One thing Malcolm Turnbull should do in the short term if he’s forming a new ministry is find a first-rate minister to put into the health portfolio. David Moir/AAP

Turnbull remains less than pitch‑perfect

Malcolm Turnbull is struggling to produce the right response in the aftermath of his election debacle. On Saturday he did not take on any blame and lashed out at Labor’s “Mediscare” tactic. On Tuesday…
Malcolm Turnbull said he remained ‘quietly confident, reasonably confident’ of forming a majority government. David Moir/AAP

We must convince people we believe in Medicare: Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull has taken ‘absolutely full responsibility’ for his criticised election campaign, and declared the Coalition must rebuild public trust in itself on the issue of Medicare.
Bill Shorten and daughter Clementine after a press conference in Moonee Ponds on Sunday. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Labor leadership talk a bit of mischievous arson

In an election full of drama, it is still remarkable that media speculation on Sunday was not about whether Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership might be shaky but the possibility of a challenge to Bill Shorten.
Malcolm Turnbull continued to say he was ‘quietly confident’ the Coalition would reach a majority in its own right. Lukas Coch/AAP

Turnbull stands solid against returning Abbott to frontbench

Malcolm Turnbull has slapped down the prospect of Tony Abbott returning to the ministry, as both he and Bill Shorten talk to crossbenchers who could determine their fate in a hung parliament.
It’s now up to voters to decide the fate of Bill Shorten. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Grattan on Friday: Shorten struggles as campaign winds down

The fag end of a campaign is an agony of suspense for the leaders, when exhaustion, anxiety and adrenaline mix to a strong brew of stomach-churning anticipation. Resilience and discipline have driven Malcolm…
Scott Morrison and Mathias Cormann have announced the Coalition’s election costings. Adrian Muscat/AAP

Coalition squeezes welfare lemon again

A $2 billion welfare crackdown is the main contributor to new savings announced by the government to improve the budget by $1.1 billion across the forward estimates.
A Galaxy poll published in the Sunday Telegraph suggested Bill Shorten would have been elected with a large majority if up against Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott/Facebook

Abbott would have lost ‘resoundingly’: Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull has said that if he had not become leader, the Coalition would have lost this election ‘very resoundingly’ under Tony Abbott.
Chris Bowen and Tony Burke put out Labor’s costings just after Malcolm Turnbull’s official launch of the Coalition’s campaign. Dan Peled/AAP

Labor costings: ALP deficit $16.5 billion higher over the budget period

Labor has unveiled its costings, showing it would have a deficit of around $16 billion higher across the forward estimates than that shown in the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Malcolm Turnbull said the shockwaves of the past 48 hours were a sharp reminder of the volatility in the global economy. Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Malcolm Turnbull: don’t risk change or protest

Malcolm Turnbull has warned voters of the need for stable government in uncertain times, in a pitch to counter Labor’s fear campaign and the temptation for electors to lodge a protest vote.
Malcolm Turnbull would be fully aware that an attempt to bind ministers on same-sex marriage would cause more trouble than it is worth. AAP/Lukas Coch

Post‑plebiscite conscience vote on same‑sex marriage is not the risk

Is it a problem that, according to Malcolm Turnbull, cabinet members would get a free vote on legislation enacting same-sex marriage after a successful plebiscite? If it is – and the logic suggests otherwise…
Barnaby Joyce pats a wooden wombat before starting an election address at the National Press Club on Wednesday. Andrew Taylor

Barnaby Joyce might seek another portfolio

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has left the way open for a possible change of portfolio in a re-elected Turnbull government – assuming he holds his seat.

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