Stuart Kells

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

Something strange happens when politicians leave the political stage. The other side suddenly becomes much more civil – even affectionate. There is an outbreak of bipartisanship or non-partisanship. It is as though, after years of fighting across the chamber, the political opponents shove babel fish into their ears and hear each other for the first time. Read More

Lawyers, guns, money – and politics, part 3

The third article in a three-part series on the formulation of Australia’s firearms policy; the power of pro-gun interests has the potential to pervert our political conversation the way it has done in the US. In Australia, cool heads must prevail. Read More

Lawyers, guns, money – and politics, part 1

The first article in a three-part series on the formulation of Australia’s firearms policy; Australia finds itself at a gun-law crossroads after the Port Arthur mass murder. Read More