Quarterly Essay 73: Australia Fair

What do Australians want most from their next government?

In this vivid, grounded, surprising essay, Rebecca Huntley listens to the people and hears a call for change.

Too often we focus on the angry, reactionary minority. But, Huntley shows, there is also a large progressive centre. For some time, a clear majority have been saying they want action - on climate and energy, on housing and inequality, on corporate donations and the corruption of democracy.

Would a Shorten Labor government rise to this challenge? What can be learnt from the failures of past governments? Was marriage equality just the beginning? In Australia Fair, Rebecca Huntley reveals the state of the nation and makes the case for democratic renewal - should the next government heed the call.