Marian Sawer The multifarious attempts at voter suppression in the 2020 US presidential election might prompt Australians to be grateful for the quality of our own electoral administration. Uniquely, Australia has had since… Continue reading
The use of internet technologies, such as social media, are closely intertwined with how political parties organise and campaign today. This embrace of the internet has an impact on the organising logics and… Continue reading
It is easy to forget that the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) was, once, the party for women. The Liberals were better at talking about politics on women’s terms, extolling the private sphere… Continue reading
With the next election increasingly likely, it’s a good opportunity to take stock. Let’s think back to federal election night, Saturday 2 July, 2016. For those looking to get to bed before midnight… Continue reading
We care about public opinion and policy congruency for normative and practical reasons. For reasons of values, if nothing else, some form of policy representation is necessary for democratic government. However, this link… Continue reading
Representative democracy is party democracy. Parties helped to create and continue to shape our democratic institutions, dominating the formation of governments and (most) executive offices around the world. The policies they adopt when… Continue reading
The events of the past fortnight have rocked the Australian Greens in a way they have not been at any point since their entry into the Australian political scene. The dual episodes of… Continue reading
A new study on how political parties deal with changing communications technology revives unresolved debates about the drivers of party change. Can parties choose how and when to adapt to technological change –… Continue reading
In the three federal elections since the Australian Labor Party (ALP) were elected to government in 2007, first preferences for non-major parties and Independents in Australia have increased significantly. While in 2007 these… Continue reading
Politics in 1950s Adelaide was a gentlemanly affair. The Premier, Thomas Playford, and Labor’s Mick O’Halloran faced each other in four election campaigns between 1950 and 1959. More surprisingly, they dined together each… Continue reading
