Stewart Jackson – författare

The Australian Greens has been described at various times as the fastest growing new party in Australia, its forerunner the United Tasmania Group the first Green party in the world, and its former Leader Bob Brown as a global treasure. The party played a pivotal role after the 2010 federal election in ensuring the Gillard Government was sustained for 3 years. Although battered in the following Abbott landslide election, the party has survived and grown, to become somewhat of a fixture of Australia politics. However, what do we really know about the Greens in Australia? Is the party really just an extension of the environment movement, or has it matured to a professional party, capable of taking on the ‘big boys’? This book represents an important effort to come to grips with this question, by talking to the people who make the party tick. Who are the members and activists of the party? What do they think about the political and policy winds sweeping Australia in the early 21st century? And has the party made that transition from a home for tree-huggers and alternative lifestylers to a party ready to work in Government? And the answer must be: yes.

The global political environment in the twenty-first century is proving dynamic and challenging for Australian policymakers and political institutions. Australian Politics in the Twenty-first Century contextualises the Australian political landscape through an institutional lens. It examines the legislative and judicial bodies, minor parties, lobby groups, the media and the citizenry, providing historical and contemporary facts, explaining political issues and examining new challenges. The second edition has been updated to reflect the application of political theories in today's civic environment. New spotlight boxes highlight issues including marriage equality, COVID-19 and federalism, the inclusion of First Nations peoples in the political system, and gender equality in public policy. Short-answer, reflection, research and discussion questions encourage students to test and extend their knowledge of each topic and to clearly link theory to practice. Written in an accessible and engaging style, Australian Politics in the Twenty-First Century is an invaluable introduction to the Australian political system.