This paper briefly describes the administrative framework supporting the Parliament of Australia, and also its current financial arrangements. A review of the funding arrangements which exist in other comparable legislatures suggests an avenue of reform for the Parliament’s administrative and budgetary arrangements to strengthen the independence of the Parliament.

Paul Malone reviews the current caretaker conventions, designed to ensure that a government does not exploit its position once an election is called. The conventions are, however, interpreted very differently between departments, particularly in relation to departmental websites. New guidelines should minimise the scope for conflicting interpretations.

Colin A Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Queensland, looks at the history of the study of campaign finance in Australia and why it has been so under-developed. in 2006 campaign finance has been a regular feature in the media. This is partly because of recent amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral...

Elisa Arcioni considers the decision to include seats for the Italian diaspora in the Italian parliament. The decision was of even greater significance since it was the results in the Australasian seat that gave the Prodi government its majority in the Senate.

Whether born or bred republican, it has long been a truism that the political views of young people are greatly influenced by their parents, particularly the more vocal and influential parent (which is not always the father, mind you). Rebecca Huntley discusses the current generation of young Australians and their attitudes to a republic. She...