Welcome to a new week, a new pope, a new cabinet and a new Opposition Leader. And for the first time, there are at least 57% women in the ALP caucus and record numbers of women across the federal Parliament.

One of the most interesting things I have read this week is a perspective on the Australian election result from the _South China Morning Post_. (paywalled)

Reporter Alex Lo lines Australia up with Singapore and Canada, with recent elections showing pushback against “Trumpism”, and his “disruption without a plan”. This is in stark contrast to other nations lurching to the far right.

In the wake of the election result, many readers were pleased to see that mean tactics and policy-lite candidates were mostly not rewarded. But our readers, and many Australians, have high expectations, as do we. We will continue to ask more of our political leaders, on climate, on the genocide in Palestine, on AUKUS, our place in our region and more.

The continuing shift of the primary vote away from the two major parties — the rise of Independents who focus on climate, transparency and trust — can be seen as a maturing of the Australian political landscape. It is also a reflection of our shifting demographics, clear evidence of what you might call the insistent optimism of young people. Their anger, when things are not right, and when older generations resist change.

At this election we felt the force of a generation that has felt unheard and betrayed. Now they have grown, and they have the numbers (50% of the voting age population). They have a voice and representation. And that is a good thing. We all need to be shaken up – particularly those of us who are not 21 anymore. We need to do better. We need to be held to account. We need to be prepared to share power. We need to confront our prejudices. We need to listen and read. That is what Pearls and Irritations is for. To bring the best analysis and news to readers, always based on facts. To help us all keep our minds open and our appetite for change voracious.

This week we will continue to look outwards. In our series “Australia’s place in our region”. George Browning brings us a passionate open letter calling on the Coalition to end their affiliation with Zionism, and conservative Christian cults, that disrupted polling booths. Wanning Sun from the University of Technology Sydney takes a close look at the treatment of Chinese voters in the election, and the impact for candidates who were dismissive or worse. We will also keep our eyes on the changes in the cabinet, Liberal and National Party leadership, and the impacts that will have on important issues.

Until next week.