Zareh Ghazarian

Understand Aussie politics and make your vote count! Australian Politics For Dummies gives you a helping hand as you get to grips with the good, the bad and the ugly of Australian politics. Seasoned political punters and voting novices alike will find fascinating facts and top thrills in in this essential guide. Master the ins and outs of elections, parties and policies. In no time, you'll be discussing and debating the biggest issues with ease. Down under, we all have to vote. It's one of the many beautiful things about this land of ours, and this book will help you learn why (and how) to cast that ballot. This updated edition gives you everything you need to cast your vote with confidence. You'll identify what makes the Australian political system tick, distinguish between the different political parties and understand the influence of the media in Australian politics. Decipher political terminology, make sense of the houses of parliament and understand why we have minor partiesLearn how Australia's political system evolved and grasp today's voting systemsMake sense of coalition politics and figure out the differences between the Labor and Liberal partiesFind out why Australia's system of government is described as 'Washminster,' and discover the Whips and the Usher of the Black Rod You want to know more about Australian politics, but, if we're being realistic, it's very complicated. Australian Politics For Dummies clears it all up.

Gender is a powerful force that shapes Australia’s political leadership. Gender impacts the politics, government and policies of our nation. It influences the public lives of all political leaders. It affects how they interact with political institutions and cultures, with each other and how they are treated by the media. It can also shape who we see as strong and capable leaders. Yet, there is a lack of diversity in leadership positions across the political system and accusations of bullying and a toxic culture in our political parties are rife. So what impact does this have upon how Australia is governed and what might be done about it? From the debates on gender quotas to the ‘bonk ban’, from Julie Bishop’s failed leadership bid to Scott Morrison’s cultivated ‘daggy dad’ persona, from the treatment and legacy of Australia’s first female prime minister to the machinations of our political parties and parliament, this book explores the subtle and overt operation of gender politics in Australia. Gender Politics is a provocative and urgent collection that re-examines the way we navigate power and leadership in Australian politics.

In Australian politics, minor parties have come a long way. From an era where there were no minor parties in the national parliament, they have become crucial players in shaping government policy and the political debate. This book charts the rise of minor parties in the Australian Senate since the end of World War II, and it constructs an analytical framework to explain how these parties became the powerful actors they are today. The book shows that there has been a change in the type of minor party elected. Rather than being created as a result of a split in a major party, newer minor parties have been mobilized by broad social movements with the aim of advancing specific policy agendas. By shedding light on these parties, the book shows how minor parties have impacted the Australian political system and how they look set to remain an important component of governance in the future. *** Librarians: ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO (Series: Politics) Subject: Politics, History, Australian Studies]