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While there’s still another week of the campaign left, the Australian Electoral Commission says this election has already broken records for early voting.
If you’re among those heading to pre-poll places this long weekend, you’ll be greeted with how to vote cards from political parties. While useful for some (and annoying to others), The Conversation’s psephologist Adrian Beaumont explains why they don’t always affect the outcomes of elections. Nor, he says, do the preference deals parties do behind the scenes.
What does make a big difference is your vote. But as we typically only have federal elections every three years, you may need a refresher on how to navigate the ballot papers.
Researchers Robert Hortle and Logan Linkston explain everything you need to know to make your vote count, plus we have a fun little game that simulates how preferences flow in the great farmyard election of 2025 (vote 1 cow!).
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Erin Cooper-Douglas
Deputy Politics + Society Editor
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Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne
While there is always much interest in preference deals, many voters simply do their own thing at the ballot box.
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Robert Hortle, University of Tasmania; Logan Linkston, University of Tasmania
Here’s how to navigate federal ballot papers. In this practice election, it’s farm animals battling for your vote.
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 Alison Carabine, Public Policy Editor, and The Conversation Digital Storytelling Team Your guide to the major policy issues of the 2025 election |
 Carole Cusack & The Conversation Storytelling Team Tens of thousands will visit the body of Pope Francis lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica. Here are some details to look out for during the ritual. |
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Joel Hodge, Australian Catholic University; Antonia Pizzey, Australian Catholic University
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, a day after greeting crowds at St Peter’s Square. From the very start of his papacy, he seemed determined to do things differently.
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Naomi Oreskes, Harvard University
The US has obstructed climate action for decades – largely due to damaging actions by the powerful fossil fuel industry. But Australia has a chance now to lead.
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Albert Palazzo, UNSW Sydney
By adopting a different military philosophy as its guide, Australia could manage its security largely on its own.
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Judith Brett, La Trobe University
Faust is best remembered as the founder of the Women’s Electoral Lobby. But there was much more to her than just that.
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Liz Hicks, The University of Melbourne; Ashleigh Best, The University of Melbourne
The culling of 700 starving koalas in Victoria has triggered outrage. There has to be a better way to respond after bushfire.
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TC Weekly podcast
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Withe just one week to go in the election campaign, cost of living and defence featured strongly in the campaign.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
From handling town hall hecklers to swaying voters through podcasts and online algorithms, Australian election campaigns have transformed in recent generations.
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Our most-read article this week
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
If Dutton is serious about his tax plan, this is the most radical proposal we’ve heard for the election, apart from the nuclear policy.
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In case you missed this week's big stories
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Zareh Ghazarian, Monash University
If recent trends continue, about half of all voters could cast their ballots before election day, May 3. How is early voting changing the way candidates campaign?
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Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Australian Catholic University
For centuries, the role has gone to a member of the College of Cardinals – and almost always to an Italian. Might we soon have our first pope from Asia or Africa?
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Colin Hawes, University of Technology Sydney
The biggest threat posed by the Chinese-owned Port of Darwin is not security-related but is the risk of the struggling owners becoming insolvent.
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Fiona Macdonald, RMIT University
Before changes to the Fair Work Act, almost all attempts by unions to address gender pay inequity failed.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
A re-elected Albanese government will take the unprecedented step of buying or obtaining options over key critical minerals to protect Australia’s national interest.
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Alex Russell, CQUniversity Australia; Matthew Browne, CQUniversity Australia; Matthew Rockloff, CQUniversity Australia
Fewer Australians are now gambling but those who do gamble more frequently and spend more money.
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Rob Nicholls, University of Sydney
The cases against Google, Meta, Apple and Amazon could profoundly shape the future of global technology.
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Sergi Basco, Universitat de Barcelona
Uncertainty is far worse for the economy than a fixed, high tariff.
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Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne
In January, the governing Liberals were more than 20 points behind in the polls, but with an election just days away, they’re now well ahead.
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Campbell Rider, University of Sydney
Looking at the history of ‘biosignature’ discoveries shows why they can be problematic.
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The University of Queensland
Brisbane QLD, Australia
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Full Time
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Australia-Korea Foundation (in conjunction with InASA and SNU)
Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Contract
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