In Victoria, Steve Bracks’s minority government transformed a knife-edge win into electoral longevity and parliamentary reform, write Brian Costar and David Hayward
03 Sep 10 Comments (0)Rebels with a cause
The prospect of a minority federal government throws a spotlight on the quiet rise of a generation of independent MPs in state and federal parliaments. Brian Costar and Jennifer Curtin look at their motivations, role and significance
23 Aug 10 Comments (1)
Election funding transparency: Australia has a lot to learn
Australia votes in a fortnight but we won’t find out who made large election donations to the parties until early 2012. In this respect, we can learn something from the United States, writes Brian Costar
10 Aug 10 Comments (2)Re-entering chartered waters?
In Tasmania, Greens leader Nick McKim is pushing for Labor or the Liberals to strike a written agreement with his party in return for its support. Brian Costar and Jennifer Curtin look at the precedents
22 Mar 10 Comments (2)Missing voters
With four elections in twelve months it’s likely that allegations about electoral fraud will surge in 2010. Brian Costar looks at two court cases that exposed a striking lack of evidence behind the claims
22 Jan 10 Comments (1)Could Labor win Kooyong?
On the back of an envelope, the figures look very interesting. But what’s in it for Labor, asks Brian Costar
25 Aug 09 Comments (1)Karl Marx and the branch stackers
The Brimbank Council scandal illustrates all that’s wrong with party factions, writes Brian Costar
14 May 09 Comments (3)St Patrick’s day massacre
Australia’s new electoral commissioner has puts the facts back into the electoral reform debate, writes Brian Costar
03 Apr 09 Comments (3)Close, but not close enough
Lawrence Springborg has a glimpse of the summit, but the polls suggest he won’t get there this time, writes Brian Costar
18 Mar 09 Comments (0)
