First it was his political colleagues, to whom he once apologised with the observation that “sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission”. Now the Malaysians are getting a dose…
- Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
It was a freezing winter day in Wangaratta. Some guests stayed in their overcoats throughout the church service. Sophie Panopoulos, who was becoming Mrs Mirabella, was resplendent in gold satin. Greg Mirabella…
Treasurer Joe Hockey has announced he will make a decision on the controversial $3.4 billion bid by the US giant Archer Daniels Midland for the Australian agribusiness GrainCorp by December 17. The acquisition…
Tony Abbott cleared the hurdle posed by his Indonesian visit like the steeplechaser who navigates the brush fence safely despite some twigs flying. Whatever the importance of other matters, the trip’s…
As Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese had their final face off in the battle to lead Labor out of the Rudd-Gillard era, the former PM received a rapturous response tonight from a 2600-strong audience at…
The state of the budget has deteriorated since the fiscal outlook released in the election campaign, Treasurer Joe Hockey said today, promising the government would have more to say before Christmas about…
It was the ultimate “get stuffed”. Within hours of an email being sent around ministerial offices declaring that all requests for interviews should be referred to the Abbott office, the dictat was on the…
After Tony Abbott declaring on election night Australia is again “open for business”, it’s unfortunate that first up Treasurer Joe Hockey has soon to adjudicate on just how “open” the door is. The decision…
Tony Abbott says his foreign policy emphasis is “Jakarta not Geneva” and indeed he will be in Jakarta next week, which will be the first test of his diplomatic skills as he seeks to smooth the asylum seeker…
The government sounds as though it’s going to war rather than fighting the people smugglers. A lieutenant general in charge, talking about a campaign plan; as much secrecy as possible; asylum seekers dispatched…
The rather extraordinary exercise in internal party democracy – at least for a major Australian party – that we’re seeing in the ALP is just leading to an appetite for more. As Anthony Albanese and Bill…
Alexander Downer, a federal vice-president of the Liberal party, is quite happy to quit that post in compliance with Tony Abbott edict that people who hold party positions can’t be registered lobbyists…
In the week he formally took power, Tony Abbott managed to perform according to his old stereotype - that is, badly on a matter concerning women. On the other side, as the Labor party declared it was embarking…
Tony Abbott had hoped he wouldn’t be confronted with the gay marriage issue for quite a while. Now, just a day after the new government’s swearing in, it’s potentially posing a major challenge for him…
In its shake up of the public service heads, the Abbott government has not repeated John Howard’s day of the long knives. Rather it’s taken a short scalpel in a surgical operation. Three secretaries have…
As her erstwhile colleagues formally moved into government, former Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella conceded defeat to local independent Cathy McGowan in the Victorian regional seat of Indi. With…
The deputy chief of the Army, Angus Campbell, is being appointed to oversee “Operation Sovereign Borders” which will spearhead the Abbott government’s effort to combat the people smuggling trade to Australia…
Is there such a thing as campaign addiction? Or is it just the smell of the prize? Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten have segued from the general election trail to the Labor leadership one without missing…
Tony Abbott’s treatment of science has sparked another controversy over his ministry, with a backbencher slamming the absence of a dedicated minister for the area, and the Chief Scientist calling for a…
The hapless Sophie Mirabella has brought double trouble for her friend Tony Abbott. Not only is she likely to lose her previously safe seat when the Liberals generally had a big win, but her exit from…
Tony Abbott has only five women in a 30-member ministry that preserves stability in the higher reaches of his team but promotes some new talent in the junior levels. Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop…
Liberal frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop has accepted the job of Speaker in the House of Representatives – despite making it known to colleagues earlier this year that she did not want the position. This has…
Julia Gillard’s hard hitting critique of Labor’s past problems and future challenges, posted on Guardian Australia at the weekend, has, among many messages, one central point. Labor, she argues, should…
Anthony Albanese has suggested Labor should help pay for its leadership contest by running a forum for business people to hear from the two candidates. Tomorrow Labor’s national executive will discuss…
Labor has set out on its great experiment in party democracy. Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese swear to run a civilised contest for the party’s leadership. Maybe. It will certainly be an interesting one…
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