Blog

Updates, explainers, and news about building a participatory democracy party for Australia.

7 April 20265 min readtechnology

AI Regulation: How Should Australia Govern Artificial Intelligence?

As AI transforms everything from healthcare to defence, Australians deserve a direct voice in shaping the rules that will govern this powerful technology. Traditional top-down regulation can't keep pace with AI's rapid evolution - but participatory democracy can.

6 April 20264 min readtechnologyprivacyparty-building

Social Media Age Verification: Good Policy or Privacy Nightmare?

Australia's proposed social media age verification laws promise to protect children online, but they raise serious questions about privacy, effectiveness, and digital rights that demand genuine democratic input.

5 April 20265 min readtechnology

The right to repair: why you should be able to fix what you own

Australians throw away $2.5 billion worth of electronics annually because manufacturers make repairs impossible or prohibitively expensive. It's time to reclaim our right to fix what we own.

4 April 20265 min readpolitics

Open-source government: why public software should be publicly owned

Australian taxpayers spend billions on government software that remains locked away by private vendors, while open-source alternatives could save money and increase transparency.

3 April 20265 min readtechnologyprivacy

Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure: Protecting Australia's Digital Backbone

Australia faces escalating cyber threats against our power grids, hospitals, and financial systems, yet current security policies are developed behind closed doors. Direct democracy ensures every Australian has a voice in protecting our digital future.

2 April 20265 min readtechnologyprivacy

Data sovereignty: who owns your information and why it matters

Your personal data is being harvested, sold, and used to influence your decisions every day, yet Australians have little say in how this digital goldmine is regulated.

1 April 20264 min readtechnologydefence

AUKUS explained: what are we actually getting for $368 billion?

Australia's massive AUKUS submarine investment will reshape our military and economy for decades, yet most Australians had no say in this historic decision that costs more than our entire annual federal budget.

31 March 20265 min readforeign-policy

Australia's relationship with China: trade, security, and the balance between them

China remains Australia's largest trading partner worth $219 billion annually, yet rising security concerns create complex policy tensions that demand genuine democratic input from all Australians.

30 March 20265 min readtechnology

Foreign aid: how much does Australia give and is it enough?

Australia currently gives just 0.19% of its national income to foreign aid -well below the UN target and many peer nations. Should everyday Australians, not just politicians, decide how much we contribute to global development?

29 March 20264 min readtechnologydefence

Veterans' affairs: the gap between rhetoric and reality

While politicians make grand promises about supporting our veterans, the reality on the ground tells a different story of bureaucratic delays, inadequate mental health services, and broken trust.

28 March 20264 min readforeign-policy

Pacific Engagement: Australia's Role in the Region

Australia's Pacific partnerships shape our security, economy, and climate future, yet major decisions are made without consulting the communities who live with the consequences. Direct democracy ensures Pacific policy reflects Australian values and priorities.

27 March 20264 min readeconomyworkers

The Gig Economy Dilemma: Who Decides Workers' Rights in the Digital Age?

As millions of Australians work through digital platforms, the line between employee and contractor has never been more contentious -or consequential for workers' rights.