Since the republic referendum in 1999, many within Labor’s ranks have argued that we should leave the issue alone.

- By Kirsten Andrews

There is arguably no policy area more important to Labor than the provision of a high quality education system that enables people to become productive, informed and well-rounded citizens in their local community.

- By Ryan Park

Two words changed the direction of one man’s life and the state of NSW: “Do law”. The advice was from William McKell, who went on to become Premier of NSW, and it was given to a young union official called Reg Downing.

- By Hannah Quadrio

The imbroglio in late 2013 that was Tony Abbott’s retreat from the Gonski funding model tells us that Tony Abbott is more than willing to breach election promises. It confirms for all Australians that the Liberal Party does not care about fairness when it comes to education funding. Christopher Pyne made himself look even more ridiculous by denying that there is a link between parental wealth and educational outcomes.

By Chris Bowen, Shadow Treasurer and MP for McMahon

Of all the Labor Greats in the second half of the 20th century, Neville Wran is the most relevant for our present tough times.

- By Graham Freudenberg

The word ‘revolution’ is over-used. But one of the few true revolutions we have experienced in our society over the past decade has been the impact of the spread of digital technology on the way people communicate.

- By Tim Watts

The global policy-making community is now having the right kind of debate about the costs and consequences of rising inequality and what it means for wealth creation and opportunity in advanced industrial economies. The Economist magazine, a traditionally dry publication, has called for the elimination of inefficient business tax concessions to fund a massive increase in human capital spending. The similarly oriented Financial Times has run intelligent pieces about the economic costs of digital exclusion.

- By Jim Chalmers

I arrived in Australia from Iran as a five-year-old migrant in January 1988. On 11 December 2013, I delivered my inaugural speech in the Australian Senate as a proud representative of the Australian Labor Party. My experience of the many opportunities of Australian citizenship motivates me to make a difference on population policy.

- By Senator Sam Dastyari

A federal budget is the government’s explanation for why it has to take our money. The reason offered, of course, is always the same: it will improve our lives. The whole arcane process of taxing and spending is ultimately justified by arguing it will make us all happier in the long run. This is what makes budgets fascinating.

- By Sam Crosby

At the edge of Randwick Junction lies a little park. It is shaped like a triangle, bound by three busy roads that link Randwick, Maroubra, and Coogee.

- By Pat Garcia