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Gender parity closer after federal election but “sufficiently assertive” Liberal women are still outnumbered two to one

by Skye Predavec and Bill Browne

Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 federal election, what does it mean for the representation of women in Australian parliaments? In short, there has been a significant improvement at the national level. When we last wrote on this topic, the Australian Senate was majority female but only 40% of House of Representatives

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Coal Mine Tracker

Since May 2022, the Federal Environment Minister has approved 11 new coal mines or expansions.

There are 29 additional proposals for new or expanded coal mines currently waiting for Federal Government approval.

If approved, the lifetime emissions from all 40 projects would be equivalent to keeping all of Australia’s coal-fired power stations operating for an additional 100 years.

×100 years

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Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on social media, but Iran and Israel have not yet come to the table. "Some kind of a ceasefire has to be brokered and monitored. And I think that the role of the international community here will become very important," "This is not, at heart a security issue at heart. It is a power issue, and it is the power of the United States, the power of Iran, and the power of Israel. And until the leaders of those three countries are prepared to say, 'we're transforming this into a security negotiation, not a power contest', nothing can be done." Allan Behm on CNA. Get our latest analysis sent to you via our fortnightly newsletter! 📧 https://theaus.in/newsletter_signup Help us make more videos like this by becoming a supporter: ❤️ https://theaus.in/donateYT
Mixed Messages on Israel-Iran Ceasefire | Allan Behm on CNA
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Mixed Messages on Israel-Iran Ceasefire | Allan Behm on CNA

It’s never about regime change (until it is). On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, the comparisons with America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, and what this decision could mean for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Monday 23 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition (https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aukus_parliamentary_inquiry_now) calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation (https://events.humanitix.com/rethinking-the-rules-mel) about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal (https://theaus.in/EOFY2025AA) today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis (https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social) Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB (https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social) Show notes: As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/23/as-the-us-chooses-destruction-over-diplomacy-in-iran-australia-has-to-decide-between-principle-and-prostration) by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?
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Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?

We're now in a position where we are relying on Iranian restraint...That's why these attacks were always incredibly risky and unnecessary," said Dr Emma Shortis, Director of the Australia Institute's International & Security Affairs Program. "If that regime feels cornered and feels like it has no choice, then of course it's going to respond. That was always the danger." Get our latest analysis sent to you via our fortnightly newsletter! 📧 https://theaus.in/newsletter_signup Help us make more videos like this by becoming a supporter: ❤️ https://theaus.in/donateYT
The US Bombs Iran: Australia's Response | Emma Shortis
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The US Bombs Iran: Australia's Response | Emma Shortis

Nature is priceless. It’s Monty Pythonesque to think that pricing nature will stop extinctions or protect the planet. On this episode of Big Ideas, former senator Bob Brown joins Paul Barclay to discuss the ‘price of extinction’, how monetising the environment won’t save it, the corporate capture of democracy and the failure of the major parties to truly protect the environment. This discussion was recorded on 5 February 2025 and things may have changed since the recording. Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/whats-the-big-idea)  now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Bob Brown, Co-Founder, Bob Brown Foundation // @BobBrownFndn (https://x.com/BobBrownFndn) Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay (https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay) Show notes: Shorting the Environment (https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/shorting-the-environment/)  by Polly Hemming, Rod Campbell and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (September 2022) Carbon credits no excuse for NSW Government to stall on saving koalas (https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/carbon-credits-no-excuse-for-nsw-government-to-stall-on-saving-koalas/) , the Australia Institute (April 2024) “Nature Positive” summit can’t conceal nature negative policies (https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/nature-positive-summit-cant-conceal-nature-negative-policies/) , the Australia Institute (October 2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Support What's the Big Idea?: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Can you put a price on nature?
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Can you put a price on nature?

Australian political leaders have bent the knee at the altar of American global leadership for decades, placing the ANZUS treaty at the centre of the nation’s security. AUKUS has become the latest symbol of strategic solidarity. For Australia’s governments, of whatever political persuasion, America continues to define the global rules-based order. Now that the American people have elected Donald Trump as the forty-seventh president, how will his presidency affect Australia’s foreign policy, trade, climate action and approach to human rights? More importantly, will Australia be able to act in its own interests, or will it simply defer to Trump’s idea of America? Dr Emma Shortis draws on her long-standing research on America’s place in the world, her discussions with some of Australia’s most prominent policy-makers and commentators and her experience in America in the final days of the election campaign, to develop a picture of how the world is changing with a second Trump presidency and what choices Australia has in determining its own future. Help fund research changing Australia for the better: ❤️ https://theaus.in/support_EOFY25
After America with Emma Shortis | Australia's Biggest Book Club
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After America with Emma Shortis | Australia's Biggest Book Club

Australia’s overly generous approach to taxing wealth is allowing the richest Australians to keep more for themselves. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Australia’s growing wealth gap, what Australians think about the government’s proposed superannuation tax changes, and what the escalating conflict in the Middle East means for the global economy. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 18 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal (https://theaus.in/EOFY2025DS) today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut (https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social) Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek (https://bsky.app/profile/elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social) Show notes: Wealthy Australians are worried we might realise how rigged the system is in their favour (https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2025/jun/12/wealthy-australians-are-worried-we-might-realise-how-rigged-the-system-is-in-their-favour) by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2025) Polling – Superannuation (https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-superannuation/) , the Australia Institute (June 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
The rich are getting richer
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The rich are getting richer

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