Explainers
Explainer
Press freedom
How free is the press in Australia?
What would a free press look like, and what protections are already afforded to journalists in Australia and elsewhere?
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Latest
Explainer
Press freedom
What is a search warrant and how do police apply for them?
This week, Australians were given a glimpse into the way search warrants are executed when AFP officers descended on the ABC and the home of a News Corp journalist.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Explainer
Chinese influence
Why Australians should be worried about Hong Kong’s new extradition laws
Hong Kong has guarded its ability to do things people cannot on the Chinese mainland, like commemorate Tiananmen Square. Is that about to change?
- by Felicity Lewis
Explainer
Healthcare
Mind the gap: how do medical specialist fees work?
Why do we have out-of-pocket costs for specialist services? Who decides what patients pay? What are rock star specialists? What’s an appropriate fee and when are specialists gouging patients?
- by Kate Aubusson
Explainer
Meteorology
'I know I'm a weather geek, but I'd love to see that': the BoM's new three-week 'outlooks'
How do meteorologists work out the weather forecast? And how far into the future can they go?
- by Michael Fowler
Explainer
Indonesian election
Why are Indonesians dying on the streets of Jakarta a month after their election?
People are dead in the capital, and the plot thickens with envelopes of cash found on some protesters. What sparked the violence and who is involved?
- by Michael Bachelard and Karuni Rompies
Explainer
Abortion
Alabama has voted to ban abortions. Could the same happen here?
The laws on abortion vary in Australia. Which is the most progressive state? And can abortion ever be a crime here?
- by Caroline Zielinski
Explainer
World election
You think Australian elections are big? In India, an eighth of the world's population has voted
Can three women of influence, a family dynasty and a flurry of fake news topple Narendra Modi in the world's biggest democratic elections?
- by Matt Wade
Explainer
Australia votes
How will the new government reach the magic number of 39 in the Senate?
The re-elected Morrison government’s legislative fortunes may hang on a final undecided Senate seat in Queensland.
- by David Wroe
Explainer
Adani
What's next for Adani, the coal project that helped to return Morrison to power?
Much is at stake as Adani's Carmichael coal mine becomes a swing factor in delivering victory to the federal Coalition – and approvals have now been fast-tracked.
- by Peter Hannam
Explainer
Recycling
A year after China shut the door, how will Australia deal with its recycling?
Our stockpiles of recyclable waste are not going anywhere. What are the most feasible solutions?
- by Debbie Cuthbertson