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Editor's note
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We have heard much in recent years about the declining trust in politicians and politics in Australia, but what do our parliamentarians think about it? For the first time, Mark Evans and colleagues have the answers.
They surveyed 98 federal politicians about our democracy and the trust divide. And while it may not be surprising to hear that they think it works better than most voters believe, they are sufficiently concerned about it to see the need for reform. (Having said that, you may also not be surprised that they are disinclined to embrace reforms that give more direct control to citizens.)
Our politicians also see the need for greater communication between politicians and voters to improve understanding of our democracy and political processes.
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Amanda Dunn
Section Editor: Politics + Society
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Top stories
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Unsurprisingly, Australian politicians are happier than their constituents with the way our democracy works.
Shutterstock
Mark Evans, University of Canberra; Gerry Stoker, University of Canberra; Max Halupka, University of Canberra
New research shows parliamentarians believe the key to improving trust between them and their constituents is in improving links to the community and better educating the public about our democracy.
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The push to ‘drought-proof’ Australia is dangerous nonsense.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Emma Kathryn White, University of Melbourne
Yes, Australia naturally cycles through dry and wet periods. But that doesn't mean we can simply build more dams and trust they'll be filled.
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Even the standard grassed nature strip has value for local wildlife.
Michelle/Flickr
Adrian Marshall, University of Melbourne
When so much of the green space in our cities is in the form of nature strips, current restrictions on plantings are denying us the many social and environmental benefits of more diverse greenery.
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If you let it work for you, stress can be your secret weapon.
from shutterstock.com
Mandie Shean, Edith Cowan University
Stress is actually our body getting us ready to take on a challenge. A stress response can increase oxygen to the brain and improve attention, focus, energy and determination.
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Environment + Energy
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Frank Jotzo, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; Lambert Schneider, Oeko-Institut; Maosheng DUAN, Tsinghua University
Nations are struggling to agree on how international carbon trading should work under the Paris accord. A weak result would undermine global efforts to fight climate change.
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Science + Technology
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Jennifer Beckett, University of Melbourne; Fiona R Martin, University of Sydney; Venessa Paech, University of Sydney
Mark Zuckerberg may try to minimise their concerns, but Facebook moderators and other online workers are beginning to organise for their own protection.
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Business + Economy
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Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University
China's attempts to bully the NBA over political expression might prove to be a lesson in how much the new superpower can throw its weight around.
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Gabriela D'Souza, Monash University
This year's Nobel Prize is important both for what it recognises and who it recognises.
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Health + Medicine
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Kate Lycett, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Anneke Grobler, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Markus Juonala, University of Turku; Melissa Wake, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
One in four Australians is overweight or obese by the time they reach adolescence, but it's difficult to predict who is at risk. These three questions can help.
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Benjamin Cowie, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity; Karen McCulloch, University of Melbourne; Nicole Romero, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Curing thousands of Australians with hepatitis C is one of the public health success stories of recent years. We can take lessons from this as we continue in the fight against hepatitis B.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Alan Jones unleashed his well-known tactics of lecturing and insult as he accused Scott Morrison of failing the immediate needs of drought-striken farmers.
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Greg Austin, UNSW
We have not been able to develop an intelligence workforce that can keep up with the speed of advancing technologies and their threat to our national security.
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Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato
A register of all firearms is part of the next stage of New Zealand's gun law reform, following the Christchurch mosque shootings.
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Gareth Evans, Australian National University
Self-belief is an obvious given for anyone aspiring to political leadership. But there are ten other qualities that distinguish the most successful leaders from the rest.
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