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Analysis & Opinion

  • The myth of two Malcolm Frasers

    Malcolm Fraser at the Dispatch Boxes during Question Time in 1979.
    The Drum
    By Paula Matthewson

    Posted March 20, 2015 16:43:06

    Contrary to popular opinion, Malcolm Fraser's politics never changed - he was a lefty on social issues and staunchly right-wing on economic matters.

    Such a combination should not be a relic of the past to be wistfully remembered, but a feature of today's politics.

    The sadness of Fraser's death is magnified by his loss as a role model for modern Liberal progressives.

    Topics: liberals, government-and-politics

  1. Fraser and his team provided the stability people had yearned for.

    Conviction politician

    By Chris Earl

    Malcolm Fraser should be remembered as a conviction politician who returned Australia to stability after the Whitlam chaos. His strong hand of leadership served the nation well.

  2. Malcolm Fraser

    Fraser's top achievements

    The Drum

    From the creation of SBS to his acceptance of Vietnamese refugees, Malcolm Fraser put his stamp on the nation during his term as PM. Following his death at age 84 we take stock of some of his greatest achievements as prime minister.

  3. To reap the benefits of science, society needs patience.

    We need stability

    By Brian Schmidt

    Funding uncertainty makes it much harder for Australia to attract and retain research talent. One story of a disappearing job very nearly put me off ever coming to this beautiful country.

  4. Tunisian security forces secure Bardo Museum

    Tunisia beaten, not broken

    By Leila Ben Mcharek

    The deadly attack in Tunisia appears to be a reaction by Islamist extremists to the country's peaceful move to democracy after the Arab Spring. But if they are trying to tear down the new order then they're failing.

  5. Prime Minister Tony Abbott

    Breathtaking shift

    By Barrie Cassidy

    The Prime Minister signalled a new approach to economic management this week that will have an enormous impact on how the Government is regarded by business and economists.

  6. Masa Vukotic, 17, was walking in a reserve in Doncaster when she was fatally attacked.

    Violence fallacies

    By Lauren Rosewarne

    After the murder of teenager Masa Vukotic, a police officer suggested women shouldn't be alone in parks. Once again women were being told the onus was on them to adjust their behaviour.

  7. There is a strong argument to be made for tightening eligibility for the age pension.

    Pension reform

    By Matthew Taylor

    If Scott Morrison is willing to grasp the nettle of pension reform, he would be better off looking at ways to move those with greater means off the payment altogether - that's where the real savings are.

  8. An Iranian woman crosses a street in front of a huge mural painting depicting Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    Undermining negotiations

    By Rodger Shanahan

    US senators' open letter to the Iranian leadership over nuclear negotiations reveals breathtaking hubris and reminds us that not all dangerous ideologues reside in the Middle East.

  9. Paul Keating and Bob Hawke

    The next great reform

    By Jonathan Green

    Australia's next great reforms will be of this stagnant polity itself, hopefully delivering politics that frees ideas from the camouflage of endless deflecting rhetoric. But who do we have to lead this change?

  10. Aboriginal people

    Close gaps, not communities

    By Mick Gooda and Kirstie Parker

    The decisions made about remote communities are damaging and a breach of inherent rights. On Close the Gap Day we urge the Government to re-engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  11. Starbucks

    Starbucks solves racism

    By Ben Pobjie

    It's heart-warming to see Starbucks has solved racism by getting its baristas to talk about race with customers - but why end there? Here's five other hot topics that should be discussed over a caramel macchiato.

  12. Joe Hockey

    Super solution to pensions

    By Alan Kohler

    Rather than cutting pensions, the Government should look at where super funds are investing our billions. An overhaul in this area could help both retirees and the budget.

The Drum Columnists

  1. Another (un)helpful trade deal

    Most free trade agreements deliver little in the way of benefits, but the highly secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership has the potential for real harm in Australia.

    By ABC's Ian Verrender

  2. The new Mr Right?

    Malcolm Turnbull has been eking out his leadership manifesto recently, and much of his efforts seem aimed at boosting his conservative credentials.

    By Paula Matthewson

  3. Abbott's poor way with words

    Between Tony Abbott's ill-chosen words and Joe Hockey's thought bubbles, the Government is throwing away opportunities for the sensible public discussions it needs to be having.

    By ABC's Barrie Cassidy

  4. Two sides to Abbott

    Tony Abbott seems torn between a sense of the injustice done to Indigenous people, and an awareness of the political gain of playing to the prejudices of a vocal extremity.

    By ABC's Jonathan Green

Recent Contributors

  1. Death penalty debate

    Whichever way you look at it, capital punishment raises questions with no easy answers and we ought not shout each other's viewpoints down.

    By Michael Bradley

  2. AFL still dogged by Essendon

    The AFL was rolling out a continuous stream of good news stories that were getting the fans genuinely excited for another year of footy. Then Essendon happened. Again.

    By Nick Holland

  3. Perpetrator and victim

    Jake Bilardi's journey to Islamic State was the outcome of the profound alienation common in youth, combined with the potency of extremist Islamic ideology. In this battle of ideas we can surely prevail.

    By Tim Mayfield

  4. How can Clarkson get fired?

    I feel for Jeremy Clarkson. Despite years of casual sexism, racism and homophobia, he just can't seem to free himself. Here's what this poor man will have to do to get fired.

    By Ben Pobjie

Business Analysis

  1. Another (un)helpful trade deal

    Most free trade agreements deliver little in the way of benefits, but the Trans-Pacific Partnership has the potential for real harm in Australia, writes Ian Verrender.

  2. Confronting change

    Economists want us to embrace technology and prosper from it, so where are the forward-thinking policies? Jim Chalmers writes.

  3. Convenient forecasts

    Most voters in 2055 will be over 50 and will have a huge influence on future policies, but the IGR doesn't take that into account, writes Simon Cowan.

  4. Ideas, not politics

    Politicians take note: people just want an honest conversation about the Intergenerational Report and what it means for their grandchildren, writes Emily Millane.

You Said It

Video

  • Government splits higher ed bill

    The Federal Government moves to allow universities to set their own fees without tying the change to a 20 per cent cut in federal funding. [Herald Sun]

  • Aussie jihad teens

    Jihadist teens from Australian suburbs raise questions about counter-radicalisation effectiveness. [7.30]

  • Cousins in 'mental health clinic'

    Former AFL star and Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins is reportedly in a mental health facility. [The Age]

  • Bangladesh joy after win

    Bangladesh erupts with joy after defeating England by 15 runs in the Cricket World Cup. [Herald Sun]

Your Photos

Lovely day for a sail

The Lady Nelson sets sail at the mouth of the River Derwent, Tasmania, March 13, 2015.

Audience submitted: Dallas Stott

Latest Episode

  1. The Drum, Friday March 20 Video

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Hot Topic

  1. Reactions to the death of Malcolm Fraser Video

    Australia's 22nd Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, has died at the age at the age of 84. He's been remembered as "a great moral compass" and "a giant of Australian politics".

The Report

  1. Why do some parents refuse to vaccinate their children? Video

    A measles outbreak in the US has infected more than 170 people - despite the virus being absent from the US for more than a decade. Australia was declared measles-free just last year but in some areas, our vaccination rates have sunk lower than 50 per cent.

The Interview

  1. The Drum talks with Malcolm Fraser's former chief-of-staff Video

    Julia Baird talks with Malcolm Fraser's former chief-of-staff Dale Budd.

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  1. The housing truth

    It's still a truth, even if not universally acknowledged, that trying to buy a home closer to the city is getting harder than ever, writes John Daley. [Guardian]

  2. Well-drawn views

    Take a look at the political stories of the month through the eyes of Fairfax cartoonists. [SMH]

  3. Western inaction and IS

    Is there a case to argue that Western inaction over Syria actually helped spark the rise of Islamic State? John Aziz writes. [Pieria]

  4. Europe's own army?

    The prospect of Europe forming its own army has again been raised, and while it's not feasible now that's not to say it won't ever happen, writes Daniel Woker. [The Interpreter]

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