Country voters may be decide NSW's fate

Editor's note

It may come as news to many people living in New South Wales, but there is a state election to be held on March 23, writes University of Wollongong Professor Gregory Melleuish. Although the seemingly big issues we read about in the paper, like the demolition of the Allianz stadium, may matter to city folk, they have no bearing on the lives of those in the bush. And their issues, as well as their voice, seem to have fallen by the wayside. Professor Melleuish argues there’s a risk the Nationals will lose too many seats to Independents, putting an end to the eight-year streak of a majority Coalition government.

And more than 300 scientists have petitioned state and federal governments to strengthen land clearing laws. Martine Maron and her colleagues argue rampant tree removals in recent years have made life tougher, rather than easier, for farmers by worsening bushfire risks and damaging ecosystems.

Sasha Petrova

Deputy Editor, Politics & Society

Top story

Country voters may be deciding the fate of NSW in the upcoming election. Dean Lewins/AAP

Low-key NSW election likely to reveal a city-country divide

Gregory Melleuish, University of Wollongong

In 2019, the expectation is that the National Party will lose many seats and put the NSW Coalition government majority at risk.

Pets are a common sight in places like cafes overseas, but are generally unwelcome in many public places in Australia. Anastasiya Lobanovskaya/Pexels

Australians love their pets, so why don’t more public places welcome them?

Louise Grimmer, University of Tasmania; Gary Mortimer, Queensland University of Technology

Pets are not welcome in many public places. As we increasingly choose high-density living, city planning and legislation should address creating opportunities for more human-animal interaction.

Without significant tree cover, dry and dusty landscapes can result. Don Driscoll

To reduce fire risk and meet climate targets, over 300 scientists call for stronger land clearing laws

Martine Maron, The University of Queensland; Andrea Griffin, University of Newcastle; April Reside, The University of Queensland; Bill Laurance, James Cook University; Don Driscoll, Deakin University; Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Steve Turton, CQUniversity Australia

A new petition is urging state and federal governments to rein in Australia's rampant land clearing, which worsens the risk of bushfires and threatens to undo the work of the Emissions Reduction Fund.

Business + Economy

The Game of Homes: how the vested interests lie about negative gearing

Cameron Murray, The University of Queensland

When vested interests are attacked they create myths and battle plans. It's the surest sign you are on the right track.
Backlash and gender fatigue. Why progress on gender equality has slowed

Sue Williamson, UNSW

Progress on gender equity is harder to achieve, in part because of a belief on the part of some men that women have come too far too soon.
Why women in economics have little to celebrate

Duygu Yengin, University of Adelaide

Fewer girls study economics today than 25 years ago, perhaps because they have become aware of the barriers to progress.

Health + Medicine
Health check: is moderate drinking good for me? Hassan Vally, La Trobe University Evidence that people who drink moderately are healthier is probably influenced by many other health and lifestyle factors. We're now seeing that even modest amounts of alcohol could impact our health.

Science + Technology

How birds become male or female, and occasionally both

Jenny Graves, La Trobe University

Birds can control the gender of offspring, and even produce rare half-male, half-females. And their genes and chromosomes are quite different from ours.
Welcome Asterix, Obelix and Yoda! Finding fun in the serious matter of discovering insects

Nick Porch, Deakin University

Champagne celebrations with a new species discovery for beetle scientists may not be the best move – you'd be drunk all the time. But it's still important work.

Arts + Culture

Janet Laurence: After Nature sounds an exquisite warning bell for extinction

Prudence Gibson, UNSW

A new survey exhibition of contemporary artist Janet Laurence urges us to reconsider the relationship between art, nature and politics.
A Man of Good Hope is no tale of triumph over adversity, but it is the story of many

William Peterson, Flinders University

In A Man of Good Hope, an energetic cast of over 20 performers take the audience on a journey through the life of Somali refugee Asad Abdullahi.

Environment + Energy
Kauri pines are late-blooming rainforest giants Kevin Glencross, Southern Cross University During its first few decades, this tree is the runt of the rainforest. And then it starts its growth spurt, and can go on to live for millennia.

Politics + Society

ALP widens Newspoll lead to 54-46%, as Liberals choose conservative successor to Bishop

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The worsening Coalition performance comes after last week's sluggish economic figures and amid more bickering on the conservative side of politics, including pot shots from Malcolm Turnbull.
View from The Hill: Tony Abbott tries some climate adaptation for the winds of Warringah

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The former prime minister has changed his mind yet again on the Paris targets, this time because he is under pressure in his seat of Warringah.
VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on more cabinet departures, national accounts figures and Morrison’s Christmas island visit

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Deep Saini speaks with Michelle Grattan about the week in politics.
New Zealand’s repeal of “year and a day” rule expands liability for homicide

Brenda Midson, University of Waikato

New Zealand's parliament this week passed an amendment to the crimes act, abolishing the "year and a day" rule. This raises questions about any proposed euthanasia laws and homicide more generally.
Next government must find Australia’s place in a turbulent and rapidly changing world

Susan Harris Rimmer, Griffith University

Whoever forms the next government should increase investment in foreign affairs and trade, finding ways to make Australia more prominent in global dispute resolution.
Community members should be able to sponsor refugees for the right reasons, not to save the government money

Anthea Vogl, University of Technology Sydney; Asher Hirsch, Monash University

The current community support program that allows Australians to sponsor a refugee's resettlement is flawed. It exploits the goodwill of the community while shifting costs away from the government.
Mark Latham in the upper house? A Coalition minority government? The NSW election is nearly upon us and it’s going to be a wild ride

Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation

It's worth keeping an eye on the NSW election outcome. It may end up telling us a lot about how global political themes, like the erosion of centrist politics, are playing out here in Australia.
After years of vicious culture wars, hope may yet triumph over hate in Australian politics

Chris Wallace, Australian National University

On racist dog-whistling and on climate change, the "right" now finds itself on the wrong side of public opinion – so the acrimonious public debates on ideological lines may be coming to an end.
A second vote is the only way out of the Brexit mess

Mark Kenny, Australian National University

As the UK careens towards a disastrous "no-deal" Brexit, the only sensible option is to put another vote to the people, now the implications of leaving the EU are clearer.

Education
Beyond the binary: how teaching children about gender could help reduce sexism Dr Pani Farvid, Auckland University of Technology Teaching young children about the history of gender and offering them more options for identity expression would help to curb gendered stereotypes and sexism.