Coal fight casts a pall over Turnbull's clean energy reforms
Australia's energy grid remains messy, ad hoc, stridently politicised and subject to an uncertain outlook.
We're stuck in our own Utopia
Our static, outdated, parliamentary democracy is no longer working.
Balance all but invisible as the public square becomes dysfunctionally shouty
The parliamentary citizenship frenzy gripping Canberra in recent weeks suddenly feels a bit anti-climactic.
Citizenship saga: the onus of proof, politically at least, has shifted
Tony Abbott's dare and Bill Shorten's capitulation will now make it impossible for any MP suspected of dual citizenship issues to withhold their documentation.
Killer crocs and Cleopatra rescue a wearisome Parliament
These are alarming times, what with the Korean Peninsula on the brink of war. Only Bob Katter could summon a more apocalyptic vision.
Could 'real Malcolm' save Turnbull from himself?
Malcolm Turnbull can decide whether his slight recovery in Newspoll is an aberration or the start of a structural return to electoral competitiveness.
Torrid times a headache for Turnbull's team
Labor's wiser parliamentary strategists are reminding themselves of a sage lesson in tactics.
Politicians cannot leave the difficult choices to others
A citizen's jury is a nice theory of government but the opinion of a random collection of citizens won't necessarily stick.
Energy pirates are pillaging the Australian people
The Prime Minister's proposal for energy retailers to write to one million customers by Christmas is non-binding and ineffective.
Turnbull treads a careful path through US chaos
It is tempting to explain America's mixed messaging towards North Korea as calculated - the old "good cop, bad cop" routine. If only it were that complicated.
Getting economic messaging right requires courage
None of the senior figures in either the Abbott or Turnbull governments have handled economic messaging well.
Updating our history should not be a problem
No Australian should be upset by the proposals to change the wording on Cook's statue.
Flatlining Malcolm Turnbull can still win. Here's how
Let's consider Malcolm Turnbull's best case scenario.
Latest Abbott essay reveals his reactionary footing
The answer: Certainly not Tony Abbott and his reactionary slogans and one-liners.
Despite the hype, PM settles for low wattage price relief
The Prime Minister dialled it up to 11 but the resting face of Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg presaged the modest scale of the government's energy package.
Statue vandalism: more than a black and white issue
Sometimes I wonder whether outrage gets lost on the way.
Coalition wrong to resist judicial probe into banks
Although royal commissions are costly and lengthy, the weight of evidence against the banks has become compelling.
When 'bipartisan' means bereft of ideas
Labor's become the "do nothing" party, coasting to victory, unwilling to let any policy idea get in the way of a vote
Our craven nation: the case for agility on statues
Australia is a nation scared. Scared to fully stake out its own flag. Scared to install an Australian as head of state. Nervous even about bringing into the daylight a more complete account of its own creation.
Any deport in a storm: Turnbull's search for a distraction
If only we could afford to live the way we do, lamented Europe's entitled nobility as the continental order crumbled in the 1930s.
Government losing its resistance to rent-seeking businesses
I'm starting to suspect the federal government – of whatever colour – has lost its ability to control its own spending.
Fowl play in the Parliament
Pauline Hanson's stunt would have been out of order had Senate rules of years gone by been applied.
What could they have to hide? The only solution is an immediate citizenship inquiry
Until all federal politicians are independently examined, it is reasonable to expect that more ineligible MPs will emerge.
Former PM held office despite big questions on his citizenship
Barnaby Joyce is not the highest-ranking politician to have his citizenship credentials questioned.
Anti-terror strategy must keep up with twisted IS tactics
Justice Minister Michael Keenan says the new strategy for protecting crowded places against terrorism will leave the worrying to the experts so the rest of us can enjoy our lives when we venture out.
Postal plebiscite a debacle likely to happen for Turnbull
There is a strong possibility of a major debacle over the result of the marriage-equality plebiscite in November.
Council's decision to ban Australia Day not a surprise
There should be no denying the white invasion of Australia or the wars and massacres that took place.
Idiot wind blows from the global leadership vacuum
Welcome to the end of the age of reason, sniped the US president as his corrupt ways finally dragged him low.
Turnbull must reassure Australians as faith in the Parliament crumbles
But Malcolm Turnbull must now rise above his disappointment, park the frustration, and project control, stability, and yes, leadership.
Crossing The Line book extract
Crossing The Line. Australia’s Secret History in the Timor Sea.
- Video duration
- 03:40
Campaign highlights - and lowlights
The hurly-burly of the 2016 election campaign, as seen through the eyes of Fairfax reporters and photographers.