Political trust is essential to a well-functioning democracy, but it has declined sharply in the United Kingdom over recent decades. To democratise law-making and rebuild political trust – this report makes the case for action in three key areas: rebuilding trust in lawmakers; rebuilding trust in law-making institutions; and extending the role of citizens in...

Democratic backsliding often advances not through dramatic constitutional change, but through the quiet manipulation of parliamentary procedure. This report shows how rules on agendas, debate, discipline and legislative scrutiny can be turned into tools for silencing opposition, concentrating power and weakening democratic accountability. It distils lessons for building more resilient parliaments.

A well-functioning democracy depends on informed, transparent and accountable law-making. Using recent case studies, this paper shows how limited consultation and attempts to short-circuit committee scrutiny can undermine legislative quality and democratic legitimacy. The paper calls for four law-making integrity safeguards to be embedded as standard practice as a practical standard for the Australian Parliament.

On the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, which meant the end of World War II for Australia, this paper reflects on the role of, and events in, the Victorian Parliament during the war years. This paper provides a summary of the key political events occurring in Victoria around the war, while also...

This report provides an immediate starting point for modernising the Parliament of the United Kingdom into a more inclusive, supportive and effective working institution. It provides the framework for quick and low-cost changes to create immediate impact while longer term structural changes are considered.