Malcolm Mackerras considers the best way to achieve the principle of ‘one vote one value’ in Australia and decides that it can only be achieved for the Territories by using the number of voters on the roll rather than population as the basis for distribution. This would give the ACT back its third seat and...

Kate Sullivan of the UK Electoral Commission reviews who can vote in the United Kingdom and finds that the franchise is much more expansive in Britain than in Australia.

Harry Evans, Clerk of the Senate, reviews the appropriations process as it relates to government spending on advertising. He suggests that appropriations are made for ends that are specified only in the vaguest terms. Consequently, little limit is applied to the purposes on which the money may be spent.

The treasurer, Peter Costello, has called for Australia to create the most ‘female-friendly environment in the world’. Marian Sawer finds, however, that Australia has just slid to its lowest place ever in the league table of women’s representation in national parliaments and a major factor has been the Liberal Party’s failure to preselect women.

Queensland was the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce legislation to protect whistleblowers. David Solomon reviews the operation of the law and argues that more protection is needed.