There are few progressives who don't hope for a republic, so why is it no longer even discussed, let alone prioritised? Do we really think the republic is politically impossible, asks David Morris
This week an indefinitely detained refugee tried to hang himself at Victoria's Broadmeadows detention centre. Trevor Grant spoke with him only hours after he was cut down
Barry O'Farrell has backed down on same-sex marriage in NSW, citing a need for 'national consistency'. It's a weak excuse that ignores the history of legislative change, writes Rodney Croome
An Israeli legal centre has made good on threats to take Sydney University Professor Jake Lynch and the BDS movement to court - and seeks to have BDS declared unlawful, reports Max Chalmers
The rest of the world agrees that Tony Abbott's climate policy is crap. Standing firm on the carbon tax is Bill Shorten's chance to prove he's PM material, writes Ben Eltham
Russell Brand's call to revolution has been as popular as it is ignorant. Australians shouldn't bother with Brand - radical change is possible from within our political system, argues James Mangisi
The Coalition is revoking a superannuation concession introduced last year to help low income earners. Would you believe it, most of the recipients are mums working part time, writes Eva Cox
Efforts to eliminate violence against women have long been in need of bipartisan support and more resources. Perhaps that time has finally arrived, writes former senator Natasha Stott-Despoja
From the perspective of a Coalition Government, exploiting public irrationality over house prices is a great idea. We're returning to bone-headed Howard-Costello economics, writes Ian McAuley
In the corporate world, the more ruthless you are the higher you go. Fairfax chairman Roger Corbett - ex-Woolies CEO and erstwhile political pundit - is a good example, writes Evan Jones
If Public Private Partnerships are meant to take risk off the government's hands, then why does the public end up paying for them? Economists Jim Crosthwaite and Sarah Lumley on the patchy history of joint projects
Partisan hacks who blame Kevin Rudd for the pink batts deaths have got it wrong. The deregulators who eroded the insulation industry's safeguards deserve scrutiny, writes Ian McAuley
Burma's reputation is on the up and the country is keen to do business. There are profits to be made by the elites – but for ordinary Burmese people, little has changed, writes Stuart Rees
Bill Shorten's new payday lending laws came into force this week. They set some limits on predatory lending practices but consumer advocates say poverty is the real problem, writes Amy Ripley
After one too many high-profile bungles, the Senate has launched an inquiry into the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Ben Eltham on the regulator's dismal record
On current figures, moving to a sustainable economy will be even harder than reducing carbon emissions. A first step would be to kick the economists out of the halls of power, writes economist Warwick Smith
The return of the draconian Australian Building and Construction Commission shows what Abbott learned after WorkChoices failed - go after the unions first, writes ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver
The YMCA has complained of a lack of media balance at the Royal Commision into child abuse. The focus on their own reputation undermines the commission's goals, reports Adam Brereton
Around one in 20 Australians over 15 experiences deep social exclusion. Their children are more likely to live in poverty too. Alex Greenwich explains why he supports calls for a national child poverty plan
When people use painkillers just to get through the day, it's unsurprising that prescription drug abuse claims lives. What's alarming is how little we know about patterns of use, writes George Dertadian
If families can afford to have one parent stay at home, why don't they? Tim Napper put his career on hold to raise his son, and it was an eye opener about relationships and gendered labour
A new study finds that many women in positions of power have a background of childhood trauma or abuse. Zoe Krupka on what this says about the state of our workplaces
Sydney University's student union will likely vote this week to expel a director who leaked a report on police violence at recent strikes. Max Chalmers explains why this is bigger than student politics
A decision in the High Court yesterday means that while social disadvantage can be taken into account in sentencing, Aboriginality can't. It's a disappointing result, writes Sarah Krasnostein
The Press Gallery got what it wanted last night - a spill. Kevin Rudd is back in charge. It's time for the media to ease up on the gossip and start paying attention to the way the country is being governed
Notice anything different? We've upgraded the site. Read on to find out about our exciting new features - and please be patient as we iron out the bugs!
It's been a grim year for many in the media, but at NM we're going gangbusters! It's been our most successful year yet. As we pack up for a summer break, we have you - our supporters and readers - to thank
It's nearly Christmas and New Matilda has a bumper crop of festive giveaways for our loyal paid-up supporters. If you haven't funded NM yet, it's not too late to sign up now and go into the draw
Rising electricity prices, climate change and the renewables boom - energy is changing, but how does it work? Our series, Future Shock, has all you need to know about what will be powering your home in 10 years
A hefty majority of MPs today voted against marriage equality. They're out of step with community sentiment - and they're fighting a battle they can't hope to win
Today we launch Future Shock, an investigative series devoted to the rapidly changing nature of energy in Australia. Ben Eltham on what you can expect from a month of data-driven journalism
Wind farms are usually accused of making people sick. Now critics claim they also threaten endangered birds. Bill King, Emma Bennett and Lynn Trakell debunk another wind farm myth
Renewable energy in Australia is booming, thanks to some key policy incentives. Uncertainty surrounding the Coalition's climate policy could seriously damage the sector, writes Jamie Hanson
The Victorian government won't keep to its own legal guidelines for the protection of endangered species, so an environmental group took them to court - with good results, writes Felicity Millner
Few believe Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's assurances that all is well at Fukushima. Meanwhile, the plant continues to leak contaminated water, and those speaking out are ignored, writes Jim Green
The gas industry says greenies and farmers are to blame for price rises. Exports driven by coal seam gas expansion are the real cause, writes Justin Field
The crew of a Greenpeace ship detained in Russian waters is in custody. There's yet more dire news about global warming but Big Oil is fighting with all its might, writes Julie Macken
Amid the wreckage of Australia's climate change infrastructure, one piece of environmental policy has survived. Could the Coalition's wind farm review have unintended benefits, asks Ketan Joshi
The gap between scientific and public opinion on climate change is becoming a gulf. The Climate Institute filmed scientists explaining how to fix that. Corey Watts explains
Is a 'best practice' approach to international aid getting in the way of solutions that might be 'best fit'? Tim McMinn reviews Ben Ramalingam's new book, Aid On The Edge Of Chaos
The Montara oil spill was one of Australia's worst oil disasters - and the villagers of West Timor are still living with illness and poverty from the pollution. Local activist Ferdi Tanoni is demanding justice
In the wake of the Angela Merkel surveillance scandal, European governments are standing against the US in a way not seen since the Iraq war. Charles McPhedran reports on the growing outrage
Jake Lynch and Stuart Rees were threatened earlier this year by an Israeli law centre for their support of an Israeli boycott. The support they got shows many will defend the right to dissent
Tony Abbott has never experienced the brutal oppression that West Papuans are forced to live under - and his misguided comments will endanger lives, writes imprisoned Papuan leader Selpius Bobii
Europe has never been so sensitive to immigration, and a second boat sinking off the coast of the Italy has sparked calls for a more humane approach, writes Charles McPhedran
The Canadian PM has refused to attend a Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka in protest against human rights abuses. Tony Abbott should follow his lead, writes Trevor Grant
Young Indian woman Reingamphi Awungshi was brutally killed in May. Her story is sadly typical for many female victims of violence, write Sharna de Lacy and Fiona McAlpine from Delhi
Did Aussie comedy 100 Bloody Acres deserve to pull only $10K at the box office? Audiences have changed their viewing habits, and it's about time the industry caught up, writes Lauren Caroll Harris
Men still outnumber women in the most powerful positions in TV news and current affairs, write Wendy Bacon, Elise Dalley and Alex Holder as they continue our Women in the Media series
For the third phase of its worldwide program of human rights education, the UN has its eye on the media. You don't have to look far to understand why, writes Paula Gerber
Most law students don't become lawyers. Many journalism students work outside the industry. Let's give students some credit and stop trashing journalism degrees, writes Johann Lidberg
Privacy and security are becoming paramount online in an age of universal surveillance. David Ingram on a new book that aims to help journos evade surveillance and protect their sources
From Roger Corbett's appearance on Lateline to News Ltd's bias, a politicised media has been a prominent feature of this election - but media policy has barely rated a mention, writes Wendy Bacon
Reporting foreign conflicts is a dangerous pastime for freelance journalists. When someone goes missing, competitors for column inches come together, writes Rachel Williamson from Cairo
Whistleblowers like Bradley Manning show us the true face of global power. The guilty verdict against him should stir journalists to challenge authoritarianism, writes Antony Loewenstein
Worried about asylum seekers being officially rebranded as 'illegals'? Wait until you hear about 'capitalism-enriched oxygen' and 'climate same-staying', writes Ben Pobjie
After saying sorry to Asia, will Tony Abbott crawl home on hands and knees to beg forgiveness from his own people? He should - governing by apology definitely has its advantages, writes Ben Pobjie
In taking a stand against boycotts, the Coalition is taking the power back from the green terrorists who want to destroy our way of life. Let the good times roll, writes Ben Pobjie
These are exciting times for the ALP. What with picking a leader, dealing with the Rudd factor, dancing with the unions, it's lucky they don't have to run the country, writes Ben Pobjie
Are you ready for a little bit of Michael Kroger by the barbie? What's Election Day going to be like this year? Read Ben Pobjie's Utterly Infallible 2013 Election Predictions to find out
It's at election time that Ben Pobjie feels proudest to be a media man. If only he could get Rupert Murdoch to pay attention to some of his proposals for more cracking campaign coverage
Who are the big winners in the howling match between Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott over asylum seekers? The Army, tent companies - and ultimately, the Australian public, explains Ben Pobjie
What people desire more than anything else is to not be bored. So why are we hearing so much about climate change? Real talk from Ben Pobjie on Australia's biggest policy snore
There are few progressives who don't hope for a republic, so why is it no longer even discussed, let alone prioritised? Do we really think the republic is politically impossible, asks David Morris
Is a 'best practice' approach to international aid getting in the way of solutions that might be 'best fit'? Tim McMinn reviews Ben Ramalingam's new book, Aid On The Edge Of Chaos
The rest of the world agrees that Tony Abbott's climate policy is crap. Standing firm on the carbon tax is Bill Shorten's chance to prove he's PM material, writes Ben Eltham
This week an indefinitely detained refugee tried to hang himself at Victoria's Broadmeadows detention centre. Trevor Grant spoke with him only hours after he was cut down
Barry O'Farrell has backed down on same-sex marriage in NSW, citing a need for 'national consistency'. It's a weak excuse that ignores the history of legislative change, writes Rodney Croome
The return of the draconian Australian Building and Construction Commission shows what Abbott learned after WorkChoices failed - go after the unions first, writes ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver
An Israeli legal centre has made good on threats to take Sydney University Professor Jake Lynch and the BDS movement to court - and seeks to have BDS declared unlawful, reports Max Chalmers
Did Aussie comedy 100 Bloody Acres deserve to pull only $10K at the box office? Audiences have changed their viewing habits, and it's about time the industry caught up, writes Lauren Caroll Harris
The Montara oil spill was one of Australia's worst oil disasters - and the villagers of West Timor are still living with illness and poverty from the pollution. Local activist Ferdi Tanoni is demanding justice
Donning a Rural Fire Service uniform doesn't give Tony Abbott licence to ignore the facts on carbon pricing, climate change and extreme weather, writes Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt
Tony Abbott sends a strong message when he volunteers to fight fires. Australia would do the same if we stuck to our guns on climate. It's time to axe the carbon tax rhetoric, writes Ian McAuley
The rest of the world agrees that Tony Abbott's climate policy is crap. Standing firm on the carbon tax is Bill Shorten's chance to prove he's PM material, writes Ben Eltham
The Abbott government's Operation Sovereign Borders is unduly provocative, writes former Liberal MP Judi Moylan, as she concludes her series on the history of Australian border policy
An Israeli legal centre has made good on threats to take Sydney University Professor Jake Lynch and the BDS movement to court - and seeks to have BDS declared unlawful, reports Max Chalmers
Tony Abbott has called the carbon tax 'socialism masquerading as environmentalism'. If that's the case, many of the world's conservative leaders are actually raging pinkos, writes Jamie Hanson