Neil McMahon

Can American can-do optimism head off a voter revolt in Sydney, the “Elizabeth Taylor of Australian cities”?

Foreign affairs provide relief from tough times at home. Old allies declare they’re still good mates. Gay marriage erupts as a defining issue, while a royal marriage serves as a reminder of unfinished business for republicans. And a deadly tragedy abroad leaves more questions than answers.

A national obsession revived 30 years on. Australian voters deliver their verdict: none of the above. A gaggle of independent country politicians hold the key to the nation’s future. The Queen’s representative finds her family ties an issue. The markets wait and wonder what comes next. And how much money is too much for a young woman who claims she was sexually harassed by the boss?