What springs to mind when you hear the word “backbencher”?

Does it make you think of those politicians who skulk a long way behind the real action in the parliament? Someone who may hurl a verbal barrage or slip in a snide remark during “question time”, safe in the knowledge that the Speaker of the House is far too busy wrestling with Turnbull’s ego or Rudd’s sanctimony to dole out any punishment?

Perhaps a backbencher could be classified as an unaccountable weasel?

Bear in mind that weasels are actually rather courageous animals. They will attack creatures far bigger than themselves in order to defend their young. Anyway, David Attenborough lore aside, what are we about?

The Backbench is an online magazine comprising a collection of views from people around the world, on the state of the world. Critical analysis of current events, social commentary, self-indulgent ranting and fascinating insights into areas unknown… it’s all in here, sometimes in the guise of the snide remark, sometimes the barrage.

The topics addressed may be quite eclectic, according to the whims of our editorialists, but our goal is to evoke a response from you, the reader. This doesn’t mean producing the outrageous or absurd just for the sake of it - Jerry Springer has the market cornered there. We are simply voicing opinions and hope it inspires you to want to comment. All passionate support or rabid disagreement will be happily received.

The Backbench is also an entirely independent publication. There will be no compromising of views according to any commercial or political imperatives. We hope you get something out of it.

The Backbench originally started as a periodical bi-monthly online publication, releasing 18 issues from 2003-2006.  In 2008, it was resurrected in a rolling publication format (ie, a blog).

The Backbench Team