The Global Mail has partnered with government transparency project OpenAustralia to create a searchable database of the Australian Parliament’s Hansard records (the edited transcripts of debates).
We have aggregated debate records going back to 2006, and we will be updating this database each time parliament sits.
You can compare trends in phrases and words used by politicians with PartyLines. This interactive graphic is set up with some examples of how political rhetoric varies by party and over time. Soon you will be able to search the database yourself using PartyLines as a tool.
Follow our analysis and have your say on TGM’s Powerhouse blog.
Talking Heads lets you check out the chattiest and most reticent MPs in the chambers. Is your representative at one of these extremes? Follow the link to Open Australia to see what Penny Wong can’t keep quiet about — and see if a cat has Mal Washer’s tongue. You can even turn them all into cats — and take out your frustration with the political process by banging some heads.
Developed and designed by Andrew Cobby, B.J. Rossiter and Jamie Ferguson.
Photo credits: Auspics, Randomskk, Eirik Newth, TGM Staff
