Australian democracy needs a ‘Department of the Opposition’
A proposal to improve the idea & policy generation of Opposition parties
Can Prime Minister Khan really deliver a ‘new’ Pakistan?
As the cricket superstar-turned-philanthropist takes the top job in one of the world’s most populous countries, he faces pressing issues both at home and overseas.
Economic inequality, not age, is the real driver behind Hong Kong’s independence movement
Hong Kong will soon mark 21 years since the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China.
Mexicans voted overwhelmingly for change. Will they get it?
Sunday’s Mexican general election was not only the biggest in Mexico’s history, with over 3,400 positions at stake, but it may be the greatest
2 August 2018 - Politics, Election
This election has seen the most significant subversion of Cambodian democracy since the 1993 UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) launched the country’s electoral system.
2 August 2018 - Politics, Election
As the cricket superstar-turned-philanthropist takes the top job in one of the world’s most populous countries, he faces pressing issues both at home and overseas.
25 July 2018 - Politics, Policy
One of the criticisms that is often made about opposition parties is that they don’t represent an alternative government. Rather, they just criticise whatever it is that the government is trying to do, without actually providing a better alternative. This state-of-affairs has been expressed by the former Labor Government led by Julia Gillard, when it referred to the (then) Opposition as the ‘No-alition’.
16 July 2018 - Politics, Election
On 28 July, five Federal by-elections will be held. We take a quick look at the electorates, the major candidates, and the likely outcomes. Hover or click over an electorate name (in orange) for more information.
6 July 2018 - Politics, Election
Sunday’s Mexican general election was not only the biggest in Mexico’s history, with over 3,400 positions at stake, but it may be the greatest shock to the political status quo since the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920.
26 June 2018 - Politics, Election
On 1 July, voters in Mexico head to the polls for what might be the most significant general election in the last century.
25 June 2018 - Politics, Election
Hong Kong will soon mark 21 years since the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China.
27 May 2018 - Social Policy, Policy
Malaysia’s recent historic election has propelled Anwar Ibrahim – the long-standing political leader who has twice been jailed on sodomy charges – into the political limelight.
21 May 2018 - Politics, Election
The Timorese people and their leaders should feel confident in the professionalism and transparency of their election processes.
18 May 2018 - Election, Policy
On 7 May, 2018 the Melbourne School of Government and The Age co-hosted a Melbourne Lord Mayoral By-Election Youth Forum to discuss issues affecting young people studying, living and working in the City of Melbourne.
17 May 2018 - Politics, Election
Against all but the most optimistic expectations, on May 9 voters in Malaysia’s 14th General Election voters emphatically rejected the long-serving Barisan Nasional (BN - National Front) government of Prime Minister Najib Razak in favour of the Opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH - Alliance of Hope) coalition, led by former PM Mahathir Mohamad.
9 May 2018 - Foreign Policy, Election
The people of Timor-Leste are heading to the polls this week for the second time in ten months.
15 March 2018 - Politics, Election
South Australians go to the polls this Saturday and the Liberal and Labor parties may struggle to collectively win 60% of the primary vote.
1 March 2018 - Politics, Election
1 March 2018 - Politics, Election
It’s anyone’s guess.
4 October 2017 - Politics, Election
In spite of multiple attempts by Spain’s Madrid-based conservative central government to block it, on October 1st Catalonia’s independence referendum went ahead.
25 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Dr Angela Merkel will lead Germany as its Chancellor for an historic fourth consecutive term.
25 September 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
As the dust settles on the German election, it seems the political instability seen throughout the West has now arrived in Germany
21 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Some have claimed that the German political scene this year is boring. But perhaps we need less excitement and greater predictability in an era of Brexit and Trump.
19 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Germany’s newly-elected Chancellor will face significant challenges that will require difficult and divisive choices after the election this Sunday.
15 September 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche
The National Front's Marine Le Pen has been one of the front-runners in opinion polls throughout the French presidential election campaign and her anti-EU anti-Islam platform has grabbed attention around the world.
14 September 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany
The most likely outcome of the German federal election on September 24 is that Angela Merkel – the longest serving leader in the Western world – will win an historic fourth consecutive term as Chancellor.
5 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Environment, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany
All major parties in Germany – except the Euroskeptic, anti-refugee Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) – accept the reality of human-induced climate change.
3 September 2017 - Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens
Germany’s special relationship with Turkey - NATO allies, partners in a key refugee deal and major trade partners - is routinely referred to as being in crisis.
26 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
The overwhelming win by the party of Emmanuel Macron in the French legislative elections has put a definite halt to the wave of populism in Europe and reinforced French commitment to the European Union.
19 June 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
In the space of a few short weeks of a General Election campaign, the British Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Theresa May went from a 17 seat majority and a 21 point lead over Labour in opinion polls; to just scraping over the line to form a minority government.
19 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
Emmanuel Macron launched his political party En Marche! – now La République en Marche! (The Republic on the Move!) – less than 18 months ago.
9 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)
No matter how Tory partisans try to spin it, the UK election results are a disaster for Prime Minister Theresa May and the incumbent Conservative government.
9 June 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
A month after a truly extraordinary battle for the French presidency between centrist Emmanuel Macron and far right Marine Le Pen, the French people are going to the polls again for two rounds of voting in legislative elections.
6 June 2017 - Politics, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)
The British Prime Minister has confirmed the UK’s General Election will go ahead following Saturday night's terror attack in London that saw three attackers kill seven people and injure 48 others. Speaking outside Downing Street following the attacks, Theresa May said that “violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.”
1 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Britain’s next leader will have the difficult task of deciding on concrete outcomes for populist platitudes in relation to ‘Brexit’.
18 May 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy
The international political landscape in 2017 is coloured by Brexit, the advent of the Trump administration in the United States, and several elections in Europe.
8 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche
Democracy has won.
5 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
It’s just days before the final vote to decide who becomes the next French President. The result could radically alter the future of the European Union.
5 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche
If Emmanuel Macron becomes France’s new President on Sunday, his victory will give the European Union a reprieve, a chance to reset its priorities after the battering from Brexit and the apparently inexorable surge of xenophobia and economic nationalism.
4 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, En Marche
The two remaining candidates in the French presidential election Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have gone head-to-head in the final televised presidential debate, with just days until the final vote.
4 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front
French voters face a stark choice for president on May 7: Do they elect pro-globalist, pro-immigration centrist Emmanuel Macron, or do they elect nationalist authoritarian Marine Le Pen?
3 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, En Marche
Political newcomer Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen will go head-to-head in the final vote of the presidential election on Sunday 7 May.
27 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP), UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that voters in the UK would be going to the polls again for the third time in three years.
24 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
It was a divisive and unpredictable campaign, but the first round results are now clear.
21 April 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
The French Presidential election will be held in two rounds.
20 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
After the shock Brexit result in Britain in June 2016 and Donald Trump’s unexpected triumph a few months later, in November, what are the chances of the right-wing Front National’s Marine Le Pen completing a populist trifecta in the French presidential elections?
20 April 2017 - Economy, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy
The Brexit process ending the UK’s membership in the European Union has officially started.
19 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
With the recent terrorist attacks in Stockholm and London, and with Syria and North Korea dominating national and international news in France, the forthcoming French elections are bound to take place in a very particular context.
7 April 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
What a strange election campaign it has been so far.
30 March 2017 - Politics, Election
As right-wing populism continues to rise in some European countries, support for social democratic parties in many European countries has been in retreat in recent years.
24 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
The French people will soon elect their next president. It could be the National Front’s Marine Le Pen, the candidate Russia may actively be trying to get elected.
16 March 2017 - Politics, Election, Party for Freedom, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Minor Parties
The Dutch elections have produced a bittersweet victory for center-right incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his VVD Party.
14 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, National Front, En Marche, Party for Freedom
The European Union stands on the threshold.
13 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Election, Policy, Race, Party for Freedom, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
This week, on March 15, Dutch voters will be the first in Europe to go to the polls this year.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Social Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
The future of democracy in Western Europe is rapidly approaching a crossroads.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
In the aftermath of the election of US President Donald Trump and the UK’s Brexit referendum, many observers are keeping a watchful eye on how presidential elections play out in France in late April and early May.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy
When Germany goes to the polls in the second half of 2017, there is a chance that the status quo will prevail.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy
Is the election of Donald Trump simply the way democracy works, or is the whole liberal democratic system under threat from a wave of citizen disenchantment?
10 March 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Policy
In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, now the European Union.
25 July 2018 - Politics, Policy
One of the criticisms that is often made about opposition parties is that they don’t represent an alternative government. Rather, they just criticise whatever it is that the government is trying to do, without actually providing a better alternative. This state-of-affairs has been expressed by the former Labor Government led by Julia Gillard, when it referred to the (then) Opposition as the ‘No-alition’.
27 May 2018 - Social Policy, Policy
Malaysia’s recent historic election has propelled Anwar Ibrahim – the long-standing political leader who has twice been jailed on sodomy charges – into the political limelight.
18 May 2018 - Election, Policy
On 7 May, 2018 the Melbourne School of Government and The Age co-hosted a Melbourne Lord Mayoral By-Election Youth Forum to discuss issues affecting young people studying, living and working in the City of Melbourne.
9 May 2018 - Foreign Policy, Election
The people of Timor-Leste are heading to the polls this week for the second time in ten months.
25 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Dr Angela Merkel will lead Germany as its Chancellor for an historic fourth consecutive term.
25 September 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
As the dust settles on the German election, it seems the political instability seen throughout the West has now arrived in Germany
21 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Some have claimed that the German political scene this year is boring. But perhaps we need less excitement and greater predictability in an era of Brexit and Trump.
19 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party
Germany’s newly-elected Chancellor will face significant challenges that will require difficult and divisive choices after the election this Sunday.
5 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Environment, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany
All major parties in Germany – except the Euroskeptic, anti-refugee Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) – accept the reality of human-induced climate change.
3 September 2017 - Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens
Germany’s special relationship with Turkey - NATO allies, partners in a key refugee deal and major trade partners - is routinely referred to as being in crisis.
26 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
The overwhelming win by the party of Emmanuel Macron in the French legislative elections has put a definite halt to the wave of populism in Europe and reinforced French commitment to the European Union.
19 June 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
In the space of a few short weeks of a General Election campaign, the British Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Theresa May went from a 17 seat majority and a 21 point lead over Labour in opinion polls; to just scraping over the line to form a minority government.
19 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
Emmanuel Macron launched his political party En Marche! – now La République en Marche! (The Republic on the Move!) – less than 18 months ago.
9 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)
No matter how Tory partisans try to spin it, the UK election results are a disaster for Prime Minister Theresa May and the incumbent Conservative government.
1 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Britain’s next leader will have the difficult task of deciding on concrete outcomes for populist platitudes in relation to ‘Brexit’.
18 May 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy
The international political landscape in 2017 is coloured by Brexit, the advent of the Trump administration in the United States, and several elections in Europe.
8 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche
Democracy has won.
5 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche
If Emmanuel Macron becomes France’s new President on Sunday, his victory will give the European Union a reprieve, a chance to reset its priorities after the battering from Brexit and the apparently inexorable surge of xenophobia and economic nationalism.
3 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, En Marche
Political newcomer Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen will go head-to-head in the final vote of the presidential election on Sunday 7 May.
27 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP), UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that voters in the UK would be going to the polls again for the third time in three years.
24 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
It was a divisive and unpredictable campaign, but the first round results are now clear.
20 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
After the shock Brexit result in Britain in June 2016 and Donald Trump’s unexpected triumph a few months later, in November, what are the chances of the right-wing Front National’s Marine Le Pen completing a populist trifecta in the French presidential elections?
20 April 2017 - Economy, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy
The Brexit process ending the UK’s membership in the European Union has officially started.
19 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France
With the recent terrorist attacks in Stockholm and London, and with Syria and North Korea dominating national and international news in France, the forthcoming French elections are bound to take place in a very particular context.
7 April 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
What a strange election campaign it has been so far.
24 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
The French people will soon elect their next president. It could be the National Front’s Marine Le Pen, the candidate Russia may actively be trying to get elected.
13 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Election, Policy, Race, Party for Freedom, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
This week, on March 15, Dutch voters will be the first in Europe to go to the polls this year.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Social Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
The future of democracy in Western Europe is rapidly approaching a crossroads.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party
In the aftermath of the election of US President Donald Trump and the UK’s Brexit referendum, many observers are keeping a watchful eye on how presidential elections play out in France in late April and early May.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy
When Germany goes to the polls in the second half of 2017, there is a chance that the status quo will prevail.
10 March 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy
Is the election of Donald Trump simply the way democracy works, or is the whole liberal democratic system under threat from a wave of citizen disenchantment?
10 March 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Policy
In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, now the European Union.
Website image credit: Yanni Koutsomitis/Flickr