Just ten MPs represent more than 600 threatened species in their electorates
Just a handful of federal members of parliament represent hundreds of Australia's threatened species.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Federal politics
Displaying 1 - 20 of 145 articles
Voters’ dislike of politics makes fixed four-year parliamentary terms look appealing
Australians are likely to vote for longer parliamentary terms. They want fewer elections and are dissatisfied with politics.
Bernardi split is symptomatic of a fractured political system, here and abroad
Bernardi’s defection from the Liberal Party this week is less important in itself than what it says about a wider trend towards a fracturing of Australian politics.
Trump takes on federal workforce of 2.8 million that’s showing signs of stress
The president manages more than 200 organizations that make up the federal government. A survey of 3,500 federal managers shows they struggle with recruiting and retaining skilled workers.
Turnbull sympathetic to parliamentary inquiry on 18C
The Prime Minister seems to be less resistant to changing the wording of 18C, after much campaigning on the topic from within his own party.
On the marriage equality plebiscite, let’s not confuse free speech with a free-for-all
Freedom of speech does not mean you can say anything to anyone, regardless of the damage it does – an important consideration in the debate over a same-sex marriage plebiscite.
Australia needs to lead again on democratic innovation
Australia’s national politicians again need to step up and lead the way on the inevitable process of national and global democratic innovation.
Ideas for Australia: Consensus versus the culture wars – getting the balance right
There have been policy issues in recent Australian history considered too important for playing party politics. Sadly, those days are long gone.
Why has the ‘ideas boom’ eluded the Turnbull government?
Five months into his prime ministership, it is difficult to know what Malcolm Turnbull really stands for, and his government risks paralysis as a result.
Turnbull faces his most taxing test yet: wooing the states to overhaul the GST
Despite all the media coverage, don't expect any clear decisions on national tax reform on Friday. But we should see more progress on other issues, including domestic violence and violent extremism.
Albanese offers Labor a counter to Turnbull’s polished charms
If Anthony Albanese becomes Labor leader, Australians will have the strongest ideological and stylistic contrast in major party leaders since Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke 33 years before.
Reporters or players? What is the media’s role in leadership struggles?
In leadership contests in particular, the media’s role is often markedly different from the competition between parties.
Two years in, even supporters despair of Abbott’s feeble government
So far, Tony Abbott has failed to position himself as anything more than an opposition leader who has been given power and is unsure what to do with it.
Zombie politics vs climate action: will the coming election focus on our future?
Australia's failure to lead on climate action marks a stark shift in political priorities in the past decade. The government is all about immediate economic returns whatever the long-term costs.
The politics of fear have trumped the politics of courage – more’s the pity
Campaigns are now more focused on how to manipulate the electorate so you can govern as you see fit once you get power.
Labor improves lead in Newspoll, as cabinet looks at carbon targets
The opposition has widened its two-party lead over the Coalition in Newspoll as MPs return for a new parliamentary session rocked by voters' anger over parliamentary entitlements.
Bishop resignation won’t end impact on Coalition
Combined, the nature of the controversy, Bishop’s behaviour as Speaker, and the way she and her party dealt with the issue created the perfect storm for a damaging scandal.
Why, among so many issues, Bronwyn Bishop’s helicopter trip gets our attention
To last a long time, issues need to provide a vivid image. The image of a woman dressed up to the nines with a bouffant hairdo riding in a helicopter is a very vivid one.
If Abbott’s finger is on election trigger, risk of misfire remains high
Tony Abbott’s leadership ratings and his standing as preferred prime minister have improved, but only to the point where he is roughly at level pegging with Bill Shorten.
Shorten’s trust deficit is limiting Labor’s opportunities
Bill Shorten has neither built the profile nor provided the performance that renders him prime minister-in-waiting rather than fragile whinger-in-chief.
Top contributors
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Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Monash University
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Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, Monash University
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Professor of Politics, University of Adelaide
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Senior Lecturer in Australian Politics, Monash University
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Dennis Altman is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University
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Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, UNSW
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Senior Lecturer, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University
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Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney
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Doctoral Candidate, Australian National University
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Honorary Research Associate, School of Social Sciences, La Trobe University
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PhD Candidate in Politics, La Trobe University
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Annabelle Lukin is a Friend of The Conversation.
Associate Professor in Linguistics, Macquarie University
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Deputy Director, Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith University
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