Government funding to major sporting codes and teams is distributed through both sports-specific programs and broader programs, including infrastructure funding. This complexity makes it difficult to trace the total government funding provided to sporting codes and teams each year. Further, these organisations’ annual reports do not always identify government income.

This Quick Guide provides an overview of various government funding sources available to major sporting codes and clubs, at both the federal and state and territory level. It is intended as a practical resource to assist with tracking government expenditure in this area.

The focus is on national sporting organisations and their associated premier leagues, rather than local clubs. However, many of the funding sources mentioned will be relevant to sports organisations at all levels. State and territory programs most often relate to state-level organisations.

In January 2023, the Government launched Australia’s first arts policy in a decade. Revive – the National Cultural Policy sets out a suite of discrete actions and measures to be achieved over 5 years. Two years on, and with an inquiry into the policy underway, this FlagPost outlines what has been achieved so far, what can be expected in 2025, and new issues that have arisen since Revive was published.

Australia’s Parliament House exists not just as the national legislature, but also as a significant tourist destination and cultural institution. As part of this expansive role, light illuminations projected onto the Parliament House façade have highlighted many cultural commemorations and celebrations. This Flagpost identifies the varied history of these illuminations, especially within the context of the annual ACT Government festival, Enlighten.

This quick guide provides links to relevant government and non-government bodies and reports, as well as an overview of useful statistical and economic data sources. It updates The arts and culture: a quick guide to key internet links, published in 2014.

In February 2021, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) designated Brisbane's bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games ’Preferred Bid Status’. This meant that Brisbane was the only one of numerous bid cities that progressed to the ‘targeted dialogue’ phase. This was followed by a ‘final negotiations’ phase, with the official declaration of Brisbane as the successful host city occurring at an IOC session on 21 July 2021.

Developments in artificial intelligence and the continued influence of online platforms present significant regulatory challenges for governments. Different countries are responding to these challenges in a variety of ways. What opportunities exist for international cooperation and coordination of responses, and what progress has Australia made in regulating these digital technologies?

Since 1994, 5 October has been celebrated internationally as World Teachers’ Day. On this date in 1966 the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers was adopted, which outlines teachers’ rights and responsibilities, training standards and other work conditions (p. 3). This article identifies key workforce and gender trends relating to Australia’s teachers and highlights educators who went on to have parliamentary careers.

This FlagPost explains the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement 2025–2034's  priorities, as well as what remains unchanged from the NSRA. It also explores the attitudes of the states and territories, which indicate that the Government may face tough negotiations before its September deadline.

Complex environmental challenges create risks to natural systems, individuals, communities and the global economic system. While governments around the world grapple with these interconnected crises, what global frameworks exist and what are some of the policy responses that could be used?

Major changes have been occurring in energy systems around the world. What are these shifts in electricity systems and what’s happening in Australia’s largest electricity grid? What key challenges and complexities need to be managed within Australia’s system?

Typically Defence is a topic that does not feature heavily in election campaigns due to a general understanding of bipartisanship. Given dire warnings in recent defence strategic policies (domestic and international), major geopolitical shifts, and ongoing conflicts in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Defence is gearing up to be a more prominent election campaign topic. With the release of the 2025–26 Defence Budget, this FlagPost will show the increasing levels of defence expenditure in other key nations (as a percentage of GDP for example) and highlight where government's are drawing funds from other portfolios (for example, the UK is reducing its aid budget) to pay for increased Defence expenditure.

Australia’s international relationships and national interests are under pressure as it faces an increasingly volatile regional environment. Australia has responded with an updated defence strategy, but what does the change in approach mean for the defence budget and Australia’s engagement with regional security partners?

Australia’s strategic environment is in flux as dissatisfied states seek to revise the post-1945 liberal order. This is likely to result in greater instability and a higher probability of conflict. What approach is Australia taking to navigate the challenges of this increasingly unpredictable environment?

The High Court decision in Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu has significant implications for constitutional and native title law, and has exposed the Commonwealth to significant liability for actions impacting native title from the early 1900s. This paper will examine the key findings that the constitutional guarantee of just terms for the acquisition of property applies to laws made for the territories, and that extinguishment or impairment of native title by exercise of the Crown’s radical title can be compensable under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) as an acquisition of property. 

Recognition of prior occupation of Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is an unresolved issue in Australia, despite many attempts over the years. How does Australia compare to other countries in their relationships with indigenous peoples, and what might the future hold for Indigenous rights and recognition in Australia?

This Quick Guide provides links to Parliamentary Library publications and other resources relating to the unsuccessful Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) referendum, which occurred on 14 October 2023.

This Quick Guide provides a short overview of all Australian Government Indigenous-specific bodies; the number of public servants they employ; their functions and funding; and an overview of total Australian Government Indigenous-specific expenditure.

The Federal Court has called for better scrutiny of ‘convoluted’ child support laws, saying such complex legislation puts governance in jeopardy.

The first week of November saw Australia’s High Court deliver 5 important decisions - and a new Chief Justice take the reins.

On 9 June 2023, the Attorney-General announced that the Police Ministers Council ‘had taken an important step towards a National Firearms Register by reaching unanimous agreement on options to be put to National Cabinet’. The register will replace the Australian Firearms Information Network currently operated by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Options for implementing a national firearms register were requested by National Cabinet in the aftermath of the Wieambilla terrorist shooting in December 2022. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2 police officers and a local member of the community, and brought the shortcomings of the current system into focus.

This FlagPost outlines developments in plans to replace AFIN with a register and ongoing efforts to develop a system that includes all states and territories.

As with a federal election, the timing of a constitutional referendum is regulated by both constitutional and legislative requirements. This Quick Guide outlines these requirements and how the electoral calendar relates to the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 Bill.

In the Australia federal political context, the word ‘referendum’ is used to describe a vote to change the Australian Constitution. Conversely, the word ‘plebiscite’ is used to describe a non-constitutional, non-binding or advisory vote.

While Australians have long seen home ownership as the primary means of securing stable housing, we have recently experienced a decline in ownership and increase in the proportion of renters. Could Australia heed calls for supporting a more diverse mix of housing options?

Governments around the world are wrestling with the challenges of migration policy, diversity and social cohesion. While Australia performs comparatively well on measures of social cohesion, maintaining a socially cohesive society will require careful monitoring and balancing of these complex challenges.

Social expenditure is under scrutiny in Australia and many other countries due to rising costs, with some arguing for reforms aimed at greater targeting of assistance to those most in need. What is the case for a more targeted welfare system versus universal arrangements?