The Australian Labor Party has released its internal review of the 2025 federal election campaign. For a document reflecting on an historic win of 94 seats, it is notably focused on what comes next. It offers a useful window into how the party reads its mandate and, more importantly, how seriously it takes the gap […]

In the last Inside Word, I wrote about the resignation of Kevin Rudd as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, and who might be his replacement. I got it wrong; Prime Minister Albanese has gone for a career public servant not a political appointment. Greg Moriarty has been named the next Ambassador currently Australia’s Secretary […]

The Australian bond market is jittery. The 10-year yield hit 4.83% (at the time of writing) – its highest since November 2023 – as investors braced for the RBA to tighten the screws. Rising yields mean investors are demanding more compensation to lend money. Faith now comes at a premium. It’s almost poetic. Bonds are […]

In a media week dominated by leadership chatter, policy battles and more-than-the-usual Canberra theatre, we were gleefully distracted in the pop culture corner by the breaking of Brand Beckham.  On the surface, the public tension between Brooklyn Beckham and his wildly famous parents looked like classic celebrity drama. Underneath, it was something more interesting: a […]

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of colonies chose defiance over accommodation. They were weaker, dependent and vulnerable, yet they resisted the authority of the most powerful empire of their time. In doing so, they shaped a new world order.  The Declaration of Independence signified the rejection of a system that did not […]

Politics runs on calendars as much as it runs on convictions. For Queensland’s Crisafulli Government, 2026 isn’t just another year in office – it’s the last clear runway before the election clock starts working against them. Four-year terms might sound like we get more governing time. But in reality, the governing window is tighter than […]

Over the summer, two books influenced my thinking: First Amongst Equals, Hans L. Trefouss’s account of Abraham Lincoln’s rise to the US presidency, and Tony Abbott’s History of Australia.  Lincoln was renowned for uniting the Republican Party. Not only did he prevail in the American Civil War, but he also laid the foundations in 1865 for the modern […]

Ten structural signals shaping Australian politics after the 2025 federal election The 2025 Australian Election Study (AES) provides the deepest view yet of the forces shaping Australian political behaviour. Beyond headline results about leader popularity, the study points to long-term trends in how voters think about government, economic stress, social issues, party identity and institutional […]

As Australia headed into Christmas 12 months ago, the political consensus was that the Albanese Government was in trouble, and would likely fall into a minority position at the upcoming election. Jump forward just five months, and Albo enjoyed one of the most stunning electoral victories in our nation’s history.  The magnitude of Labor’s win caught […]