policy matters /stretton/ en With democracy under threat in Narendra Modi’s India, how free and fair will this year’s election be? /stretton/news/list/2024/04/16/with-democracy-under-threat-in-narendra-modis-india-how-free-and-fair-will India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is favoured to win reelection when India’s 970 million voters start heading to the polls on April 19 in the country’s massive, six-week general election. April 16 2024 Dan McCafferty /stretton/news/list/2024/04/16/with-democracy-under-threat-in-narendra-modis-india-how-free-and-fair-will Australia’s ranking in global anti-corruption index remains steady – but shows we cannot be complacent /stretton/news/list/2024/01/31/australias-ranking-in-global-anti-corruption-index-remains-steady-but-shows-we Successfully tackling corruption is more than catching greedy public servants and politicians, miscreants and manipulators. It involves government at the highest level advancing a culture of integrity and setting up institutions that celebrate and facilitate good governance – in addition to catching the bad guys. January 31 2024 admin /stretton/news/list/2024/01/31/australias-ranking-in-global-anti-corruption-index-remains-steady-but-shows-we A global battle for low-skilled workers looms after COVID. Australia needs to be part of it /stretton/news/list/2021/10/21/a-global-battle-for-low-skilled-workers-looms-after-covid-australia-needs-to-0 Australia has been built on immigration. In recent years it has been skilled migration, and that will continue to be important to us, especially as we recover from the COVID economic malaise. August 18 2023 Sarah Cervone /stretton/news/list/2021/10/21/a-global-battle-for-low-skilled-workers-looms-after-covid-australia-needs-to-0 ‘Grave misconduct’: Gladys Berejiklian corruption report should put all public officials on notice /stretton/news/list/2023/07/04/grave-misconduct-gladys-berejiklian-corruption-report-should-put-all-public When an anti-corruption agency issues a 688-page report with findings a former premier engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” and breached the public’s trust, it puts all public officials on notice. June 29 2023 Dan McCafferty /stretton/news/list/2023/07/04/grave-misconduct-gladys-berejiklian-corruption-report-should-put-all-public After a decade of decline, Australia is back on the rise in a global anti-corruption ranking /stretton/news/list/2023/06/26/after-a-decade-of-decline-australia-is-back-on-the-rise-in-a-global-anti Just months after Australia legislated to establish the long-anticipated National Anti-Corruption Agency, our standing is back on the rise in Transparency International’s annual Global Corruption Perceptions Index . This is a small but important turn-around following a decade of steady decline. January 31 2023 Dan McCafferty /stretton/news/list/2023/06/26/after-a-decade-of-decline-australia-is-back-on-the-rise-in-a-global-anti The Robodebt scheme failed tests of lawfulness, impartiality, integrity and trust /stretton/news/list/2023/06/26/the-robodebt-scheme-failed-tests-of-lawfulness-impartiality-integrity-and The Robodebt royal commission is currently hearing evidence of tremendous hardship inflicted on people by a government that appeared to have little concern for the people its actions affected. November 03 2022 Dan McCafferty /stretton/news/list/2023/06/26/the-robodebt-scheme-failed-tests-of-lawfulness-impartiality-integrity-and ‘We felt like we’re nothing’: increasing voting among Australians experiencing homelessness /stretton/news/list/2023/08/18/we-felt-like-were-nothing-increasing-voting-among-australians-experiencing At every federal election, there is a moment when election-watchers turn their attention to the seat of Eden-Monaro in New South Wales. Between 1972 and 2013, the party that formed government won Eden-Monaro. August 02 2022 Sarah Cervone /stretton/news/list/2023/08/18/we-felt-like-were-nothing-increasing-voting-among-australians-experiencing Australians are tired of lies in political advertising. Here’s how it can be fixed /stretton/news/list/2023/08/18/australians-are-tired-of-lies-in-political-advertising-heres-how-it-can-be Our voting choices are only authentic if our decisions are informed by truthful information. That condition is now increasingly elusive. August 01 2022 Sarah Cervone /stretton/news/list/2023/08/18/australians-are-tired-of-lies-in-political-advertising-heres-how-it-can-be Australia and New Zealand have a golden opportunity to build stronger ties in the Pacific – but will they take it? /stretton/news/list/2023/08/16/australia-and-new-zealand-have-a-golden-opportunity-to-build-stronger-ties-in The Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting hosted by Fiji last week was the first to be held in person since 2019. Following a particularly challenging period, it was an opportunity for leaders to reconnect and agree to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. July 20 2022 Sarah Cervone /stretton/news/list/2023/08/16/australia-and-new-zealand-have-a-golden-opportunity-to-build-stronger-ties-in Grape growers are adapting to climate shifts early - and their knowledge can help other farmers /stretton/news/list/2022/06/24/grape-growers-are-adapting-to-climate-shifts-early-and-their-knowledge-can It’s commonly assumed Australia’s farmers and cities are divided over climate issues. This is not true. After all, farmers are on the front line and face the realities of our shifting climate on a daily basis. June 24 2022 admin /stretton/news/list/2022/06/24/grape-growers-are-adapting-to-climate-shifts-early-and-their-knowledge-can