Premium Interviews ‘All progress is an illusion’. Cheryl Kernot’s unique perspective on bipartisanship in Australia Thursday September 10, 2020 By Scott Hamilton and Stuart Kells Editors' Picks Having led the Australian Democrats, before turning to Labor and then standing as an Independent, Cheryl Kernot has great stories to tell and great insights…
Premium Columnists What to wear to the theatre of the absurd Friday September 4, 2020 By Verona Burgess Career Advice Life under COVID-19 is becoming like one of those top-and-tail books for toddlers, where each page is cut in half and you flip them back…
Tony Abbott rumoured to be UK’s new trade envoy Wednesday August 26, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Former prime minister Tony Abbott has reportedly been appointed joint president of the United Kingdom government’s Board of Trade.
More than 40% of ex-Abbott government MPs have moved into public sector roles, analysis finds Tuesday July 21, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Twenty-six out of 57 Abbott-era MPs and senators who have lost their seat, retired, or lost preselection have since taken on positions in the public…
Premium The Select Committee Reshaping the nature of federation – The Select Committee Tuesday July 7, 2020 By Chris Johnson Editors' Picks Has the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic shown that the time has come to reshape the nature of federation and manage bigger national issues in…
Australian bipartisanship on climate change: the long haul Monday November 25, 2019 By Scott Hamilton & Stuart Kells Energy & Environment In Australia's history of climate change policy, there's been a few well-placed spoilers, backed by vested interests, who have thrown stones and kept good policy…
The Coalition’s favourite think tank wants AGD secretary Chris Moraitis stood down Tuesday November 5, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Right-wing activists from the Institute of Public Affairs claim Attorney-General’s Department staff are running a “covert political operation” against conservatives and demand secretary Chris Moraitis…
Intelligence expert to take cabinet secretary position Thursday August 8, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Federal A top national security and foreign affairs adviser has been named the next cabinet secretary, bumping up the number of vacancies in Australian…
Public servants hastily polish up the blue books as new Morrison ministry takes shape Wednesday May 22, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal A who's-who of the members in contention for Coalition ministerial positions in the days after the 2019 federal election.
Scientists want to build trust in science and technology. The alternative is too risky to contemplate Tuesday May 14, 2019 By The Conversation Energy & Environment The next government must meet the challenge of refreshing the social licence between science, government and the many and diverse communities that make up our…
So long and thanks for all the fish: the oddly polite history of political farewells Monday May 13, 2019 By Scott Hamilton & Stuart Kells Career Advice Something strange happens when politicians leave the political stage. The other side suddenly becomes much more civil – even affectionate. There is an outbreak of…
The federal election campaign through the 'distorted prism' of social media Tuesday April 30, 2019 By The Mandarin Communications & Technology Home Affairs head Michael Pezzullo has described social media as a “cesspit” while former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese warned it…
Cracks form in the convention of cabinet confidentiality, PM&C gets the glue Thursday February 1, 2018 By Stephen Easton News “Apart from anything else, you ought to be found and sacked," says former head of the Australian Public Service Terry Moran, to whoever is responsible…
Michael Dillon: what next for Indigenous Affairs? Friday January 22, 2016 By The Mandarin Career Advice OPINION: Indigenous Affairs was never a good fit in the PM's department, according to a veteran of the portfolio. Michael Dillon looks ahead to…
Meals revealed for Abbott and Rudd, but Turnbull tray-table censored Monday January 18, 2016 By Stephen Easton News We know what Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd ate on the government jet, but Malcolm Turnbull's preferences have been censored. It's a strange FOI ruling.