Gough Whitlam | People | The Mandarin

So long and thanks for all the fish: the oddly polite history of political farewells

By Scott Hamilton & Stuart Kells

Features

Something strange happens when politicians leave the political stage. The other side suddenly becomes much more civil – even affectionate. There is an outbreak of…

Upmarket agitprop: Clive James on John Howard on Bob Menzies

By Nicholas Gruen

Features

Nicholas Gruen reviews a book review by Clive James and ponders the decline of serious debate. He says James joined the culture wars and attacked…

Mind the rise — and ever rise — of ministerial advisers

By Graeme Dobell

Features

Gough Whitlam created them. Malcolm Fraser cemented them. And the move to new Parliament House multiplied them — exponentially ever since. Charting the rise and…

The breaking down of Australia's borrowed political conventions

By The Mandarin

Features

Westminster may have started them, but Australia's conventions also reflect our values and expectations. Their dependency on political sanction makes transparency essential, argues Richard Mulgan.