Analysis & Opinion

WA Labor's flagship policy could leave a legacy which WA Labor could campaign around for decades, so it raised eyebrows when the Opposition failed to ask even one question during estimates — a time ministers are traditionally grilled on major projects.

The votes have been counted and New Zealanders have had their say, but the dust is far from settled as the nation eagerly awaits news on who will form government, Josh Bavas writes.

Australians are quick to venerate their soldiers. So why don't we seem to care as much about peacekeeping — work that often demands more nous than a straight war?

If we limit our reading to books by writers who resemble ourselves, aren't we missing the point, asks Nicola Heath.

In the debate over whether Aung San Suu Kyi should do more to stop the violence in Myanmar, it's often pointed out that she has limited power to intervene — the "de facto leader" has widespread support, but the army still rules the joint, writes Liam Cochrane.

At a time when all West Australians are being hit with hikes to household fees and charges, voters are likely to feel frustrated that the Opposition is failing to lay a glove on the Government over wasted tax dollars on empty car parks, vacant offices and generous payouts to staffers.

The less stigmatised and taboo female nudity is, the less provoking it will also be, writes Natalie Baker.

It's not that I'm offended. But now it's everywhere and it's losing its punch, writes James Valentine.

Julie McCrossin was 13 when she first felt the creeping sensations of shame, fear and dread when she realised she was a lesbian, some 20 years before she was swept up in the "explosion" of gay rights activism.

We seem all too eager to vilify or mock or threaten or physically attack our opponents rather than seek common ground, writes Stan Grant.

What if the way we set exercise goals isn't actually that helpful, or worse, makes it even harder for us to become more active?

We were warned the postal vote would bring out an ugly debate and it has. As always, it's the loony fringes on both sides who are responsible but so far it's the Yes camp that appears to be doing more self-harm, writes David Lipson.

In Australia, there have been a number of cases of Buruli ulcers, an infection caused by a "flesh-eating" bacteria. If left untreated, it can result in significant disfigurement and disability. Here's what you need to know (and how to avoid it).

The same-sex marriage survey is a rare example of direct democracy — albeit non-compulsory and conducted by mail, writes Michelle Grattan.

Community programs that treat offenders as victims first can break the cycle of abuse, writes Kirsti Melville.

Spending time in the kitchen is about more than food: it builds important skills for children and their parents, writes Kat Wieczorek-Ghisso.

For the past few decades Australia's deregulated banks gobbled up almost every financial services business they were allowed to take over. Now it seems they have a severe case of asset reflux.

Dozens of people across Australia have died in recent months after contracting the flu. Why is it the flu can cause death but we don't generally hear of colds doing the same?

The more Tony Abbott's anti-renewable energy position gets traction, the worse the policy problem for Malcolm Turnbull and his Government. It raises the question: how can it go on without blowing up? Michelle Grattan writes.

Difficulties for de facto couples arise from the complex inter-relationship between the "burden of proof", institutionalised homophobia, and the sticky situations that can often arise in interpersonal or family conflict.