The government is already making a virtue out of one of the “hits” that will raise billions in its economic statement. And it’s got a good case. Tobacco excise will go up. Of course the government would…
- Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
When it comes to parties’ asylum policies, it’s the Greens versus the majors. As the boat flow has increased and the government and Coalition have sought to outdo each other in their responses, the Greens…
The Business Council of Australia has urged a higher, broader GST and an effort to boost the participation of women in the labour force, in an economic action plan released today. It says there should…
One would never have thought it could reach this stage, but Australia’s debate about asylum seekers is now worse than in 2001. As Labor and Coalition try to out-tough each other, the boat arrivals are…
The government’s decision to send all boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea means – unless it grants exemptions - a significant shift in policy on children under seven, who until now have not been sent due…
After passing up an August 31 election, for which things could not be completed in time, Kevin Rudd is under pressure from the political hardheads to go to the polls on September 7, on the back of the…
As opposition and government argue shrilly over the calling - or non-calling - of the election, Kevin Rudd has ticked another box and ministers are preparing to discuss the economic statement expected…
The letter that Opposition leader Tony Abbott and education spokesman Christopher Pyne have sent to principals shifts their schools policy for next year but leaves open what schools would be getting after…
The prospect of a surplus has long disappeared into the distant future but it continues to be a political corset. The government is facing what seems a enormous challenge in its economic statement next…
Now Kevin Rudd has ticked off emissions trading and unveiled his PNG solution on boat arrivals, he’s turning his full attention to trying to neutralise the “debt and deficit” issue. In other words, he’s…
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus – well, yes, when it comes to how they see reasons why there are not more females in the Australian public service’s senior ranks. A report released today on hurdles…
If anyone doubts the shambles into which Australia’s asylum seeker policy has descended, consider this. Boat people sent to Manus Island under an earlier attempted “solution” have now been removed to make…
Kevin Rudd has taken the unusual step of naming his future defence minister - Mike Kelly – in a re-elected Labor government. Kelly, a Rudd supporter in the leadership battle, is highly qualified for the…
Barnaby Joyce is the good boy these days. He’s in the Coalition leadership group and hasn’t voted against his colleagues once in this parliament. But he still holds the record as Parliament’s prime floor…
Prime minister Kevin Rudd and Education Minister Bill Shorten will meet Victorian Premier Denis Napthine today, in a push to get the state to sign up soon to the Better Schools Program. This follows the…
Update: Tuesday Newspoll, Coalition leads Labor on two-party vote 52-48. Kevin Rudd is talking about, and no doubt practising, consultation with his colleagues but in fact the shots are all his to call…
Kevin Rudd has made a minor concession in his sweeping reforms for the future election of Labor leaders, endorsed by a special caucus meeting today. The “trigger” for a leadership spill in opposition will…
Kevin Rudd, who has just experienced political resurrection, professes his strong faith in the supernatural variety in a book on the religious beliefs of Australian prime minister, launched today. Rudd…
With speculation reaching fever pitch about election timing, voters from the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro are strongly urging Kevin Rudd to call the poll quickly. The University of Canberra, in conjunction…
Kevin Rudd has pulled out every available stop to persuade voters that he can stop the boats - not immediately, but eventually. The Australian government has spectacularly outsourced its asylum seeker…
Kevin Rudd has unveiled a dramatic new hard line policy to stop any asylum seekers arriving by boat ever being settled in Australia. Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed an agreement for people arriving…
The big question for the coming weeks is whether voters’ deep and long-held disillusionment with brand Labor will prevail over their enthusiastic re-engagement with its popular leader. Labor has reached…
Chris Bowen had originally booked into the National Press Club today to talk about his just published Hearts & Minds: A Blueprint for Modern Labor. But as he said, instead of having a backbencher spruiking…
The hung parliament is almost done. Surely we won’t see its return to the chambers. If Kevin Rudd wanted to reassemble the parliament before the election, he would need half a dozen cattle dogs to round…
The government has more than financed the $3.8 billion cost of moving early to an Emissions Trading Scheme, with savings including a crackdown on fringe benefits for cars, cuts to the number of senior…
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