Second-term Albanese will face policy pressure, devastated Liberals have only bad options

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Despite Labor’s resounding win, long-standing policy pressure will haunt them. Meanwhile, the Liberals attempt to regroup facing few options.

Independents will not help form government – but they will be vital in holding it to account

Joshua Black, Australian National University

Yes, Labor has won a huge majority. But it will still need to work constructively with the crossbench in both the House and the Senate.

Blaming Donald Trump for conservative losses in both Canada and Australia is being too kind to Peter Dutton

David Smith, University of Sydney

The Coalition should resist seeing Trump as a natural disaster over which they had no control. Peter Dutton made many other missteps that doomed his party’s chances.

In its soul-searching, the Coalition should examine its relationship with the media

Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University; Andrew Dodd, The University of Melbourne

Voters wanted to hear the details of policies that matter to them, such as housing and cost of living. Instead, the Coalition gave them culture wars.

State of the states: 6 experts on how the election unfolded across the country

David Clune, University of Sydney; Narelle Miragliotta, Murdoch University; Paul Williams, Griffith University; Robert Hortle, University of Tasmania; Rob Manwaring, Flinders University; Zareh Ghazarian, Monash University

Labor won the election, but how did your state vote? Here’s the breakdown of the key seats nationally.

Election flops – a night to forget for minor parties on the left and the right

Maxine Newlands, James Cook University

The Greens lost two seats in the lower house, with their other two on a knife’s edge. Trumpet of Patriots and One Nation also failed to impress.

Labor makes Senate gains, and left-wing parties will hold a Senate majority

Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne

Labor’s huge win in the House of Representatives looks like it will be mirrored by an improvement in their Senate representation too.

Labor wins election in landslide: full results

Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation

‘Super antibodies’ for snake toxins: how a dangerous DIY experiment helped scientists make a new antivenom

Christina N. Zdenek, The University of Queensland; Timothy N.W. Jackson, The University of Melbourne

A man spent 18 years injecting himself with venom, almost dying more than once – and now his blood is behind a new snakebite treatment.

Newly discovered tropical oyster reefs are thriving across northern Australia – they deserve protection

Marina Richardson, Griffith University

The first detailed study of Australian tropical oyster reefs reveals the main species, yet to be named, is related to the Sydney rock oyster – and is just as delicious.

Truth and lies, trust and doubt: how should we be navigating the misinformation crisis?

Jane Goodall, Western Sydney University

We’re facing a crisis in public trust – in institutions and the information they feed us.

We talk a lot about being ‘resilient’. But what does it actually mean?

Peter McEvoy, Curtin University

We need to feel some stress to achieve our best, but if we feel too much, we can flounder. That’s where resilience comes in.

Archibald Packing Room Prize goes to Abdul Abdullah for Jason Phu portrait, among broader set of bold and deeply personal works

Joanna Mendelssohn, The University of Melbourne

From Jason Phu’s portrait of Hugo Weaving, brimming with humour and energy, to Mostafa Azimitabar’s fierce portrait of Grace Tame, the 2025 winners are anyone’s guess.