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Explainers

EXPLAINER

Explainer: What’s wrong with the environment law reboot?

The Federal Government has passed reforms to federal environment laws with amendments from the Greens. The amendments have improvements in relation to native forest logging, illegal landclearing and fossil fuel projects, but there are still plenty of problems.

EnvironmentClimate
Explainer: What’s wrong with the environment law reboot?

EXPLAINER

Five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria

We're one year out from the Victorian state election - policies to strengthen the state's democracy could define next year’s election.

Democracy & Accountability
Five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria

EXPLAINER

Parliament sits for less than half the year – what do politicians do the rest of the time?

The Government has announced 18 sitting weeks for 2026 - should they be sitting more and what does the rest of the year look like?

Democracy & Accountability
Parliament sits for less than half the year – what do politicians do the rest of the time?

EXPLAINER

Timeline: How Australia’s failed COP bid overshadowed our climate action failure

Why did Australia, the world’s second-largest exporter of fossil fuels by emissions, want to host COP?

Climate
Timeline: How Australia’s failed COP bid overshadowed our climate action failure

EXPLAINER

Today’s China in Seven Life Stories

As China shapes the world, who are the people shaping China?

International Affairs
Today’s China in Seven Life Stories

EXPLAINER

Five times freedom of information shone a light on secretive government processes

The Government is proposing to make the FOI process lengthier, more expensive, and more secretive. These examples demonstrate why that's bad news.

Democracy & Accountability
Five times freedom of information shone a light on secretive government processes

EXPLAINER

If the Opposition is not the alternative government, what is the point of it?

With Victoria on its third Oppostion Leader in a year, and speculation about pressure on the Federal and NSW Liberals, we're left wondering: what makes an Opposition Government?

Democracy & Accountability
If the Opposition is not the alternative government, what is the point of it?

EXPLAINER

Is Donald Trump right about trade deficits?

International Affairs
Is Donald Trump right about trade deficits?

EXPLAINER

Illegal smoking police raids are being done to raise tax

There is news this week of police raiding illegal tobacco shops in Sydney. This is an interesting story where the issue is not so much about crime as tax.

Society & Culture
Illegal smoking police raids are being done to raise tax

EXPLAINER

Interest rates cuts have reduced the cost of living for employee households

After last week’s inflation figures the government got some good news from today’s Cost of Living figures.

Economy
Interest rates cuts have reduced the cost of living for employee households