University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. With the new parliament starting next Tuesday, they talk about the prospects for the Greens’ push to secure a toughening of the government’s climate bill. They also canvass the coming grim news when Treasurer Jim Chalmers […]
What happened during the last government shutdown: 4 essential reads
The U.S. is (once again) staring down the barrel of a government shutdown. Barring progress on a spending bill to fund government agencies past Sept. 30, 2021 – and Democrats are busying themselves trying to get such a measure through Congress – federal workers could find themselves being sent home, or asked not to come […]
How to design clean energy subsidies that work – without wasting money on free riders
The planet is heating up as greenhouse gas emissions rise, contributing to extreme heat waves and once-unimaginable flooding. Yet despite the risks, countries’ policies are not on track to keep global warming in check. The problem isn’t a lack of technology. The International Energy Agency recently released a detailed analysis of the clean energy technology […]
Here are some of the political events that will dominate headlines in 2022
Last year started out hopeful with the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines, but quickly proved to be a challenging year for governments and communities worldwide. Still in the midst of the pandemic, 2022 will bring about a host of significant political issues and events that will impact communities, both locally and globally. Here are some of […]
Bongo’s rule ended by failed promises and shifting alliances
The Bongo family’s 56 year hold on power in Gabon was abruptly brought to an end with a military coup on 30 August. The military takeover happened hours after election results were announced that gave Ali Bongo Ondimba a third term. Gyldas Ofoulhast-Othamot, a professor of public and international affairs with published research on Gabon, […]
Sussan Ley says she is listening to women who rejected the Liberals. But will she hear what they are saying?
Sussan Ley, deputy leader of the Liberal Party and shadow minister for women, has been given a difficult task: bring women voters back to the Liberal Party. This will be no mean feat, given widespread acknowledgement they played a significant role in the Morrison government’s defeat. Ley has assured women that “we hear you”. She […]
why it’s happening and why interest rates are going up to combat it
Soaring prices have forced central banks in many developed countries to raise their interest rates in recent weeks. These organisations are in charge of attempts to rein in rising costs that are threatening to wreak havoc on household budgets in coming months. Western economies are currently experiencing two major shocks that are pushing up the […]
Labor gains clear Newspoll lead during Sydney lockdown, but will the economy save the Coalition?
This week’s Newspoll, conducted July 14-17 from a sample of 1,506, gave Labor a 53-47 lead, a two-point gain for Labor since the previous Newspoll three weeks ago. This is the biggest Labor Newspoll lead for this parliamentary term. Primary votes were 39% Coalition (down two), 39% Labor (up two), 10% Greens (down one) and […]
Recognizing the transformational potential of Indigenous-led conservation economies
Over the last decade, Canada has seen an increase in the number of initiatives to green or circularize the economy through sustainable development, as well as those that support and enhance Indigenous environmental leadership. Both projects are desperately needed given our rapid progress towards capitalist-driven climate catastrophe. Although there is interest in creating new economic […]
Swelling grocery bills are pummeling the poorest – who spend over a quarter of their incomes on food
CC BY-ND The cost of eggs and bread is soaring – a trend that’s particularly punishing for the poorest Americans. Average food prices climbed an annualized rate of 10.4% in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on July 13, 2022. The gains were driven primarily by the cost of groceries, which jumped the most […]