Lynda Voltz is a NSW Labor member of the Legislative Council

Over the last few decades there has been a mind shift in parliaments around the world towards legislation regarding voluntary assisted dying. This shift has also been reflected in Australian public opinion where, over the last quarter of a century, Australians have overwhelmingly supported assisted dying in opinion polls. Polling consistently demonstrates widespread support across Australia to allow terminally ill patients to voluntarily end their lives with assistance from the medical profession.

Daniel Gerrard has been a Labor campaign manager in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT. He is currently working for Bec Cody, one of our ACT Labor MLAs, whilst doing a PhD in campaign methods.

Ask someone why they join the Labor Party today, and you’ll likely get an answer about beliefs, values, or ideology. Maybe fairness, maybe equality, or for the university educated, it may be a more or less complex discussion about social or economics, meaning more or less the same things. When you go out doorknocking, or hit the phones, and ask the same question of voters though, and you’ll often get a different answer: family heritage, tribalism, or an expression of their understanding of self.

Jo Haylen is NSW Labor MP for Summer Hill

Michael has just moved to Marrickville from Darlinghurst. He’s a little daunted to leave his usual haunts, but excited for the extra space and the promise of new adventures in the badlands of the inner west.

Pat Honan is the Northern Territory grassroots delegate to the ALP National Policy Forum

The demand to end inequality should be instinctive to anyone who is socialist or social democratically aligned. Bill Shorten's admirable pledge to this effect, however, obviously cannot be achieved by the Commonwealth Government alone - particularly in the area of housing. 

Jenny McAllister is a NSW Labor Senator

Last week the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) issued its 2017-18 corporate plan. While this may not have been marked in everyone’s calendar, it makes for interesting reading, because (amongst other things) it sets out what the RBA thinks are the key risks for its monetary policy functions in the year ahead.