Politics is about appearances as much as policy. But it’s possible to make an informed judgment about political leaders, if we know what to look for.

Participation in social, community and civic groups fell by between eight and 10 percentage points from 2006 to 2019

If Anthony Albanese is determined to forge ahead with the Coalition’s fiscal booby trap, any political capital must be used on genuine redistributive tax reform

The private member’s bill is unlikely to get through, but it raises important points about the scourge of pork-barrelling in Australian politics.

Politicians aren't supposed to be worshipped like rock stars. When we lose the ability to look at them as people who work for us, we give away a lot of our power! Politics is not fandom! This ceramic mug has "Politics is not Fandom" in Blue, Red and Black lettering on both sides. Add some color to your routine with this two-tone, custom accent coffee mug. This 11oz mug features an accented C-Handle that is comfortable to use, as well as an accented interior to add more contrast and character. White ceramic with colored interior and handle. C-handle. Eye-catching color contrast. #politics news #liberal #republican #usa #election #america #congress #politicalmemes #vote #democrat #freedom #democrats #government #love #political #coffeemug #coffee #coffeetime #coffeelover #mug #coffeeaddict #coffeelovers #coffeeholic #coffeecup

Five applicants deemed ‘ineligible’ under program’s guidelines received money

These histories remind us how long First Nations people have waited for political recognition in this country – and that, compared to other former colonial sites, Australia is the exception, not the rule.

Australia’s political leaders need to rebuild the way we think about refugees, around the world and here at home

Exclusive: PM says ‘right decisions’ are needed to ensure Australia emerges a winner in the global race to renewable energy

Great mug for politically informed people who loved the middle school kids in the news who protested against being forced to wear pride clothing by chanting "My Pronouns Are USA". Great ceramic mug that is a great size for you morning coffee or tea or hot chocolate. Smile and have a laugh as have your morning breakfast. Great fathers day mug for the dads and grandfathers who consider themselves libertarian, conservative, or Republicans. .: White ceramic .: 15 oz (0.44 l) .: Rounded corners .: C-handle .: Lead and BPA-free

The history of nuclear power overseas shows a strong predisposition to shonky behaviour.

What Qantas wants, Qantas appears to get. And what it wants now is for the government to go after airports and raise fuel costs.

This year, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is set to celebrate its 50th year of continuous occupation. Its presence is an ongoing call for land rights, sovereignty and self-determination.

The most egregious and provocative news presentation of any newspaper I have witnessed in over fifty years of active public life. Paul Keating

Political Science Teacher Coffee Mug (11 oz / 15 oz), Political Science Teacher Job Definition Mug These mugs make the perfect gift for anyone proud of their profession, or to show appreciation for the extraordinary people who make everyday life work. Whether it's the first rays of sunlight with coffee in hand or the last sip of tea at twilight, these mugs are the perfect tribute to the tireless professionals in every field. They are made to withstand the tests of time, handling the microwave's heat and the dishwasher's rigor with ease. The print remains as sharp and clear as the skills of the professionals they celebrate. Mug Specifications: ☆ 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.8″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.2″ (8.2 cm) in diameter ☆ 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.7″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.3″ (8.5 cm) in diameter ☆ Design printed on both sides SHIPPING: ☆ Processing time: 1-5 days. ☆ Packages are shipped via USPS First Class. Estimated shipping times are 3-5 business days for domestic orders, 8-10 business days for international orders. ☆ Tracking number will be provided.

In the aftermath of a disappointing Voice referendum, Indigenous politicians are looking to the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a potential way forward.

Hundreds of people across the country are appealing large cuts to their NDIS funding, with some resorting to measures like quitting jobs or selling homes to support their loved ones in the meantime.

The NSW Coalition's fresh start promised when Dominic Perrottet became premier has gone pear-shaped after the Nazi uniform debacle.

The political demise of Gough Whitlam man is one of America's dirtiest secrets — but don’t expect to hear that from Australia’s political and media elite, writes John Pilger.

Annastacia Palaszczuk says bill to create truth telling and healing inquiry will be introduced next week

This is the first time in more than a century that a government has won a byelection from an Opposition

The Wizard of Oz - Miss Gulch (AKA Nancy Pelosi) Morphs Into The Wicked Witch Thanks Anon in MT https://youtu.be/O2dvl7jOtzE

Without the canned reconstituted pork product called Spam we'd all be Nazis.

Bizarre Painting Depicts Grover Norquist As The Wizard Of Oz

Alan Kurdi aged three, Galip Kurdi aged five. Remember those names, not as the names of migrants, nor asylum seekers. Remember they were children, little boys who just needed somewhere safe. Maggie spotted the photo of Alan on Facebook and asked about it. I explained that people were trying to escape war zones or persecution but had drowned in the attempt. She assumed the little boy had fallen overboard and was an isolated case so when I told her that these drownings keep happening, that boats keep sinking and thousands of people have drowned she was horrified. At first she said she was glad she lived here where we're safe then worried that was selfish. I reassured her that being grateful for our lives doesn't make her selfish but some people think we shouldn't allow these people here too and that we don't have room for them. Her reaction was instant, "That's just wrong! We have lots of empty houses here. We could go and buy a spare bed to let somebody live with us. It's not fair to let poor people die like that." She is seven years old and in one sentence showed more compassion than many adults, including our Prime Minister. In September 1940, the SS City of Benares was torpedoed, 90 children were on board, evacuees bound for Canada. When the boat sank 77 of these children died. These were children who had been put on a boat to seek refuge in a safer country. At the time there was an outpouring of sympathy and support for those who had lost children. These parents weren't criticised for making the decision to try and send their children somewhere safer even though it proved to ultimately be the wrong decision. Likewise the father of Alan and Galip deserves compassion not condemnation for putting his sons in what turned out to be a fatal situation. This is a man who has lost both his sons and his wife and they risked their lives not for a benefits package but because they hoped they would be able to start a new life where they could be safe. I don't pretend to have the answers to the refugee crisis but I don't believe we can forsake our compassion, our humanity. It shouldn't matter whether a person is a brain surgeon or a street cleaner, is illiterate or has a university degree, we shouldn't only be moved to offer help because we may ultimately benefit from it, we should try to help because it's the right thing to do. These people are our fellow human beings and it should be our natural instinct to want to help. Of course that help should be ideally shared among countries, but we shouldn't refuse just because we perceive other countries aren't doing their bit. If we turn our backs and lose that instinct then I fear for what we have become and what we are capable of. Thankfully there are still many people who haven't lost their sense of empathy and compassion, humanity isn't yet done for. This article in the Independent details ways in which people can help. The author, Patrick Ness pledged to match donations to Save the Children up to £10k, that total was reached in a few hours, John Green, Derek Landy and Jojo Moyes have since offered to match subsequent £10K increments. You can donate here. Dawn O'Porter is gathering supplies and raising money for the refugees at Calais. We may not have all the answers, we may often feel impotent but as long as we still feel, as long as we don't turn our backs then perhaps there is still some hope left? Update Since I wrote this blog yesterday afternoon Patrick Ness' fundraising has gone from strength to strength and as well as raising a huge amount of money for the refuge crisis has sent out an important message, that many, many people do care about the desperate plight their fellow humans are in and want to help. Patrick's £10k donation has been matched by John Green, Derek Landy, Jojo Moyes, Hank Green and a group of American YA authors have also clubbed together to donate more. Just as important though are the donations from the public, from £1 to £10,000, they all send a message of hope and solidarity. As things stand, the amount raised is currently over £155,000 (not including at least £20k pledged and Gift Aid) and when it reaches £195,000 author Louisa Young has pledged to raise it to £200,000. Virgin Money Giving don't make a profit from the site but ordinarily charge a 2% fee to cover their costs - they have said they will waive all fees if the total reaches £250k. Last night Maggie came into the kitchen and said she wished she could do something to help. I told her I've donated some money and we've decided we're going to give some supplies to one of the organisations collecting for the Calais migrants, she's going to help me. Alan and Galip - remember those names but now let the spur be those who are still alive and need our help. Maggie's donation Update 2! Since my earlier update donations continue to pour in and several other authors and publishers have offered to donate £10k as the amount raised reaches subsequent targets. Money isn't the only answer but the generosity of all these people, from the smallest to largest donation is making me feel a bit weepy (in a good way!) this afternoon. Follow Patrick, @Patrick_Ness on Twitter for further updates.

UN special rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territories points out ‘grave risk’ of genocide and Australia’s responsibility to ‘prevent atrocity crimes’

Yes, Labor has won office with an historically low first preference vote- but focussing on this might be misreading the electoral mood.

Bernie Fraser has joined the chorus of calls to raise rates as Labor MP warns ‘we may not get a second chance’

Signing up to ‘pillar two’ of the AUKUS alliance sits uneasily with New Zealand’s distinctive worldview – and could aggravate its wider foreign policy challenges.

Peter Dutton knows that the louder the contention about the voice gets, the more Australians will switch off

Donald Horne’s genius was his ability to capture on the page a personal intellectual journey that reflected one the nation was also taking.

The fracas in the wake of comments by Marcia Langton suggests a necessary conversation – led by people with lived experience – is still out of bounds

Efforts to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from the UK to the US have gone on for years. Here’s what’s been going on and what might happen in court this time.

The referendum became by proxy a vote on Indigenous peoples’ right to exist in our own land. Imagine – just try – how that feels today

Climate change is increasing the risks of extreme heat, floods and bushfires, meaning more people are having to consider moving home. But different people come to different decisions.

One inmate became the voice of the men locked up on Manus. Behrouz Boochani and Ben Doherty look back at the risks he took to get this story to the world

As the NSW election looms, the Perrottet government is showing signs of having been in office too long. But that’s not to say Labor will romp home.

In Sunday’s come-from-behind win over Adelaide, Craig McRae’s team continued to take risks but their success is not all voodoo

Aboriginal people in 1951 framed cultural practice as labour and as a tool for advocacy for Aboriginal rights stretching across the continent.

The proposed Voice to Parliament is a First Nations advisory body. The way New Zealand have ensured Māori representation in Parliament could be a better way to approach Indigenous self-determination.

The yes campaign lost voters in the summer, one insider says - and by the time it shifted strategy, it was too late

Religious organisations are pushing back to a proposed question change in the 2026 census.

Imo State Governor ,Hope Uzodinma retains his position following the Supreme Court's dismissal of an application seeking his removal. A five-member panel

A new book of essays chronicles the failings of the Morrison government, but leaves much unexamined.

Unions say bonus payments, revealed to the ASX on Friday, ‘reward management for short-term thinking and cost cutting’