This progress report of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreements (2025–2034) outlines achievements in the first 12 months. At the centre of the national plan are clear targets for lifting student outcomes and strengthening the education workforce across three key areas. This report presents reform progress against the targets for all state and territory jurisdictions.

This paper describes a co-designed project that models the impact of hypothetical policy interventions on mental health inequities experienced by people with disability. It argues achieving more equitable solutions requires adopting a human-rights informed framework and working in partnership with the people most impacted by inequities and government representatives tasked with developing policy responses.

This report demonstrates that misleading information flourishes in online election advertising and lacks transparency and accountability. Misinformation, scare tactics and messages exploiting cost of living pressures of ‘every day’ struggling Australians is central to both online and other election ads. The report proposes five recommendations to strengthen transparency and improve election advertising online.

This report presents potential solutions for protecting Australia’s democracy, including common-sense actions to renew trust in politics. It finds that Australians say the most important factors influencing who they vote for are which party or candidate has a plan to address Australia’s long-term issues, and the integrity and accountability of parties or candidates.

The Australia-European Union Security and Defence Partnership was signed on 24 March 2026. The partnership represents a significant step in EU–Australia relations, elevating cooperation beyond its traditional focus on trade and investment. This explainer describes what the partnership entails and highlights what it needs to become successful and impactful.