John Howard made unexpected concessions last week to avert a backbench revolt in parliament. But why is crossing the floor seen as such a major step? Paul Rodan looks at the precedents.

Although Australia’s migration policies have evolved, Klaus Neumann finds some important parallels in three high-profile cases.

A commitment to openness would affirm democratic values and principles, write Rebecca LaForgia and Bryan Mercurio.

Is the federal government interested in efficiency or ideology, asks John Edwards.

The budget is not convincing enough to advance the treasurer’s ambitions, according to John Edwards.