https://preview.johnmenadue.com/categories/topfive/ Public policy journal Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:03:21 +1000 en-AU hourly 1 Hugo 0.158.0 https://preview.johnmenadue.com/favicon.png https://preview.johnmenadue.com/categories/topfive/ 32 32 https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-middle-east-conflict-is-driven-by-competing-theocracies/ George Browning Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:59:25 +1000 Israel Palestine Topfive USA World https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/the-middle-east-conflict-is-driven-by-competing-theocracies The Middle East conflict reflects competing theocratic mindsets in Iran, Israel and the US, where religious conviction is being used to justify violence. https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/chasing-ghosts-losing-votes/ Kos Samaras Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:49:48 +1000 Immigration Politics Topfive https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/chasing-ghosts-losing-votes New research shows immigration is not driving voter anger, yet the Coalition is targeting it anyway – risking further losses in the diverse, urban seats it must win back. https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/shock-horror-an-effective-parliament-in-our-time/ Andrew Fraser Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:39:52 +1000 Policy Politics Topfive https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/shock-horror-an-effective-parliament-in-our-time An ACT Legislative Assembly committee has strengthened proposed sentencing laws by listening to expert evidence and improving the legislation. https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/on-asylum-the-coalition-is-offering-old-fixes-to-problems-of-its-own-making/ Abul Rizvi Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:59:54 +1000 Immigration Politics Topfive https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/on-asylum-the-coalition-is-offering-old-fixes-to-problems-of-its-own-making The Coalition’s asylum plan repackages familiar measures that have failed before, while sidestepping its role in creating a large and growing backlog of unsuccessful applicants. https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/electoral-laws-versus-free-political-speech/ David Solomon Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:54:28 +1000 Policy Politics Topfive https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/electoral-laws-versus-free-political-speech The High Court has struck down a Victorian law favouring major parties, but the bigger test lies ahead – whether federal electoral changes unlawfully entrench incumbency and disadvantage challengers. https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/trump-has-turned-the-pope-into-an-adversary-and-exposed-himself/ Antonio Spadaro Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:44:59 +1000 Politics Religion Topfive USA World https://preview.johnmenadue.com/post/2026/04/trump-has-turned-the-pope-into-an-adversary-and-exposed-himself By targeting Pope Leo XIV, Donald Trump has exposed the limits of political power when confronted with a moral authority it cannot silence or absorb.