Democracy & Accountability
Popular policies would be a better revenue raiser than taking fossil fuel and gambling donations
Australians are naturally suspicious of corporate donations, especially when they come from vested interests with everything to gain from influencing government decision-making. But are these donations large enough to explain why politicians act the way they do? The reality is that political donations from harmful industries are small relative to the payments parties receive from you, the voter.
'Perfectly legal to lie': report exposes gaps in political ad laws
The Australian Ad Observatory report has warned that online political messaging in Australia “remains murky territory, lacking in transparency and accountability.”
Election landslides aren't legacies, but a 25% gas tax could define Albanese's
The decisions made by Anthony Albanese in the next month will likely define Labor’s legacy for decades to come. Surging energy prices give the PM a unique opportunity to tax the gas industry, fund the services Australians are crying out for, improve the budget bottom line and expose the shallowness of Pauline Hanson’s support for ‘ordinary Australians’.
Factcheck: Angus Taylor’s claim that expanding Parliament “could cost $620 million” is misleading
Liberal leader Angus Taylor claims that expanding Parliament “could cost taxpayers more than $620 million”. This figure is misleading, relying on unclear assumptions and omitting important context.
Australia’s electorates have doubled in size within a generation, diluting voter representation
Australians now have to share their local member with twice as many people as they used to. Given this, it is not surprising that Australia Institute polling research finds most Australians have never called or written to them, and would not feel comfortable approaching them with a problem.
The Wrap: A missed opportunity to face reality
Last night, the Australian Prime Minister had the chance to face reality. His address to the nation was a recognition that Australians are deeply worried about the state of the world – as they should be. What the prime minister did not say is that this trouble lies at the feet of the President of the United States.
Is our constitutional system democratic?
An extract from The People's Guide to the Australian Constitution by Rosalind Dixon and William Partlett, published by UNSW Books
Beware nostalgia for a two-party system that never really existed
Australia’s “two-party system” looks uncertain, and in South Australia it would be fair to say it has ceased to exist altogether with the far-right minor party, One Nation, winning more votes and about as many seats as the Liberal Opposition.
Running on empty: Australia’s hard truths on security
Energy security is national security. And for all the posturing from conservatives about “seeing Mad Max levels around the country right now” (whatever that means, the LNP’s Phil Thompson), they did this.
'Beggars belief': firm behind BoM website bungle gets new government web deal
The consulting firm behind the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) heavily criticised website has been awarded another multi-million-dollar government contract to build a new climate platform.
