Editor's note

Tomorrow, it will be one year since Malcolm Turnbull was rolled as prime minister and – after some extraordinary internal wrangling – the Liberal Party elected Scott Morrison as its leader. With a largely unexpected election victory under his belt, how is Morrison faring as prime minister? So far, Michelle Grattan writes, his position appears to be strong: his leadership is authoritative and he has few constraints. Perhaps more noticeably, there is no sign of the internal trouble-making or restless aspirants that characterised Turnbull’s time at the helm.

Morrison takes a practical approach to government. In this first year of his prime ministership, he has built an inner circle of trusted colleagues around himself and taken “deep dives” on policy issues including recycling, youth suicide, veterans’ mental health, NDIS, water and aged care.

This is not to say his leadership is without its challenges. There’s the increasingly difficult relationship with China to manage, he has the mixed blessing of being lionised by Donald Trump, and there are worries the economy might be about to head south. While Morrison has governed with few major ructions, these pressure points will test him in the coming months – and it’s still a long time until the next election.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Top stories

Can Scott Morrison maintain the image of separation from the Canberra elite, given he’s its most powerful member? AAP/The Conversation

Grattan on Friday: Courting ‘quiet Australians’ from ‘bubble central’, it’s been a remarkable first year for Scott Morrison

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

After 12 months as prime minister, Morrison looks the strong leader, clearly in charge, with few constraints. But will he make a substantial entry in the history book of Australian prime ministers?

Tim Fischer aboard a one-off passenger train last month to raise money for the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre trust fund. Sally Evans/ Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund

Tim Fischer – a man of courage and loyalty – dies from cancer

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Tim Fischer leaves behind a political and personal legacy. He defied sceptics, managed his troops, and the support he provided to John Howard was crucial in achieving gun control.

Protesters holding umbrellas amid heavy rain march in an anti-government rally in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. AAP/EPA/VIVEK PRAKASH

Trust Me, I’m An Expert: Why the Hong Kong protesters feel they have nothing to lose

Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation; Justin Bergman, The Conversation

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has indicated she's open to dialogue. But unless she meets the demonstrators' demands, the protest movement isn't going to end anytime soon.

Plant extinctions have skyrocketed, driven in large part by land clearing and climate change. Graphic Node/Unsplash

Plants are going extinct up to 350 times faster than the historical norm

Jaco Le Roux, Macquarie University; Florencia Yanelli, Stellenbosch University; Heidi Hirsch, Stellenbosch University; José María Iriondo Alegría, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; Marcel Rejmánek, University of California, Davis; Maria Loreto Castillo, Stellenbosch University

Human-driven land clearing and climate change are sending plants extinct at a rapid rate, risking a devastating biodiversity crash.

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