Independent
Malcolm Fraser
China versus Japan: it's time for us to be independent
Malcolm Fraser The ownership of islands in the East China Sea now represents a highly sensitive and dangerous issue.
Thalia Anthony
Taser incidents need independent scrutiny
Thalia Anthony A review of a recent death involving a Taser is welcome, but does not diminish the appearance of police investigating police.
New broom can make a mess
Jack Waterford Nothing erodes effectiveness more than constant reorganisation, rebadging and reshuffling at the top
Abortion debate: the blast from the past no one wants
Jacqueline Maley Of all possible '90s throwbacks - high-waisted jeans, scrunchies, the music of Mariah Carey - a renewed debate about abortion law has to be the least welcome.
Faceless men forced to confront own uncertain futures
Mark Kenny Like the carnivorous Dasyurus (quoll), Factius Powbrokius is mostly timid and rarely sighted in the open.
Why it's always the right time to push for a republic
Wayne Swan The Asian Century is another reason to revive this debate.
Canary isle shows climate change is real
Peter Hartcher The delegation of parliamentarians from four tropical Pacific Islands nations braved the Canberra cold last week, and that wasn't the only climate shock they suffered.
Rivals cuddle up before bipartisan bubble bursts
Judith Ireland There was something almost genteel about the meeting that took place in committee room 1.
Australian politics 101: take the money and run
Sally Young Collusion by the major parties on political funding has been alive and well for two decades.
When even the unions yield
Peter Hartcher When the union movement's new ad campaign hit TV screens this week, it took the Liberal Party - and many in Labor - by surprise.
Joyce's swerves of logic on roads don't hold up
Peter Reith Joyce should read the fine print before advocating a proposal that will mean more power to the federal bureaucracy and potentially significant disadvantage to the people he wants to represent.
Analysis
Gonski drama ain't over just yet
Jewel Topsfield Education Minister Martin Dixon has long lamented that the most significant reform of school funding in 40 years has been reduced to a motherhood statement.
When two tribes go to bed
Peter Hartcher Tony Abbott began his public backdown on Thursday morning by saying: "Well, it is pretty clear the people have spoken and the electoral funding bill is dead.
Action on inept anti-terror laws must get priority
George Williams Last week on budget day the federal government released two independent reports on Australia's anti-terrorism laws.
Sly support for referendum
John Warhurst Supporters of same-sex marriage would be misguided to encourage a referendum this September.
Industrial lite on the hill
Michael Gordon Tony Abbott has produced a minimalist industrial relations policy with a bold objective - to eliminate what he considers the biggest threat to a Coalition victory in September.
Coalition must be smarter when it issues preferences
Gerard Henderson Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan and Greg Combet appear to believe Labor will win the election.
Expectation in the age of entitlement
Matt Wade Will your family be around the TV on Tuesday night to see what the federal government has in store?
Gallagher backs paid parking - but wants funds to stay local
Emma Macdonald and Tom McIlroy Canberra workers and visitors to national institutions will be forced to cough up almost $74 million in new parking fees in the Parliamentary Triangle and at Acton over the next three years.
Treasurer's faith in theory is touching
Tim Colebatch Why can't we believe the budget forecasts? Why were they so wrong over the past decade? Does Wayne Swan decide the forecasts, as the Liberals imply, or does Treasury?
