It's possible that foreign aid might do a better job at buying influence and deterring aggression than spending $12 billion on new jet fighters, writes Adam Lockyer.
The key problem facing Labor leader Bill Shorten is one he has in common with every past leader: remaining true to Labor values, while adapting them to a changing Australia, writes Mark Rolfe.
While Senator Conroy's comments to Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell were offensive, what is more significant is the context that forced a distinguished military commander into a politically charged exchange in the first place, writes Gavin Mount.
The Abbott government is lining itself up as a purist in the neoclassical economics camp and business and the unemployed alike won't be spared, writes Lindy Edwards.
The business community may try to get as much out of Tony Abbott as possible, but do they recognise the clear differences between a CEO and a prime minister, asks Mark Rolfe.
Both major parties have approached the complexities of NSW with piecemeal policies in constrained circumstances. Neither has an industry policy, argues Mark Rolfe.
As Rudd's popular support has dived over the past month, he's demonstrated he doesn't understand the importance of ideology in a democracy, writes Lindy Edwards.
Minority parties are good for our democracy, because parties forced into coalition do deals in the open. Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd are kidding themselves in their stand against them, argues Lindy Edwards.
