Old Parliament House's democracy museum celebrates three million visitors Australian Capital Territory The Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) celebrated its three millionth visitor on Thursday, two months after it turned 10. Read more
The last election where anyone cares? Sunday May 19, 2019 By Mark Triffitt Culture Faith in democracy is plummeting among Australians, and the connection voters had with a leader like Bob Hawke now seems out of reach. Is this… Read more
Mike Mrdak: public servants must ditch the business jargon, stop being scared of citizens Wednesday May 8, 2019 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Government agencies need to be more open, honest and direct with the public, come to terms with social media and realise that working with people… Read more
Here’s how to renew Australia’s Democracy Wednesday May 1, 2019 By Iain Walker and Nicholas Reece Culture Longer parliamentary terms? More free votes by MPs? Party publication of membership numbers and financial details each year? All proposals for consideration in a new… Read more
An innovative step toward truly empowered citizen governance Wednesday March 6, 2019 By Luca Belgiorno-Nettis Editors' Picks A small Belgian city tries out a new governance system that gives 25 Average Joes and Josephines decision-making influence on the management of important social… Read more
When a conversation is not a conversation: party political discourse in the early 21st century Tuesday February 19, 2019 By Nicholas Gruen Editors' Picks Democracy is not a product. It is, as Aristotle reminds us, a system in which everyone takes turn in governing and being governed. Read more
Rome's Augustus and the allure of the strongman Wednesday January 23, 2019 By Frederik Vervaet Editors' Picks The Roman emperor Augustus is often held up as a model statesman, but a University of Melbourne expert warns admirers should be careful what they… Read more
Martin Parkinson: public servants should school rookie MPs and ministers Tuesday December 18, 2018 By Stephen Easton Federal The public service should provide training to new members of parliament, ministers and their staff, in the view of senior Commonwealth secretary Martin Parkinson. He… Read more
Citizens’ chambers: towards an activism of selection by lot Wednesday December 5, 2018 By Nicholas Gruen Editors' Picks Sortition would address the yawning deliberative deficit and weaken many of the pathways by which polarisation, cronyism and party influence occurs, says Nicholas Gruen. In… Read more
Is our democracy broken? Thursday October 4, 2018 By Shaun Carney Editors' Picks While many Australians are still coming to terms with having five Prime Ministers in as many years, what does the future look like for the… Read more
The West's age of retreat Thursday August 23, 2018 By Mark Triffitt Editors' Picks Liberal democracy is in an age of retreat and needs to re-engage citizens, tackle inequality and end internet monopolies, argues a University of Melbourne expert. Read more
Australian democracy needs a ‘Department of the Opposition’ Thursday July 26, 2018 By Martin Bortz Editors' Picks Democracy needs a true contest of ideas. But that's not easy when one side of politics has little support to develop alternative policies for years… Read more
The information that democracy needs Thursday June 14, 2018 By Bret Walker Editors' Picks LONG READ: Without a decent flow of information in this popular democracy, how can we have anything like our “equal share” in its power, asks Bret… Read more
What would you do if you had $2 million to invest in democracy in Australia? Wednesday May 9, 2018 By Amelia Loye Communications & Technology What would you do if you had $2 million to invest in democracy in Australia? Last year, the Australian government awarded two organisations $1 million… Read more
Australians want more democracy, research shows Tuesday December 12, 2017 By David Donaldson Features Three-quarters of Australians want a federal ICAC and a majority want a greater say in what government does. New research has been published just as… Read more
