Five federal byelections, and we think the more things change, the more they will stay the same. We suggest there will be no change in the numbers on the floor, but politics is so unpredictable in this day and age, so who knows?

The Institute of Public Affairs: an insidious influence on politics, or part of the broad church of parliament? No, we think it's insidious and ruining democracy in Australia. It's the IPA and others, such as the Ramsey Centre of Western Civilisation, that are causing trouble, now wanting to influence Australian universities.

And the old punching-bag of conservatives, the ABC, is in the firing line. The Liberals want to privatise the ABC – yes, their Council voted for this – yet, federal cabinet is denying this to be the case. But who said "no cuts to the ABC", just before he cut $254 million from their budget? Yes, former Liberal Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. Can the Liberals be trusted with the ABC? No, we don't think so.