Politics

Fear and insecurity are killing public debate

Volume 11 Number 9 September 28 - October 25 2015

Associate Professor Sarah Maddison from the University of Melbourne’s School of Social and Political Sciences writes that successive federal governments have called into question the values that lie at the very heart of Australia’s hard-won and cherished democratic freedoms.

Should foreign countries intervene in civil wars?

Volume 11 Number 8 August 10 - September 13 2015

At a time when civil wars rage around the world and the right of foreign countries to intervene remains controversial, Australian-based research is set to break new ground. Gabrielle Murphy reports.

Women the victims of intimate partner terrorism

Volume 11 Number 7 July 13 - August 9 2015

Masters of Journalism student Matthew Wade reflects on the epidemic of intimate terrorism in Australia.

Time is ripe for democracy renewal

Volume 11 Number 7 July 13 - August 9 2015

Dr Mark Triffitt says a new website, to be launched by the Melbourne School of Government, will help unlock the often complex and sometimes arcane debate about what’s wrong with contemporary democracy and how to fix it.

Almost half of all people released from the prison system become homeless

Volume 11 Number 6 June 8 - July 13 2015

Laura Soderlind reports on a new study that shows a significant number of people released from prison will become homeless.

Weeding out worker exploitation in the food supply chain

Volume 11 Number 6 June 8 - July 13 2015

Melbourne Law School’s Dr Tess Hardy writes that to protect the rights of agricultural workers key market players, such as high-profit supermarkets and fast food chains, need to work with government to shoulder some regulation responsibilities.

Labor MP Mark Dreyfus’ candid return to alma mater

Volume 11 Number 5 May 11 - June 7 2015

Andy Walsh speaks with Law alumni, former Attorney General and politician Mark Dreyfus about his views on Australia on the international stage.

Charting legal history on the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary

Volume 11 Number 4 April 13 - May 10 2015

This year is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, which effectively established English Common Law and brought all men, king and commoner alike, to live subject to the laws of the land. Andy Walsh previews a forthcoming lecture on the document and its legacy by leading British legal historian Paul Brand.

Destination Australia: how did we end up here?

Volume 11 Number 3 March 9 - April 12 2015

 

In recent years, events at sea, on Nauru and Manus Island have seen Australian asylum-seeker policy come under sharp public scrutiny. And although the boats may have stopped, over 50 million refugees remain scattered around the world. University of Melbourne researchers believe it’s time to change the face of the debate. By Elizabeth Brumby.

Writing history in pictures

Volume 11 Number 2 February 9 - March 8 2015

 

With the question of treatment of child refugees continuing to prick our national conscience, a new historical study explores how visual imagery of this vexed and divisive issue has changed over time and continues to impact government policy. By Gabrielle Murphy.

The leadership challenges for Victoria in 2015

Volume 11 Number 1 January 12 - February 8 2015

 

Experts in economics, management, health and education explore the pressing changes that will face the recently elected Andrews Labor government in 2015. These views were first published in fuller form on the Election Watch Victoria website.

Check your voting direction with Vote Compass

Volume 10 Number 11 November 10 - December 7 2014

 

Dr Aaron Martin, a political scientist advising the ABC/University of Melbourne Vote Compass project explains its workings. By Jo Chandler.