put to the Australian people since federation, only eight have passed – but those championing a First Nations Voice to Parliament need not be deterred.
He is only the fifth Labor leader to win government from opposition since the first world war, and there’s every indication he will be a consensus prime minister.
Elections where a national security threat have been a major talking point have historically played well for incumbent governments. But this time is different.
The federal government rarely holds policy referendums. But research shows they are more common in the states and territories, and voters are more amenable to them than politicians might believe.
The opposition leader is straddling a middle ground: he is not disliked as his predecessor was, but voters also do not have a clear sense of who he is and what he offers.
Australia’s island identity and attitude to border security was forged from handling pandemics since the time of federation. Here’s what we’ve learned along the way.
It’s much harder to remove a minister these days than it used to be – and there’s no sign Bridget McKenzie’s departure will prove a damaging blow for the Morrison government.
Bob Hawke had a huge influence on Tim Harcourt deciding to become an economist. He looks back on a man who shaped a career, and a nation.
There are generally two kinds of federal election: one when the government is returned; the other when it is defeated. History tells us the former is far more common.
Our penchant for overturning political leaders didn’t appear overnight. But it has been intensified through constant polls and, in the Liberals’ case, the fact that the party allows it.
Creating epithets for political opponents has a long history in Australia – and when it works, it can be devastating.
Some have set the course for electoral victory, others have tanked. In any case, federal budgets are important moments in the life of governments – especially those that are a little wobbly.
The Australian prime ministership has never been easy, but the most successful tenures have been those in which the person has matched the circumstances.
The environmental issues we face are ideal recruiting for green parties, but the breakthroughs aren’t happening, and after 25 years as a federal party the Greens are still fighting on the same fronts.
With fringe right parties feasting on the margins of conservative political discontent in Australia, deeper questions are being asked about whether the Liberal Party itself is at risk.
Top contributors
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Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University
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Emeritus professor of politics, Monash University
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Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University
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Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra
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Senior Lecturer in History, Australian Catholic University
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Professor emerita, University of Sydney
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Senior Lecturer in Global Public Administration and Public Policy, Murdoch University
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Associate Professor, Paediatrics, Griffith University
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Professorial Fellow in History, The University of Melbourne
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Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Monash University
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Tony Walker is a Friend of The Conversation.
Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University
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Professor of Public Administration, Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University
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Professor, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong
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Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University
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Visiting Fellow, SPRU, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex
