This discussion paper sets out the proposed levels of caps on electoral expenditure and political donations, as well as the introduction of partial public funding of political parties and candidates as recommended by the independent inquiry.

This report finds that the conduct of the Members in question does not constitute a contempt of Parliament, even though in some cases, the conduct was not up to the standard expected from Victorian MPs.

The crushing contemporary verdict on Turnbull is that he has no core set of beliefs from which to dissemble: just an emptiness that only the prestige of the prime ministership can fulfil.

Modern-day Australia imposes certain realities on political parties. The most important one is that the important public policy issues of the day go beyond old-fashioned left/right characterisations.

While the states are making improvements to their political donations laws and practices, Canberra still has a long way to go.