Australian Politics

Australia aims to shift the overall character of its migration system away from temporary migration and toward permanent residence and citizenship.

In less than two years, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has gone from clear choice to fighting for majority support in the polls. What happened?

“So, there's the pain of the suffering in Palestine – our homeland – but then there's the feeling of abandonment. It’s an otherness. It’s like we don’t belong in Australia, we don't belong on Earth almost.”

No date has been announced for the referendum yet, but the decision has critical ramifications not just for First Nations people in Australia but Canberra’s international reputation.

The scheme, engineered to claw back funds supposedly overpaid to welfare recipients, was broken and cruel from the start. Despite a royal commission’s findings, its political backers are unlikely to face punishment.

The country’s unique resource curse and self-image as a "lifestyle superpower” make it difficult for Canberra to change trajectories, to embrace new ideas. 

Australia cannot be complacent about the votes that both One Nation and the UAP attracted in the last election.

If the Liberal Party wants to find its way back to government it needs to abandon the attempt to define an “authentic” class of Australians, and instead simply see people as people. 

Politicians will no doubt continue to wrap themselves in high-vis vests, but come election day it is women who will make themselves seen.

The prime minister was called a “complete psycho” and other unflattering things by allies and adversaries alike as intra-party divisions continue to roil Australian politics. 

Australia may find itself sleep walking into an international environment that it doesn't have the disposition to effectively negotiate.