Welcome to Issues and insights, a new Parliamentary Library publication that independently and expertly examines our complex and fast-changing world. Its purpose is to ‘think big’ in analysing the key issues that will confront the 48th Parliament and beyond. A critical component of this is situating national challenges and impacts in a global context.
The following articles engage some of the most pressing issues and policy questions facing Australia today. Across the collection you will see common themes emerging, with an emphasis on security, sustainability and prioritisation. Also pervasive is the acknowledgement of a world in transition, seen through geopolitical uncertainty, regional instability and rapid technological change. And of course, parliaments themselves must continually address both old and new challenges in how they govern, who gets heard and how to foster social cohesion in an era of increased division.
Whether you are a policy expert or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve, we hope these pages spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and help clarify the key issues amidst the ever-increasing noise. Issues and Insights showcases the Library’s expertise and our ongoing role both in these pages and beyond is to help you, the parliamentarian. Our experts cover a range of policy issues and portfolio areas and can ably assist you with any questions you have.
Steven Fox
Parliamentary Librarian
Contributors
The following Parliamentary Library staff are acknowledged for their contributions to Issues and Insights 2025:
Don Arthur
Becky Bathgate
Michele Brennan
Nigel Brew
Adam Broinowski
Luke Buckmaster
Nathan Church
Pauline Downing
Karen Elphick
Stephen Fallon
Edward Fellows
Nell Fraser
Emily Gibson
Joshua Gibson
Geoff Gilfillan
Owen Griffiths
Annika Hellsing
Matthew Keene
Michael Klapdor
Marcin Kocik
Hunter Laidlaw
Vu Lam
Virginia Lindenmayer
Susan Love
Eleanor Malbon
Dinty Mather
Peter McDonald
Chris McGann
David McGovern
Stephen McMaugh
Sally McNicol
Ipshita Mondal
Philip Moszczynski
Antonino Nielfi
Greg O'Brien
Susan Pennings
Sophie Power
Amelia Puckering
Grey Robertson
Yasith Ruberu
Laura Schatz
Jill Sheppard
Joanne Simon
Michael Sloane
Martin Smith
Chris Sonneveld
Harriet Spinks
Matthew Thomas
Liesl Tierney
Penny Vandenbroek
Kate Wagner