Marking the class of 2023

It’s not just Australian children who get report cards as school breaks up. So do government ministers, when parliament rises at the end of the year, so how is Anthony Albanese’s administration faring as the inevitable political problems pile up now the honeymoon is over.

One man committee

Scott Morrison’s secret appointment of himself to a string of government ministries was not illegal, but did flout the conventions of how cabinet government, ministerial accountability and administrative transparency should work.

Is democracy a victim of COVID-19?

The sidelining of state and federal parliaments during the COVID-19 crisis, and the emergence of a dominant National Cabinet has raised few public concerns, but is it weakening our democracy?

What’s next for the National Cabinet?

A new Australian institution – the National Cabinet – emerged at a time of crisis, but its success depends on how it works in practice, once the COVID-19 pandemic passes.

COVID-19 spurs the resurgence of the state

Unprecedented stimulus packages and interventions are being deployed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. COVID-19 has generated the requisite conditions for a fundamental transformation in the social and economic role of the state sector.

Why does Australia have a “National Cabinet”?

Writers such as Naomi Wolf have worried about Australia’s abandonment of its normal checks and balances, but the rebadging of COAG as a ‘National Cabinet’ is in line with constitutional norms during a severe but temporary national crisis.

Restoring trust in governments and institutions

The difficult task of restoring political trust will require leaders to reflect on their own behaviour and then working for significant reforms to social and economic policies and electoral systems in the public’s interest, rather than their own.

Improving health literacy crucial to better health outcomes

Health literacy and self care are vital components of a sustainable healthcare system – but Australia has disturbingly low levels of both. Grant Kardachi considers the fundamental importance of improving Australia’s health literacy.