By Xiujian Peng, Senior Research Fellow, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University
James Giesecke, Professor, Centre of Policy Studies and the Impact Project, Victoria University
China’s latest national accounts show the economy grew by about 5% through 2025 and into the first quarter of 2026, pointing to resilience despite ongoing trade tensions.
But the underlying picture is weaker: growth slowed last year and, while it has stabilised, it remains below pre-COVID levels.
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By Martin Kear, Lecturer, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney
The Israeli prime minister is using the ‘Gaza playbook’ to decimate southern Lebanon, but it won’t eliminate the threat from the militant group.
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By Luke Beck, Professor of Constitutional Law, Monash University
Doctors have often threatened legal action over health policy in Australia. But there is nothing in the Constitution to stop the government capping specialist fees.
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By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
In his first term, Anthony Albanese was highly reluctant to break promises, but like we learned with stage 3 tax cuts, not immune to breaking them.
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By Rahul Sen, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics and Finance, Auckland University of Technology
Punishing penalties for not meeting investment targets? A ‘tsunami’ of Indian migrants? The full agreement suggests the deal is not that dangerous.
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By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
In both the Redbridge and Freshwater polls, Anthony Albanese’s net favourability has jumped eight points since late March to -9. In Redbridge, the Coalition rebounded from a low of 17% in March to 22%.
The Liberals have easily held the Victorian state seat of Nepean at a byelection on Saturday. In Tasmanian upper house elections also on Saturday, a left-wing independent is likely to gain the seat of Huon from a conservative independent.
Redbridge poll
A national Redbridge…
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By Jane Rawson, PhD Candidate, Creative Writing, University of Tasmania
Romy Ash’s second novel, Mantle, asks what would happen if a pathogen made us wake up to ourselves – and change course.
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By Sacchi Shin-Clayton, PhD Candidate, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Jacqueline R Beggs, Professor, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The same busy foraging that makes bees vital pollinators could also turn them into Trojan horses for a serious fungal disease threatening native forests.
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By Adam Andreotta, Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University
Artificial intelligence (AI) road safety cameras have been rolling out across Australia, resulting in a large number of fines.
For example, roughly 184,000 infringements have been issued in Western Australia since the cameras were launched in October last year. In New South Wales, more than…
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By Ryosuke Hanada, PhD Candidate, Japanese Foreign and Security Policy, Macquarie University
Adam Lockyer, Associate Professor in Strategic Studies, Macquarie University
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Australia this week comes against a turbulent geopolitical backdrop. The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran – and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz – have put energy issues at the top of the agenda.
The war has also weakened the United States’ strategic position in the Indo-Pacific. The US has had to divert crucial assets from the region to the Middle East, such as…
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