And just like that, Barnaby Joyce is back. After three years on the backbench, having resigned amid an allegation of sexual harassment (which he denies) and an extramarital affair with a staffer, Joyce has toppled Michael McCormack to again become leader of the National Party and deputy prime minister.

Known for his outspokenness and his skill as a campaigner, Joyce presents a much more difficult prospect for Scott Morrison to manage than the more compliant McCormack, says Michelle Grattan. The main issue will be on climate change, with Morrison inching his way towards target net-zero emissions by 2050, an idea to which many Nationals are deeply opposed.

While Joyce may still be able to work some larrikin charm in some parts of regional Australia, there is the “women problem” he presents as well: that is, women who will not vote for him. This may well become especially acute given the various stories about the mistreatment of women that have emanated from Parliament House in recent months.

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Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Lukas Coch/AAP

View from The Hill: Nationals give Scott Morrison a muscle man to deal with - especially on net zero

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

One central reason why the Nationals have installed Barnaby Joyce, with all the risks and baggage he carries, is because they want someone who'll stand up to Scott Morrison, writes Michelle Grattan

Mick Tsikas/AAP

The National Party used to be known for its leadership stability — what happened?

Geoff Cockfield, University of Southern Queensland

Barnaby Joyce is back as Nationals leader, three years since his reluctant resignation.

Shutterstock

Media reports about vaccine hesitancy could contribute to the problem

Heather Green, Griffith University; Joan Carlini, Griffith University

Our attitudes and behaviours are shaped by what others in society do. So there's a real danger that vaccine hesitancy, when reported widely in the media, could catch on to more people.

Ben Rushton/AAP

A controversial US book is feeding climate denial in Australia. Its central claim is true, yet irrelevant

Ian Lowe, Griffith University

Science is never settled. But contrary to the claims of a new book, there is enough confidence in the science to justify significant climate action.

James Gourley/AAP

Our research shows COVID has made Australians more conservative and care less about others

Julie Anne Lee, The University of Western Australia; Anat Bardi, Royal Holloway University of London; Ella Daniel, Tel Aviv University; Maya Benish-Weisman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Ronald Fischer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

Values in adulthood rarely change. But major events, like wars — and pandemics — can shift our priorities.

Shutterstock

Unearthing Falerii Novi’s secrets in the hot Italian summer: an archaeologist reports from the dig

Emlyn Dodd, Macquarie University

New technology mapped the buried ancient Roman site of Falerii Novi. Now archaeologists have started targeted excavation and soil testing to reveal details of life from more than 2,000 years ago.

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  • Wallets on wheels: city visitors who use e-scooters more spend more

    Abraham Leung, Griffith University; Benjamin Kaufman, Griffith University; Elaine Chiao Ling Yang, Griffith University; Matthew Burke, Griffith University

    A new study shows e-scooter hire schemes increase the number of tourism destinations visitors can reach. And once at these destinations, e-scooter users spend more.

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