Public Affairs
Expert opinion and analysis on government, power, policy and people and how it shapes our world.
The spirit of our Nation
In his Dungala Kaiela Oration, co-hosted by the University of Melbourne, Senator Pat Dodson says Indigenous Australians are still not benefitting from policy.
Get with the (political) programming
If real-life politics is getting you down, University of Melbourne experts recommend fictional political TV power players to inspire your interest instead.
The last election where anyone cares?
Faith in democracy is plummeting in Australia, and we may be nearing a tipping point where not enough even care, warns a University of Melbourne politics expert
Is Indonesian democracy still trapped in old-style politics?
Joko Widodo may have won Indonesia's elections; but a University of Melbourne expert says it's the next generation of politicians who will shake up democracy.
Leader sloganising passed off as a debate
The first leaders' debate of the Australian election was dominated by sloganising, which is why people are turning off, says a University of Melbourne expert.
Here’s how to renew Australia’s Democracy
Ideas for citizen juries, an independent speaker, and sitting MPs with their opponents are part of a push involving University of Melbourne to renew democracy.
Widodo on track to win, but what next?
What does a second term for Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo mean? University of Melbourne experts cover all the angles from policy to civil society and women.
What key quality should Australia’s next PM have?
As Australia heads to the polls, a University of Melbourne expert says what the country needs most is a prime minister and politicians who tells it like it is.
An Australian guide to India’s elections
Tens of millions of people start voting over the next five weeks in the first phase of India’s giant general election, says a University of Melbourne expert.