Our system of government operates under a set of largely unwritten conventions. But they're well established and they work surprisingly well, which is why the governor-general has not tried to second-guess the ALP caucus.
Category: Australia
Rudd, reaction and refugees
The reborn Kevin Rudd turns out, unsurprisingly, to be a "conservative" on refugees as well. But leaving aside the morality of his promised toughness, why does anyone think it makes political sense for Labor?
Incentive effects
If you increase the demand for political bastardry, you'll get more of it in the future. It's not entirely clear that the federal Labor Party realises this.
Populist insurgency not working well in Italy
Italy's centre-left finally gets some good news, but its populist movement is facing the sort of problems that typically plague amateurs in politics.
Two concepts of surveillance
The US government goes much further in data collection than we should be comfortable with, but the latest revelations are not as devastating as some people think.
Do teenagers count as people?
The New South Wales government plans to (yet again) treat young people as second-class citizens, this time with high-frequency sound that the rest of us are too old to notice.
Another Tiananmen anniversary
Twenty-four years on and the Chinese government still resists any reckoning with the events in Tiananmen Square. Julie Bishop looks like continuing the tradition of Australian appeasement.
Let’s talk about party funding
Politicians across the world are sincerely convinced that they are worthy recipients of public money. The public disagrees, but only rarely – as this week in Australia – is it able to get its voice heard.
Taxis, government and the media
The Victorian government promises taxi industry reform but seems a bit reluctant to highlight its importance.
Media criticism made easy
The media show no interest in explaining what the holdup is with constitutional recognition of Australia's indigenous people.
The World is Not Enough 