View from The Hill: James Ashby rocks a few boats, including his own

It’s appalling, sinister and faintly ludicrous that Pauline Hanson’s right-hand man James Ashby and former Queensland MP Steve Dickson played footsie with the American gun lobby, talking u...

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra - avatar Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

We asked five experts: should Australia lower the voting age to 16?

Voting is a key part of the democratic process. It allows all citizens of a certain age to have a say on matters important to them. Voting in federal elections and referendums is compulsory for every ...

Sasha Petrova, Section Editor: Education - avatar Sasha Petrova, Section Editor: Education

I need to know: 'are Kegel exercises actually good for you?'

The good thing about Kegel exercises is that you can do them pretty much anywhere.Nina Maile Gordon/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-NDI Need to Know is an ongoing series for teens in search of reliable, co...

Melissa Kang, Associate professor, University of Technology Sydney - avatar Melissa Kang, Associate professor, University of Technology Sydney

Are more Aussie trees dying of drought? Scientists need your help spotting dead trees

As climate change threatens Australian trees, it's important to identify which are at risk.Nicolás Boullosa/flickr, CC BY-SAMost citizen science initiatives ask people to record living things, ...

Belinda Medlyn, Professor, Western Sydney University - avatar Belinda Medlyn, Professor, Western Sydney University

The inside story on crime within prison

I’ve spent many years working within the prison system, in minimum and maximum security facilities, with adults and juveniles, men and women. I often hear people say that people who commit crime...

Catharine Phillips, Acting Superintendent, Karnet Prison Farm, Edith Cowan University - avatar Catharine Phillips, Acting Superintendent, Karnet Prison Farm, Edith Cowan University

Smart speakers are everywhere -- and they're listening to more than you think

Machines that listen -- such as Google Home -- are now more common, but the technology can 'hear' so much more than just our voice commands.Shutterstock/DavidFerencikSmart speakers equipped with digit...

James Parker, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Melbourne - avatar James Parker, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Melbourne

When even winning is losing. The surprising cost of defeating Philip Morris over plain packaging

Australia scored a victory over the tobacco giant Philip Morris in the High Court in 2012. The court held that Australia’s plain cigarette packaging laws were legal and did not constitute an unj...

Pat Ranald, Research fellow, University of Sydney - avatar Pat Ranald, Research fellow, University of Sydney

To protect fresh food supplies, here are the key steps to secure city foodbowls

If you’ve eaten fresh strawberries recently, they likely came from one of Australia’s city foodbowls. Around 40% of the nation’s strawberries are produced on Melbourne’s fringe...

Rachel Carey, Lecturer in Food Systems, University of Melbourne - avatar Rachel Carey, Lecturer in Food Systems, University of Melbourne

When we celebrate Captain Cook's voyage, let's mark the epic journey of a Wati Wati man also

Nicholas Chevalier, Mallee scrub, Murray River, NSW, watercolour, 1871.National Library of AustraliaBy now, most of us would know that 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s voyage a...

Stephen Morey, Senior Lecturer, Department of Languages and Linguistics, La Trobe University - avatar Stephen Morey, Senior Lecturer, Department of Languages and Linguistics, La Trobe University

Morrison kicks decision on Queensland coal plant well down the road

The study would ”identify viable locations for firm generation including coal, gas, pumped hydro, and biomass opportunities, including Collinsville and Gladstone."Nickj/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-...

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra - avatar Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

It's your money they're spending in this election-eve budget. Here's how we're covering the story

Next Tuesday night is budget night, and it’s happening on the eve of a federal election where the Coalition is in for the fight of its life to hold onto government.The Conversation’s team ...

Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling - avatar Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling

Did Al Jazeera's undercover investigation into One Nation overstep the mark?

The sheer audacity of Al Jazeera’s three-year ruse is astounding. The news company’s investigation unit has carried out a sting that has captured both the National Rifle Association of the...

Andrew Dodd, Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne - avatar Andrew Dodd, Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne

Peta Clancy brings a hidden Victorian massacre to the surface with Undercurrent

Peta Clancy, Undercurrent 1, from the series Undercurrent, 2018-19, inkjet pigment print, W120 x H85cm each image approx.Courtesy the artistReview: Peta Clancy, Undercurrent, Koorie Heritage TrustThe ...

Anita Pisch, Honorary Lecturer, School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, Australian National University - avatar Anita Pisch, Honorary Lecturer, School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, Australian National University

What is the Medicare rebate freeze and what does it mean for you?

On the weekend, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would end the Medicare freeze in his first 50 days as prime minister if Labor won the election.Every day Morrison’s Medicare freeze stays i...

Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW - avatar Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW

Why new laws are vital to help us control violence and extremism online

Only the law can hold internet companies criminally accountable. from www.shutterstock.comThe terrorist attack in Christchurch is a horrific attack on society. We must consider all measures available ...

Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Co-Director Centre for Commercial Law, Bond University - avatar Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Co-Director Centre for Commercial Law, Bond University

More fish, more fishing: why strategic marine park placement is a win-win

Marine parks are good for fish - especially if they're in the right areas.Epstock/ShutterstockAustralia has some of the most spectacular marine ecosystems on the planet – including, of course, t...

Kerstin Jantke, Postdoctoral Researcher on conservation biology, University of Hamburg - avatar Kerstin Jantke, Postdoctoral Researcher on conservation biology, University of Hamburg

A Coup Wrapped in a Hoax Inside a Vendetta

After 675 days of investigation, 2,800 subpoenas, 500 warrants, and 500 witness interviews here are a few things that never happened in the time-consuming, money-wasting, slanderous attempt to erase...

Dr. Robert Owens - avatar Dr. Robert Owens

Russia responds to Mueller report: Moscow wins, Putin is stronger than Trump and US is a 'global pain in the a--'

Cars pass the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 25, 2019.AP/Pavel Golovkin“A mountain has given birth to a mouse. The ‘Russian affair’ falls to pieces before our eyes.” So prono...

Cynthia Hooper, Associate Professor of History, College of the Holy Cross - avatar Cynthia Hooper, Associate Professor of History, College of the Holy Cross

When even winning is losing. The surprising cost of defeating Philip Morris over plain packaging

Australia scored a victory over the tobacco giant Philip Morris in the High Court in 2012. The court held that Australia’s plain cigarette packaging laws were legal and did not constitute an unj...

The Conversation - avatar The Conversation

Romney's Mormon religion helps explain his criticism of Trump

Mitt Romney has been one of few prominent Republicans to criticize Donald Trump, beginning with the 2016 presidential campaign. He did so again recently in response to Trump’s critical comments ...

Luke Perry, Professor of Government at Utica College, Utica College - avatar Luke Perry, Professor of Government at Utica College, Utica College

In the future, everyone might use quantum computers

A seven-qubit quantum device at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. AP Photo/Seth WenigComputers were once considered high-end technology, only accessible to scientists ...

Christopher Bernhardt, Professor of Mathematics, Fairfield University - avatar Christopher Bernhardt, Professor of Mathematics, Fairfield University