As Phelps looks likely to take Wentworth, Australia faces another hung parliament

Editor's note

In one of the more dramatic byelections in recent political history, independent Kerryn Phelps looked to have won the seat comfortably on Saturday night, only to see the margin reduced significantly by Sunday morning. But by Sunday night, she again looked the likely winner, which would send the Coalition into minority government and, as Anne Twomey writes, make governing more difficult.

In any event, there are serious lessons in the result for the Coalition. Michelle Grattan writes, there will now be increased pressure to end the ongoing inhumanity to asylum seekers on Nauru, for the Coalition to do more on climate change, and for the constant leadership instability to be laid to rest (memo: the Nationals).

And on another matter, today Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make a national apology to victims of institutional child sexual abuse, following the at-times harrowing testimony that emerged from the Royal Commission. And as Daryl Higgins writes, it is not a hollow gesture – it is important for the nation to acknowledge the immense hurt caused to many people over many years.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Top story

A minority government is still possible to manage, but will make Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s job that bit tougher. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Explainer: what is a hung parliament and how would it affect the passage of legislation?

Anne Twomey, University of Sydney

A minority government would not mean the government would fall - but it would make governing more difficult.

In today’s apology, survivors of institutional child sexual abuse will receive formal acknowledgment of the systems that failed them and the harm done to them. Shutterstock

The national apology to victims of institutional child sexual abuse matters. Here’s why

Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University

Today's apology is of great significance, not just to survivors but the whole country. Now political and institutional leaders need to tell us what changes will be made to ensure it never happens again.

Health + Medicine
The five stages of grief don’t come in fixed steps – everyone feels differently Nick Haslam, University of Melbourne The process of grieving can happen in stages. But these stages are rarely experienced in the same way by one bereaved person and another.

Cities
Turning ‘big brother’ surveillance into a helping hand to the homeless Andrew Clarke, The University of Queensland; Cameron Parsell, The University of Queensland Surveillance often results in people who are homeless being the target of enforcement measures. But a new study in Cairns shows surveillance can also be used to achieve more positive social outcomes.

Science + Technology

Some cybersecurity apps could be worse for privacy than nothing at all

Suranga Seneviratne, University of Sydney

Before you download antivirus and ad-blocker apps, do your due diligence on what personal information they want to access. Here are some tips on what to look out for.
When Thailand and Australia were closer neighbours, tectonically speaking

Alan Collins, University of Adelaide; Romana Dew, University of Adelaide

Australia's slowly heading north to one day become part of Asia, but a study of the rocks tell us that's not the first time there's been a connection.

Environment + Energy

Climate change: Nauru’s life on the frontlines

Anja Kanngieser, University of Wollongong

Nauru is best known as a site of Australian offshore asylum detention. But everyone on the island - not just refugees - is struggling with the issue of environmental change that threatens their lives and homes.
Australia’s native rhododendrons hide in the high mountain forests

Stuart Worboys, James Cook University

European settlers suspected Australia's high tropical forests hid native rhododendrons.
Dingo dinners: what’s on the menu for Australia’s top predator?

Tim Doherty, Deakin University; Chris Dickman, University of Sydney; Dale Nimmo, Charles Sturt University; Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Thomas Newsome, University of Sydney

A survey of 32,000 samples of dingo droppings and stomach contents reveal that this predator's appetite is as wide-ranging as Australia's landscapes. But medium and large mammals are top of the menu.
Bioenergy carbon capture: climate snake oil or the 1.5-degree panacea?

Paul Behrens, Leiden University

Delays on climate action to reduce emissions means that we may have to consider technologies that strip carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But that will come at a cost.

Arts + Culture

David Goldblatt’s kind, calm photographs of South Africa exist in a morality minefield

Prudence Gibson, UNSW; Emma Crott, UNSW

In a contemporary culture that is saturated with images of death, homelessness and war, it is perhaps the quiet stillness of David Goldblatt’s photographs that make them a little unnerving.
William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance is surprising, amusing, but precise

Jana Perkovic, University of Melbourne

However jagged, industrial and shapeless an evening of Forsythe choreography may seem to an eye used to Swan Lake, it is always grounded in ballet.

FactCheck
FactCheck: is the Coalition spending ‘$1 billion extra, every year’ on aged care? Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the Coalition’s spending on aged care as preparations for a Royal Commission into the sector get underway. We asked the experts to crunch the numbers.

Politics + Society

View from The Hill: Wentworth mightn’t be typical but it’s the shrill canary in the mine

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Morrison remains wedged between his Liberal right wing ideologues and mainstream voters. The right claims to speak for the “mainstream” on climate (and other things) but it doesn't.
Phelps consolidates her lead in Wentworth after nail biting day

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

While the government currently has pledges of confidence from some crossbenchers, they would be in a strong position to demand concessions in a hung parliament.
Explainer: what is a hung parliament and how would it affect the passage of legislation?

Anne Twomey, University of Sydney

A minority government would not mean the government would fall - but it would make governing more difficult.
Wentworth byelection called too early for Phelps as Liberals recover in late counting

Adrian Beaumont, University of Melbourne

After election night reports of a thumping win in by independent Kerryn Phelps, the Liberals have recovered significantly in postal votes - so much so, the result is now uncertain.A
Liberals trounced in huge Wentworth swing, bringing a hung parliament

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The trouncing in Wentworth will re-open fractures in the government, threatening more damaging in-fighting between the party's conservatives and moderates.
One year on for Ardern’s coalition government in New Zealand

Richard Shaw, Massey University

One year since Jacinda Ardern became prime minister, New Zealanders are refamiliarising themselves with the idea that the state can be a force for good.
VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on Morrison’s pitch for the Jewish vote in Wentworth

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Michelle Grattan discusses the week in Australian politics with Nick Klomp.
Pacific nations aren’t cash-hungry, minister, they just want action on climate change

Katerina Teaiwa, Australian National University

At a time when the future of many Pacific islands is under threat, a little compassion is in order, not barbs at their expense.

Business + Economy
With a billion reasons not to trust super trustees, we need regulators to act in the public interest Samantha Hepburn, Deakin University We rightly expect trustees of superannuation funds to do their jobs. Much stronger behavioural controls and civil penalties are needed to ensure they do.