Policy makers need to protect and promote the interests of people whose indigenous knowledge and toil developed a thriving national cannabis economy - in the face of harsh police crackdowns.
Veteran South African politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi addressing parliament in 2019.
EFE-EPA/Nic Bothma
Mangosuthu Buthelezi deserves better than being dismissed as an apartheid stooge. But he deserves little praise as an advocate for human rights and civil liberties.
Former South African President FW De Klerk at the opening of parliament recently. The Economic Freedom Fighters objected to his presence.
EFE-EPA/Reuters Pool
Scott Morrison dodged a bullet when the Nationals clung on to Michael McCormack. There was palpable relief when the news came through to the Liberals. “We still have a Coalition,” one MP was heard to say…
The Nationals' meltdown has been triggered by the forced resignation of Bridget McKenzie, and while only a new deputy needed to be elected, Joyce has seized the opportunity to make his leadership run.
Speaking with The Conversation's politics podcast, McCormack said in hindsight, it would have been better to have told Nationals who'd been agitating for the code that negotiations were underway.
The Deputy PM urges farmers considering leaving their farms to ‘take every bit of good advice available before they take that ultimate step’.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Deputy PM Michael McCormack on the drought and restive Nationals.
The Conversation, CC BY33.7 MB(download)
Following tensions in the Nationals party room over the bring-forward of the dairy code for Pauline Hanson, the Deputy PM admits that the party leadership mishandled the situation.
McKenzie wrote to Hanson saying the code - which would inrease the negotiating power of milk producers - would be ready later this year, instead of next year as indicated earlier.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Following a deal with Hanson, some Queensland NSW Nationals were so furious that a leak canvassed mutterings about the possibility of a “spill” move against deputy leader Bridget McKenzie.
Tim Fischer and his hat at the National Press Club in Canberra in 2012.
Alan Porrit/AAP
Former Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt reflects on the quirky and kind Tim Fischer.
Tim Fischer aboard a one-off passenger train last month to raise money for the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre trust fund.
Sally Evans/ Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund
Tim Fischer leaves behind a political and personal legacy. He defied sceptics, managed his troops, and the support he provided to John Howard was crucial in achieving gun control.
Raymond Louw, right, with then deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, middle, and veteran journalist Mathatha Tsedu in 2015.
GovernmentZA/Flickr
Raymond Louw will be remembered as a man of unbending principle.
It is often forgotten that the Liberals cannot govern without the support of the Nationals, and this has been the case for almost 100 years.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Cyril Ramaphosa is in pole position to become president of South Africa's ruling ANC, 20 years after he lost the position by Thabo Mbeki. But, it won't be easy. Neither will rebuilding the party.
South African President Jacob Zuma kneels as a pastor prays for him.
Reuters/Rogan Ward
Once again South Africa is facing the challenge of a compromised relationship between the state and the church. Is Nelson Mandela inadvertently responsible?
As the Nationals’ chief whip, George Christensen has a central role in keeping the party in line.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Bizarre as it might seem George Christensen, the rebel MP who threatened to cross the floor unless the government changed the superannuation package, is the Nationals’ chief whip. After the election Nationals…