Democracy & Accountability
Why Australia needs more politicians (yes, you read that correctly)
Although politicians are not popular, there are good reasons to want more of them. The Australian population has grown by 11 million since the last increase in the number of politicians, leaving local members stretched thin.
High Court to hear that the deck is stacked against independents and minor parties
A new High Court case is set to challenge the constitutionality of Australia’s political donation laws. It is the third such case currently on foot, and if successful it could help level the playing field for independents and minor parties.
What did Adani get for the money it gave to the Queensland Liberal National Party?
If only we knew then what we know now. In August 2025, Queensland’s LNP Government announced it was abandoning a court case against Adani over unpaid coal royalties, a case that started in 2023 under the Labor government.
Government accused of "failing to meet the moment" on consultancy ethics after PwC scandal
The Albanese Government has been accused of being a “government of gestures” that has “failed to meet the moment” after responding to two parliamentary inquiries into the consultancy sector and its ethics.
The 'angry men' theory of One Nation is wrong
Take a moment to imagine 'a typical One Nation voter.' If you’re imagining someone middle aged or older, you’re on the right track. If you’re imagining someone who lives in rural or regional Australia, you’d be right. Likewise, you’d be correct if you’re imagining someone with a TAFE qualification or high school education, rather than a university degree. But what about their gender?
‘Disunity is death’ – but Labor’s cowed caucus has a cost too
Caucus solidarity – the rule that once Labor’s political arm has made a decision, all caucus members are bound to it regardless of personal views – has been treated as both a threat and novelty by party outsiders. It has always been thus.
To be clear: if protests didn't work, governments wouldn't try to ban them
Today we will find out the ruling from the NSW Supreme Court on whether the planned protest in Sydney’s CBD against Israeli President Isaac Herzog can go ahead legally.
The Wrap: Australia doesn’t need 'a strong Opposition', but it does need a strong Parliament
Too often, commentators measure the strength of Parliament by the strength of the Opposition. If the Liberals and Nationals are united, numerous and a real electoral threat, then they will keep a Labor Government accountable, and vice versa when the Coalition governs. This is outdated. The Opposition is not numerous, nor does it look very electable.
Make no mistake, the Liberals are already history – and Labor should be worried
Some people just always try to focus on the bright side of life. Jane Hume must be one of them. The Victorian Liberal senator presented a cheery face on Wednesday when speaking of the Coalition’s future, arguing the reunification of the two parties was what Australia needed.
Left-right labels make political commentary easy, and democracy hard
Is protecting freedom of speech a left wing issue or a right wing issue? And if you aren’t sure, how on earth can the press gallery or anyone else talk about what a ‘centre right’ political party's stance on such a point of principle should be.
