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This week, Australia’s 30th prime minister, Scott Morrison, will make his valedictory speech as he leaves parliament for good. While there has already been a great deal of analysis of his time as prime minister, how can we fairly assess his successes and failures, and where he ranks in the history of the nation’s leaders?
Paul Strangio analyses the Morrison era according to nine criteria: effectively managing cabinet; maintaining support of Coalition/party; demonstrating personal integrity; leaving a significant policy legacy; relationship with the electorate; communication effectiveness; nurturing national unity; defending and promoting Australia’s interests abroad; and being able to manage turbulent times.
And the result? Well, Strangio points out that in rankings of the best Australian prime ministers, it is usually wartime leader John Curtin who places first, while Billy McMahon, and lately Tony Abbott, have wrestled for last spot. While opinions will of course vary wildly on the issue, let’s just say Strangio does not see Morrison troubling Curtin for top spot any time soon.
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Amanda Dunn
Politics + Society Editor
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Paul Strangio, Monash University
In assessing Morrison’s prime ministership, several factors need to be taken into account. On many of them, his record is poor.
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Natasha Bradshaw, Grattan Institute
For the first time, Australians will be able to look up the gender pay gap and the proportion of women employed at every major Australian company.
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Gwilym Croucher, The University of Melbourne
The Universities Accord final report makes recommendations that could significantly change what many Australian students pay for their higher education.
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Peter Hurley, Victoria University; Melinda Hildebrandt, Victoria University
The Universities Accord final report proposes Australia adopts a ‘needs-based’ funding model. On top of base funding, there would be extra loadings to support equity students.
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Sally Patfield, University of Newcastle
Equity has been front and centre of the Universities Accord. But it means more than just increasing ‘bums on seats’ in higher education.
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Judith Ireland, The Conversation
The 400-page report is the first broad review of Australian higher education since 2008. It contains 47 recommendations covering ground from course fees, to funding and support for students.
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Dora Marinova, Curtin University; Diana Bogueva, Curtin University
Human health depends on having a liveable planet and this is inextricably linked to food systems.
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Carl Rhodes, University of Technology Sydney
Conservative critics argue the ‘social responsibility’ of business lies in increasing profits. But values have always been tied up with money-making, from the welfare state to colonialism.
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Becky Freeman, University of Sydney
Nicotine pouches are placed between the lip and gum, and users absorb the nicotine in their mouths. Although these products don’t contain tobacco, this doesn’t mean they’re safe.
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Jeannie Marie Paterson, The University of Melbourne
Deepfake scams are on the rise – but can their victims claim compensation? The legal landscape is still developing.
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Health + Medicine
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Dwan Vilcins, The University of Queensland; Nicholas Osborne, The University of Queensland; Paul D. Robinson, The University of Queensland
Children are uniquely vulnerable to bushfire smoke because of their physiology and their behaviour.
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Arts + Culture
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Edith Jennifer Hill, Flinders University
While the Ruby Franke case is an extreme example, it raises important questions of sharing children’s lives online.
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