What is the role of a minister? A minister has a lot of responsibilities, both as an elected representative but also as part of the executive government their role involves managing government departments, formulating government policy, working alongside and taking on board the advice of the public sector, and introducing government legislation. I sat down with Linda Reynolds, Liberal Senator for Western Australia, and former Minister for Home Affairs (2018-2019), Minister for Defence (2019-2021), Minister for the NDIS (2021-2022) amongst other portfolios, to ask her about the role of the exec ..read more

What training do new MPs get? The standing orders of the chambers can be a complex set of rules to follow, and getting your head around the technical details of a bill may seem intimidating to those who've never had to do it - so what kind of job support and training is there for a Member of Parliament so they can do their job? I sat down with Stephen Bates, Member for Brisbane and Greens MP, to ask him what it's like going from being a retail worker to a Member of Parliament and what resources there are for new MPs to learn from. Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/Au ..read more

Here's a guide on how to vote in Tasmanian state elections! There's been a slight change since the last election in 2021 so here's a handy explainer of that, along with the unique ways Tasmania is different to other states. For the official source of information on voting go to: https://www.tec.tas.gov.au/ Hare-Clark equation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare%E2%80%93Clark_electoral_system The system of counting is named after Thomas Hare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hare_(political_scientist) And Andrew Inglis Clark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Inglis_Clark Support the cha ..read more

I sat down with the ACT's first Gen-Z Member of Parliament and one of the youngest MPs across Australia to ask her why young people in politics is important and how young people can be more confident expressing their voice when it comes to issues that affect them. At 24, she's also the 2nd youngest member of the ACT Legislative Assembly in its history. So what words of encouragement does she have for fellow young people when it comes to engaging with politics both inside and outside the chamber? Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AuspolExplained Like Auspol Explained ..read more

Does AI understand Australian politics? Is ChatGPT a reliable source of information? Well, I asked it to explain elections, the Senate, and the House of Representatives and I was initially impressed by what it got right - followed by mortified by just how incredibly blatantly wrong it could be. So, enjoy! Come learn a thing or two about how parliament works and also the pitfalls of AI generated information. Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AuspolExplained Like Auspol Explained on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Auspol-Explained-107892180702388 Auspol Explained wo ..read more

January 1st, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was created - but who was going to be the first Prime Minister? The choice seemed obvious to everyone except the person actually making it. This is the story of the Hopetoun Blunder, a political controversy where the first Governor-General of Australia wasn't sure what he was doing and caused the nation a load of confusion and one unlucky politician the impossible task of forming a caretaker government with only two weeks before the deadline of federation. Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AuspolExplained Like Auspol E ..read more

Hon Wilson Tucker made history in 2021 by winning a seat in the WA state election with only 98 primary votes for the Daylight Savings Party. 1) How does that work? 2) How does it feel being an unexpected entry to the historic composition of a parliament? 3) Why make a single issue political party? Let's find out! I sat down with the Hon Wilson Tucker to discuss what it felt like to have to make the choice between continuing with a familiar career or flying across the world to take a seat in the WA State Parliament, as well has how he navigates having to balance his own specific political goals ..read more

To vote in a referendum you clearly mark your ballot with YES or NO. But why not something else like a tick or a cross? Well, it isn't actually as clear as you think and so an incorrectly filled out ballot can't legally be counted if that intention is ambiguous or unclear. For official information about how voting works in referendums and to make sure your details are up to date please visit the AEC website: https://aec.gov.au/ Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AuspolExplained Like Auspol Explained on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Auspol-Explained-10789218070238 ..read more

The official Yes and No pamphlet for a referendum is there to let the public know the arguments for and against a proposed change to the constitution - but where did it come from? And is the referendum pamphlet useful? Well, let's explore its history and why it is the way it is. This episode is of course about the general concept of the referendum pamphlet that has over a century of history and not about any specific arguments or ideas in any particular referendum pamphlet itself. Make sure you're enrolled to vote and your details are up to date with the AEC: https://aec.gov.au Support the cha ..read more

To change the constitution in Australia you need a referendum - but how do you vote in a referendum? It's actually incredibly simple! Here's a basic guide as well as a few extra bits of information that's handy to know. For up to date information about voting/referendums go to the Australian Electoral Commission website: www.aec.gov.au Support the channel on patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AuspolExplained Like Auspol Explained on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Auspol-Explained-107892180702388 Auspol Explained would like to acknowledge the Whadjuk Nyoongar people and their Elders as t ..read more