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Redressing inequality is not the same as treating everyone the same: this, writes Carol Johnson, is the fundamental issue at the heart of the Liberal Party’s ongoing “women problem".
The Coalition’s one-size-fits-all approach to inequality worked very effectively in its campaign to sink the Voice to Parliament referendum. The underlying argument was that we are all the same and no-one should get “special” treatment.
But this approach, Johnson argues, fails to recognise the structural inequalities that no amount of being treated “the same” will remedy. That’s why the Coalition’s plan to restrict working from home was so disastrous it had to be scrapped – the party simply does not understand the structural reasons why the policy would affect women more than men. And it’s a key reason the Liberal Party has been losing the female vote for some time.
On the subject of gender issues, the Coalition last night announced $90 million to tackle family and domestic violence. Follow our coverage later today for expert analysis of the policy.
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Amanda Dunn
Politics + Society Editor
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Carol Johnson, University of Adelaide
The Liberal Party’s idea of equality means treating everyone the same, rather than addressing structures loaded against women. It’s doing the party enormous damage.
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Peter Layton, Griffith University
The Coalition’s long-awaited defence plan is a ‘steady-as-she-goes’ approach in a world of increasing volatility.
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Richard Dunley, UNSW Sydney; Miranda Booth, UNSW Sydney; Tristan Moss, UNSW Sydney
The major parties have made defence a central part of their election campaigns. A new survey suggests, however, this is not cutting through with the public.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
A re-elected Albanese government will take the unprecedented step of buying or obtaining options over key critical minerals to protect Australia’s national interest.
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Liz Hicks, The University of Melbourne; Ashleigh Best, The University of Melbourne
The culling of 700 starving koalas in Victoria has triggered outrage. There has to be a better way to respond after bushfire.
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Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Australian Catholic University
For centuries, the role has gone to a member of the College of Cardinals – and almost always to an Italian. Might we soon have our first pope from Asia or Africa?
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Benjamin Scrivener, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Functional neurological disorder can be hard to distinguish from other conditions. Some patients feel misunderstood and their symptoms dismissed.
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Nick Haslam, The University of Melbourne
The Let Them world is far removed from the interconnected reality of social life, writes Nick Haslam. But books such as this may be useful.
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Intifar Chowdhury, Flinders University
Young voters will decide who makes up Australia’s next government. Here’s how they might vote.
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Narelle Miragliotta, Murdoch University
The Greens will be defending a record four lower house seats at the election. Here are their chances in another five seats they are targeting across the country.
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Simone McCarthy, Deakin University; Hannah Pitt, Deakin University; Samantha Thomas, Deakin University
Gambling companies are following a well-worn playbook, one mastered by the tobacco industry: trying to influence women.
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Christopher Laurikainen Gaete, University of Wollongong; Anthony Dosseto, University of Wollongong; Lee Arnold, University of Wollongong; Scott Hocknull, The University of Melbourne
Australia’s giant Protemnodon kangaroos didn’t die out everywhere at the same time. Instead, extinction proceeded one habitat at a time.
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Garritt C. Van Dyk, University of Waikato
The Anzac biscuit is a cultural icon, invented after the first world war. But women still provided necessities and small comforts to the ANZACs.
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Edward Yiu, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; William Cheung, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Renters who receive the accomodation supplement end up paying more for housing than those who don’t. But mortgage support offers better value for taxpayers.
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Politics + Society
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Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne
In January, the governing Liberals were more than 20 points behind in the polls, but with an election just days away, they’re now well ahead.
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Charles Livingstone, Monash University
‘Responsible gambling’ depicts gambling harm as an issue for a small minority of people: so-called problem gamblers.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
From handling town hall hecklers to swaying voters through podcasts and online algorithms, Australian election campaigns have transformed in recent generations.
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Health + Medicine
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Siobhan O'Dean, University of Sydney; Elizabeth Summerell, University of Adelaide; Tom Denson, UNSW Sydney
Nearly one-quarter of us feel angry on any given day. Here’s how mindfulness could help.
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Science + Technology
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Gabriele Gratton, UNSW Sydney
Game theory shows why political parties may gravitate to the centre in the quest for the median voter.
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Campbell Rider, University of Sydney
Looking at the history of ‘biosignature’ discoveries shows why they can be problematic.
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Environment + Energy
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Tom Logan, University of Canterbury
Adaptive planning doesn’t mean people have to abandon coastal towns. It is about having a roadmap with multiple options to adjust as climate conditions evolve.
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Kelly Kirkland, The University of Queensland; Abby Robinson, The University of Melbourne; Amy S G Lee, The University of Melbourne; Samantha Stanley, UNSW Sydney; Zoe Leviston, Australian National University
Most Australians are still able to be convinced on climate change. As climate action drops off the radar, that’s good news
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Education
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Penny Van Bergen, Macquarie University; Anne McMaugh, Macquarie University; Kay Bussey, Macquarie University; Naomi Sweller, Macquarie University; Rebecca Andrews, Macquarie University
If you have a child born at the start of the year, chances are you face a tricky decision about when to start school.
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