Cory Bernardi's decision to quit the Liberals to start a new conservative party has dominated the start of parliament. 'I fought within the Liberal Party tent to uphold the principles and visions and values that attracted me to the Liberal Party in the first place, and that our grassroots overwhelmingly support', he said. 'But the...

Introduction From 1901 to the end of the 44th Parliament in May 2016, 329 different members and two senators have been disorderly enough during proceedings of the House of Representatives as to result in disciplinary action by the Speaker. This study outlines the bases of the House’s authority to deal with disorderly behaviour, and the...

Introduction In 2013 Australia returned to majority government when the Abbott Coalition Government was elected with 90 out of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, minor and micro parties and Independents held the balance of power. The 44th Parliament was very different to the preceding Parliament but in many ways...

Provides details of House of Representatives by-elections, from that held for Darling Downs on 14 September 1901 to the most recent held on 5 December 2015 for North Sydney. Executive summary This paper provides details of House of Representatives by-elections, from that held for Darling Downs on 14 September 1901 to the most recent held...

This paper explores the international shift away from social democracy in the late 1970s through the modern 'growth as consumption' economic mindset that has resulted in intense individualism, and a collapse of socially and environmentally attuned policy-making.