Lucy Bradlow and Bronwen Bock, have announced that they will run as job-sharing independent candidates for the inner-Melbourne federal seat of Higgins but that doesn't mean they'll be able to do so. The post Two into one won’t go appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Despite growing momentum to increase female representation in Australia’s national parliament, it continues to be a male dominated domain. New research from Monash University explores why young women still feel reluctant to become a member of the national parliament. The post Women still see politics as a male-dominated domain appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Australia's public service needs a more robust system for decision-making and policy planning to navigate increasing complexities and become more resilient to change. The post Reforming public service leadership appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Successive federal governments have called into question the values that lie at the very heart of Australia’s hard-won and cherished democratic freedoms. The post Fear and loathing in Australia appeared first on Openforum ..read more

From the storming of the US Capitol on the January 6 2021, to the similar uprising in Brazil in 2023, far-right politicians are infringing on democratic ideals across the world. If we are serious about meeting the challenge they pose, we must stop treating them as legitimate, democratic actors and instead see them as the threat they really are. The post Popping the populism bubble appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Spending on Australian diplomacy has reached new lows, meaning important events, meetings, and committees are being missed or attended by interns, and Australians are still waiting for the Albanese government to do something about it. The post The underfunding of Australian diplomacy appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Despite Australia’s claim to egalitarianism, achieving equal political participation and representation remains a formidable challenge for women. The post Women in politics appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Although he once quipped that "You can never plan the future by the past" could the work of 18th-century political theorist Edmund Burke, famed for his cautionary take on the French Revolution, help modern democracies escape their current malaise? The post Listen to the people appeared first on Openforum ..read more

Scott Morrison, Australia’s 30th prime minister, will soon deliver his valedictory speech to the House of Representatives. As Morrison leaves parliament, it’s timely to ask where he is placed in the pantheon of Australia’s national leaders. The post Ranking Scott Morrison appeared first on Openforum ..read more

The National Anti-Corruption Commission will provide guidance on “corruption vulnerabilities” ahead of next year’s federal election, given increasing public concern on the issue. The post Corruption watch appeared first on Openforum ..read more