20 May 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Environment, Policy

Voter aspiration delivers for Coalition

Labor was meant to waltz into national government, or least win a workable majority.

16 May 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Election, Policy

How are the major parties responding to misconduct in the financial services sector?

Following 68 days of public hearings, 134 witnesses and more than 10,000 public submissions, the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry in February released 76 recommendations to clean up the wide-ranging and shocking misconduct it had uncovered.

16 May 2019 - Election, Policy

When it comes to contraception and abortion access, the choice is stark

The Coalition does not see access to sexual and reproductive services as either an election issue, or a priority for their next term; while the ALP is promising to wade into this currently disjointed, uneven and inequitable space.

15 May 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Election, Policy

Slow wage growth: The deciding factor in Election 2019?

The slow rate of wage growth is one of the most widely talked-about features of the Australian economy in the lead-up to the 2019 Federal election.

13 May 2019 - Election, Policy

Major parties staying silent on social media regulation

In the lead up to the announcement of this Federal election, a white supremacist launched attacks on mosques in Christchurch, killing 51 people and injuring another 49.

13 May 2019 - Politics, Election, Environment, Policy

How do the major parties compare on climate action?

As the federal election approaches, debate over the climate policies of the major parties continues – along with a lot of misinformation over how to evaluate the relative merits and shortcomings of what each party is offering.

10 May 2019 - Election, Environment, Policy

The opportunities and risks of decarbonising our transport

With the Federal Election campaign now in full swing, the debate on the regulation of transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been light on detail and polarised.

9 May 2019 - Election, Policy

What you need to know about the major parties’ policies on personal income tax

Personal income tax, the taxes levied on individuals’ income from wages and capital, collected $206 billion in 2017-18. This represents roughly a half of total Commonwealth tax revenue, and 11% of national income.

2 May 2019 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy

Australian foreign aid is at an all-time low and should be dramatically increased

In this election campaign, there are some very distinct trajectories for foreign aid: from continuing the policy of cutting and diminishing aid, to rebuilding aid as an asset in Australian diplomacy, trade and security.

30 April 2019 - Politics, Election, Policy

Leader sloganising passed off as a debate

The first of what could be three campaign debates between the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Leader Bill Shorten last night was never going to have a big impact on the May 18 federal election.

23 April 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Social Policy

Modi’s BJP Faces an Uphill Battle in India’s Most Populous State

In an interview with India’s state-run Doordarshan television network on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I can say this publicly that the BJP will perform better than last time in Uttar Pradesh.”

12 April 2019 - Election, Policy

Vote Compass is a civic engagement application developed by a team from Vox Pop Labs, in association with the University of Melbourne and the ABC.

10 April 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Election

Indonesia-Australia trade deal could help sandbag relationship against elections, politics

Announcing the March 2016 reactivation of negotiations on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Indonesia’s then-Trade Minister Tom Lembong called for the two governments to take bold steps and “rejuvenate the animal spirits that we know drive economies”.

20 March 2019 - Foreign Policy, Election

Why Australia needs to understand the 2019 Indian election

Australia’s ability to form a new and deeper relationship with India has long been marred by limited political and cultural understanding.

12 March 2019 - Immigration, Policy

Bridging the divide on refugee policy

Australia’s refugee policies are rarely outside the political and public discourse.

11 March 2019 - Election, Policy, Infrastructure/Transport, Energy

India is now officially 99% electrified, but electricity remains high on the political agenda

For Indian politicians looking to woo voters, promises to provide ‘bijli, sarak, pani’ (power, roads, water) have long been important.

1 March 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Election, Social Policy, Policy

Can a Minimum Income Guarantee Program deliver better days for Indians?

Recently India’s Congress party, the chief rival to the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), proposed to introduce a minimum income guarantee (MIG) program should it win power in the April-May 2019 general elections.

25 February 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Social Policy, Policy

Positive discrimination in relation to caste is a big Indian election issue

It's often said that in India, you don’t cast your vote, you vote your caste.

25 February 2019 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Policy

Old habits die hard in Indonesia’s presidential clash

Indonesia’s presidential election – Joko “Jokowi” Widodo versus Prabowo Subianto II – is trundling toward its 17 April denouement, an event less exciting for its potential drama and more for its status as the end point of a long and, thus far, insipid contest.

20 February 2019 - Education, Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Policy, Population Growth

What Role Will ‘Generation Timepass’ Play in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections?

This article is part of the Indian Election Series – a partnership between the Australia India Institute and the Melbourne School of Government’s Election Watch project.

31 January 2019 - Politics, Election, Policy

Farm loan waivers: How India’s political parties are racing to the bottom

This article is part of the Indian Election Series – a partnership between the Australia India Institute and the Melbourne School of Government’s Election Watch.

20 December 2018 - Election, Social Policy, Population Growth

Who can best tackle the housing affordability problem in Victoria?

Main points

23 November 2018 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Election, Policy, Population Growth

Victoria’s growing population has economic benefits, but there are downsides

The Victorian economy is performing well, with activities and jobs buoyed by strong population growth.

23 November 2018 - Politics, Election, Policy, Infrastructure/Transport

Victorian election: What the major parties are offering on infrastructure

After decades of under investment in public transport, we welcome the attention that the major parties are giving to new rail projects.

23 November 2018 - Health, Election, Policy

Victorian election: What are the major parties offering on mental health?

Main points

22 November 2018 - Politics, Immigration, Policy, Population Growth

Melbourne's population spike

The pace of population growth in Melbourne is a significant theme in the 2018 Victorian election campaign, with the major parties promising various policies to ease pressure on services, reduce traffic congestion and radically increase public transport capacity.

22 November 2018 - Election, Policy, Law and Order

Victorian election: How are the major parties addressing the law & order paradox?

22 November 2018 - Politics, Election, Policy

We shouldn’t necessarily trust electronic voting and counting

As Victorians vote in another state election, many will again wonder why they can’t vote online. If we bank, shop, and communicate in so many ways online, why can’t we vote online?

19 November 2018 - Election, Policy, Infrastructure/Transport

Victorian election: Labor has promised to make ‘wage theft’ a crime if re-elected, but is it feasible?

The systematic and serious underpayment of wages or other statutory entitlements is currently not a criminal offence in Victoria, or anywhere else in Australia.

15 November 2018 - Politics, National Security, Election, Policy

How will social media shape India’s next election?

This article is part of the Indian Election Series – a partnership between the Australia India Institute and the Melbourne School of Government’s Election Watch project.

13 November 2018 - Education, Politics, Election, Policy

What are the main parties promising on education ahead of the Victorian election?

Main points

25 October 2018 - Gender, Politics, Election, Social Policy

October Surprises and the false hope of the Midterms

“October surprise” is a an American political term used to describe something – perhaps a natural disaster or a strategically-timed data leak - that emerges in the run up to an election. It’s something that likely impacts polls and possibly even the vote count.

13 October 2018 - Gender, Politics, Election, Social Policy

October Surprises and the false hope of the midterms

“October surprise” is a an American political term used to describe something – perhaps a natural disaster or a strategically-timed data leak - that emerges in the run up to an election. It’s something that likely impacts polls and possibly even the vote count.

25 July 2018 - Politics, Policy

Australian democracy needs a ‘Department of the Opposition’

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

Anwar Ibrahim’s political rebirth and Malaysia’s approach to LGBT+ rights

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

Video: Melbourne Lord Mayoral By-Election Youth Forum

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

Resolving Timor-Leste's political crisis

The people of Timor-Leste are heading to the polls this week for the second time in ten months.

25 September 2017 - Economy/Jobs, 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

The German election result and what it means for Australia

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

Merkel weakened, far right enters German parliament

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/Jobs, 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

Will Germany be a stabiliser in turbulent times?

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/Jobs, 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

Huge challenges face the next German Chancellor

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/Jobs, Politics, Election, Environment, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany

Merkel's strong stance on climate change is uncontroversial in 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

German-Turkish tensions high ahead of elections

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

Macron: Europe's new 'strongman'

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)

Why Labour voters didn't become Tories or 'Red-Kippers'

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/Jobs, Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

France clearly ‘On the Move’

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)

Disaster for Theresa May and the Conservatives; uncertainty for the UK

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/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)

What will the British election mean for Brexit?

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

PODCAST: Trump, Brexit and the future of democracy

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/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche

Europe has a chance to save itself and France will play a key role

Democracy has won.

5 May 2017 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche

Europe holds its breath as France chooses its President

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/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, En Marche

Explainer: Le Pen vs Macron - What do they stand for?

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)

Q&A: The UK Election and the Brexit big picture

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/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

French voters will chose between wildly different visions for France

It was a divisive and unpredictable campaign, but the first round results are now clear.

20 April 2017 - Economy/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

The French presidential elections will settle whether or not the Brexit-Trump phenomenon is contagious

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/Jobs, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy

Brexit: How Australia could benefit AND fight European populism

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

How terrorism is impacting on the French presidential elections

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

France's presidential campaign: A strategy of fear versus a strategy of opportunity

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

Russia’s meddling in the French elections: How and why?

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

Four things to watch in the Dutch election

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

Why France is taking Europe to the crossroad

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

What you need to know about France

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

What you need to know about Germany

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

Liberal democracy: Why we may be losing it

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/Jobs, Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Policy

Brexit: Over and Out

In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, now the European Union.