Political purgatory exposes the ugly election
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This period of political purgatory has exposed some very unattractive elements of our system.
Quality journalism and a 21st century ABC
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The 2010 election has changed how we think of 'politics as usual' in this country.
A refreshingly new political paradigm
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I know it's not popular to say so in some company - but I am a fan of the new paradigm!
War, peace and interior decorating
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Barack Obama has lousy timing. While he was away on a 10-day holiday at the exclusive Martha's Vineyard, the Oval Office was getting a makeover.
Why NSW must allow same-sex adoption
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MPs in NSW have been allowed a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex adoption. I hope they pass the law.
The reality of consensus building politics
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The past two weeks have been unreal and atypical. Everybody is on their best behaviour until the deals are done.
Opinion poll blues
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No amount of opinion polling is going to change the reality that the vote in the general election was pretty well 50-50.
Another scandal, another minister resigns
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The New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir will once again have to open up the doors of Government House so a new Labor minister can be sworn in to replace another who has quit because of a scandal.
Goldilocks can't have perfect porridge forever
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Several economists have now adopted the phrase 'Goldilocks economy' to describe Australia, but our apparently perfect porridge is bound to cool or reheat eventually.
Lord's Test scandal: where's cricket's leadership?
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The ICC's response to the drama of the Lord's Test has mirrored the incident itself.
Gillard's Parliament renovation a surprise-reveal job
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After 23 days as a prime minister plus 33 days of the oddest election campaign ever plus 10 days of the madness that has followed it, Julia Gillard still looks as if nothing is out of the ordinary.
Reliving the horrors of the Ivan Milat case
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"Police are investigating the discovery of human remains found in the Belanglo State Forest".
Dignified silence a thing of the past
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Which has more dignity, to maintain a sober public silence in the face of grief/accident/misfortune, or to tell all to A Current Affair?
Betting on democracy
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Somewhere along the line we have been seduced into thinking that it's all right to bet on the democratic process.
Dirty deeds, no-balls and defeat
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There are principally two agents that can be used to manipulate sporting contests - drugs and money.
Doogie Howser MP
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Consider this your official cut out 'n' keep guide to the new minister for Longman.
Two-speed economy brings a two-speed polity
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Australia's hung Parliament reflects the post-GFC divisions that are now haunting the world.
Unwritten conventions of government
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Let me run through a few questions about what will happen in coming weeks and how the constitutional conventions apply.
In the name of a cricket legend
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Dearly cricket beloved we are gathered here today in the name of Don Bradman.
Change lies ahead on the road to reformation
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If this election result - this great national shrug of the shoulders - has created anything, it's an opportunity for change that might actually happen.
Well-readhead: Sitting down for reading action
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With the whole nation absorbed in post-election intrigue, I'm declaring today's reading list a politics-free zone.
Time for a second-chance vote
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This moment of administrative interregnum does have a certain promise ... but it might be time we all got another vote.
The importance of family values
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The terrain becomes more complicated. Here's the situation, as Day Five dawns.
Three wise men seek semblance of stability
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It's clear what the three independents want is some semblance of stability over the coming years.