The Trump factor means Parliament should approve if it is to be war
As the world tumbles closer to the unthinkable, Australia faces entanglement in a situation it has no scope to influence.
Selective outrage shows silence speaks volumes
Politicians are often outraged. But when they aren't outraged can be equally revealing about their values.
The ABS prostituting its reputation with marriage survey
Given that same-sex marriage is virtually inevitable, the damage to the reputation of the ABS might be the longest lasting effect.
This speech was one of the biggest moments in Bill Shorten's quest for The Lodge
In perhaps his single best speech as Labor leader, Bill Shorten announced he would campaign strongly for reform as he scythed into Malcolm Turnbull's fog.
Penny Wong: Yes this postal ploy hurts, but I plead with you - don't boycott it
"Right now a boycott can only play into the hands of those who would deny us our rights."
What is the point of politics?
Recently our three leading political parties were all simultaneously fighting – not each other, but themselves.
Liberal marriage equality politics are as bad as the policy
Remember the good old days when politicians were accused of being poll-driven or focus-group-driven.
The public service's new social media rules go too far
There must be some way of enabling private social media intercourse without fear of big brother.
The truth is, both sides have struggled on marriage equality
Many Labor MPs who now back reform would rather forget their own past.
A postal vote is a silly idea, but polling voters makes sense
The irony is that under different circumstances, something like the postal vote could be just what we need to refresh the political system.
Party rule leaves Turnbull weaker every day
Strong leaders don't need to tell you they're strong leaders.
Turnbull and Abbott: divisive rivals for decades
Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott are the key figures in the deep division within the Liberal Party and, arguably, within Australia.
The Prime Minister makes his case, believing it or not
The Prime Minister swept in as you might imagine a barrister would, especially one trying mightily to persuade himself and anyone willing to listen that his was a righteous case, whether he believed it or not.
Same sex, same problem: Turnbull fails to resolve crisis
It was the special party room meeting called to fix the Prime Minister's "special" problem.
Resignation the honourable course of action for MPs afraid of debate
Nobody's saying how you have to vote, but if you refuse to even discuss it, you should probably resign.
Major parties doing nothing to prevent populist anger infiltrating Australia
Unless the main leaders they can stop indulging their own political self-absorption, the voters will turn to the fringe politicians who can.
Bill Shorten's argument on inequality isn't new, but it could prove effective
Bill Shorten has been been preparing to fight an election campaign based on his argument that inequality has reached the point where it is threatening the nation's social fabric.
Beware the neglected, vulnerable worker
It stands to reason that in the absence of convincing solutions to persistent problems, unhappy voters will seek alternatives, and look for someone to blame.
Don't wish too hard. We've got the low wage growth we sought
The incoming Coalition government wanted low wage growth, badly.
A chance for peace in the South China Sea
Potentially the biggest prizes in the South China Sea will come from oil and gas discoveries
The Liberal marriage deal to avert an ugly divorce
A deal to resolve the Coalition's internal split over marriage reform looks like the most likely outcome from Monday's special policy meeting. Here's how it could plan out.
What the Trump leak reveals about Malcolm Turnbull
We learnt some important new things from the transcript of Malcolm Turnbull's explosive first phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
Malcolm Turnbull gets Trumped: From inside the waterfront mansion
"I'm sorry to wake you, Mr Prime Minister, but there's been a development overnight."
How a handsome young man with a silver tongue became PM
By 1888, when the centenary of the First Fleet's arrival was celebrated, Victoria was far and away the leading Australian colony and Marvellous Melbourne a world-class metropolis. Thirty-two-year-old Alfred Deakin was chief secretary, a political wunderkind who had been a member of parliament for almost a decade. Ned Kelly was already dead, hanged on November 11, 1880 for murdering a policeman. Deakin saw the hanging, most likely as a reporter for The Age, one of the 50 men allowed inside the Melbourne Gaol to witness the drop.
Why inequality isn't the biggest problem in Australia
If income inequality is the big problem, why are there no welfare payments aimed at decreasing it?
When the power goes out, so does civil society
You don't need to be one of those wild-eyed doomsday preppers who bury steel containers in their backyards and fill them with canned food to recognise we're a stalled power plant away from chaos.
A trick as old as it is transparent: when in political trouble, blame the media
Just because a story is sexy doesn't make it fake and blaming the media won't save you if your ship is going under.
Malcolm Turnbull eyes a near-death experience
The stakes in the looming same-sex marriage showdown within the Coalition may be higher than you think.
Marriage debate spins beyond Malcolm Turnbull's control
No matter how this proceeds, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has lost control. It is a bizarrely weak position for a prime minister.
The Mooch becomes the mini-moocher
How unfair is this? The Mooch has already mooched off.
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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.