A Senate committee is discussing a bill designed to shore up the independence of the Australian Research Council, after recent high-profile cases of ministers vetoing research grants.
New research shows policy referendums have been far more frequent at the state and territory level and demonstrates the enduring appeal of giving the public a say on the big issues.
For the first time since World War II, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has employed force to appropriate territory of another UN Member State.
