Where Hanson's concerned, look at what's not said
Language and communication are the key tools of politics. Yet a clear message can sometimes be discerned from what is not said rather than what is.
A federal MP for Belconnen and Gungahlin?
Tasmania, similar in size to Canberra, does not need more than four times as many politicians.
Government finds a way on Gonski schools funding
In the end, the admirably calm Education Minister cleverly used the Greens' package as the road map to an acceptable deal with a far less progressive cross-bench.
The texts that could cost three ministers their jobs
The Victorian Supreme Court holds the future of Greg Hunt, Michael Sukkar and Alan Tudge in hands.
Privatisation: has it really been that brilliant? Just look at electricity
Privatisation. Back in the day, opposing it was the province of self-interested public sector unions and sentimentalists.
Why women can't go with the flow on the tampon tax
The GST on tampons isn't much. But it's about a lot more than the small amount of revenue it raises.
Gonski upheaval tests loyalties
Whatever Parliament decides this week, the education debate will grind on until the next election.
Voters switched off a desperate Coalition
For fractious Coalition MPs amassed under Malcolm Turnbull, Monday's depressing 47-53 Newspoll was old news. Fourteen surveys old.
Qatar crisis reveals Trump's incompetence
It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that the current hostilities are simply about Saudi arrogance.
Not giving a Gonski: how teacher unions are halting progress on school funding
On Friday, a group of activists from the Australian Education Union staged a protest outside Derryn Hinch's Melbourne office.
Making a meal out of energy policy
We must act urgently to reduce carbon emissions. But what if we rush to implement the wrong policy?
On minimum wage? You're now in a high tax bracket
Governments only worry about 'fixing' tax brackets when the rich and middle classes complain.
Leaders who see beyond the caucus wall
Jeremy Corbyn's great strength is he not beholden to his parliamentary colleagues.
Off the record, this is a confected nonsense
A prime minister delivers a light-hearted - even hilarious - speech to more than 600 frocked-up and tuxedoed guests in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
Far from protecting his reputation, Tony Abbott is trashing it
Is Tony Abbott's post-leadership decompensation entering its final stage where the real harm is to his own legacy?
Failure dressed up as success
The left has a bad habit of celebrating glorious losses. I prefer victories.
Remember the ozone hole? Today's coal apologists don't
Think of the ozone hole and you might get a preview of the humiliation awaiting the current champions of coal-fired energy.
Despite what Dutton says, the Manus Island payout is momentous
You don't agree to a payout of more than $90 million if you are confident you can defend your position in open court.
The endangered elephant in the energy room
Where is the environment in debates about climate change and energy?
The creeping sickness taking over our politics
The Coalition and Labor will ban foreign political donations. That's nowhere near enough.
Finkel question hangs over PM's leadership
Tony Abbott has already come from nowhere to replace Malcolm Turnbull as leader once as the Liberal Party convulsed over Labor's progressive climate policy in 2009.
Changing nature of war may undo us
We've already made the critical purchases that will shape the forces for the next half-century.
Terrorists are using encryption. Our laws need to keep up with the technology
As we learn details from investigations into recent terrorist attacks in Tehran, London, Jakarta and Manchester, a common theme is emerging of terrorists using commercial encrypted communications services to plan, support and commit terrorist attacks.
Labor's professed preference for policy purity is phoney
For the growing number of us who care more about good policy and effective governance than party loyalties, the news isn't good.
Gonski 2.0: Your school funding questions answered
Here's our guide to help you cut through the spin.
Theresa May and Malcolm Turnbull made the same miscalculation
The commonalities between a series of recent elections, including last year's poll in Australia, are striking.
Turnbull enters a new phase, but will anyone notice?
The Turnbull government is engaged seriously in trying to solve some big problems that touch the lives of most of the people.
Green-again Turnbull starts down a familiar path
For Malcolm Turnbull, attempting to be "green-again" is a dangerous but necessary risk.
Record-breaking economy? We're no world-beater
The claim Australia has been recession-free for 2½ decades is technically true, but meaningless.
Australia should adopt this delightful but awful UK election tradition
Australia should follow the UK method of announcing seats. Election nights would be more interesting and importantly, more Elmo.
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Campaign highlights - and lowlights
The hurly-burly of the 2016 election campaign, as seen through the eyes of Fairfax reporters and photographers.