If you're writing a front page story based on a single opinion poll, you're doing it wrong.
Category: Australia
To catch a senator
Nick Xenophon is being deported from Malaysia – an occupational hazard for critics of foreign governments. Australia's response so far has been tepid.
A step sideways for Aboriginal recognition
There'll be feel-good images out of Canberra today as parliament votes on recognition of indigenous people. But the idea that the bill represents a step forward on a constitutional referendum is simply not true.
Australia falls further behind on same-sex marriage
Australia was well behind Britain on recognition of same-sex couples even before Tuesday's vote. Now the contrast is more embarrassing still.
Australia gets used to fixed terms
The prime minister's election announcement shows up just how little flexibility she really had about the timing anyway. Australia has moved close to a fixed-term model without even trying.
One person’s discrimination, another person’s freedom
Christians claiming relief from discrimination won one case out of four at the European Court of Human Rights. But in Australia, the issue is their right to discriminate against others.
Queensland comes in first for electoral imbalance
A study by the Queensland Greens throws an interesting light on last year's state election by comparing it with the proportionality of other state and provincial elections around the world.
Could the Coalition steal Labor’s clothes on optional preferences?
Change in electoral law is generally driven by perceived political interest, not by principle. Shifts to more democratic outcomes happen when a major party thinks that they will work to its advantage.
Another view on compulsory voting
There was a bit of discussion in a post on Monday about the merits of compulsory voting. Those who are interested in the topic shouldn't miss Peter Brent's post from yesterday at Mumble. As you'd expect from Brent, it's very thorough and very thoughtful. It's one of those debates that a lot of people form … Continue reading Another view on compulsory voting
Courts, cattle and constitutions – Australia’s ailing federalism
Mountain cattle grazing in Victoria becomes a constitutional issue. The Federal Court upheld the ban, but indicated that there were still limits to Canberra's power on environmental issues.
The World is Not Enough 