News: policy matters
With democracy under threat in Narendra Modi’s India, how free and fair will this year’s election be?
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is favoured to win reelection when India’s 970 million voters start heading to the polls on April 19 in the country’s massive, six-week general election.
Australia’s ranking in global anti-corruption index remains steady – but shows we cannot be complacent
Successfully tackling corruption is more than catching greedy public servants and politicians, miscreants and manipulators. It involves government at the highest level advancing a culture of integrity and setting up institutions that celebrate and facilitate good governance – in addition to catching the bad guys.
A global battle for low-skilled workers looms after COVID. Australia needs to be part of it
Australia has been built on immigration. In recent years it has been skilled migration, and that will continue to be important to us, especially as we recover from the COVID economic malaise.
‘Grave misconduct’: Gladys Berejiklian corruption report should put all public officials on notice
When an anti-corruption agency issues a 688-page report with findings a former premier engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” and breached the public’s trust, it puts all public officials on notice.
After a decade of decline, Australia is back on the rise in a global anti-corruption ranking
Just months after Australia legislated to establish the long-anticipated National Anti-Corruption Agency, our standing is back on the rise in Transparency International’s annual Global Corruption Perceptions Index . This is a small but important turn-around following a decade of steady decline.
The Robodebt scheme failed tests of lawfulness, impartiality, integrity and trust
The Robodebt royal commission is currently hearing evidence of tremendous hardship inflicted on people by a government that appeared to have little concern for the people its actions affected.
[Read more about The Robodebt scheme failed tests of lawfulness, impartiality, integrity and trust]
‘We felt like we’re nothing’: increasing voting among Australians experiencing homelessness
At every federal election, there is a moment when election-watchers turn their attention to the seat of Eden-Monaro in New South Wales. Between 1972 and 2013, the party that formed government won Eden-Monaro.
Australians are tired of lies in political advertising. Here’s how it can be fixed
Our voting choices are only authentic if our decisions are informed by truthful information. That condition is now increasingly elusive.
[Read more about Australians are tired of lies in political advertising. Here’s how it can be fixed]
Australia and New Zealand have a golden opportunity to build stronger ties in the Pacific – but will they take it?
The Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting hosted by Fiji last week was the first to be held in person since 2019. Following a particularly challenging period, it was an opportunity for leaders to reconnect and agree to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Grape growers are adapting to climate shifts early - and their knowledge can help other farmers
It’s commonly assumed Australia’s farmers and cities are divided over climate issues. This is not true. After all, farmers are on the front line and face the realities of our shifting climate on a daily basis.
