Federal Politics

As an exemplar of calm reason and restraint,Peter Dutton is about as convincing as Tony Abbott would be leading Sydney's ...

When words fail

Peter Dutton found himself in unfamiliar territory this week, cast as the victim of the "tricky language" of Bill Shorten.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaking at the NSW Liberal Party State Council meeting in October.

Slowly but unsurely, Turnbull picks his way forward

A handful of wins towards the end of the year have rescued the Turnbull government from the near certainty of a difficult summer, but progress must be maintained if the government is to recover its balance and make something of 2017.

Former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Julia Gillard.

Keating not the architect of reform

A close examination shows that Keating was not primarily responsible for any of the major reforms that contributed to Australia's lauded economic growth.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

Playing to prejudices does politicians no credit

The initial shock of Donald Trump's election win has already given way to a second-wave effect in Australia, with policymakers adjusting their stances, toughening their rhetoric, playing to prejudices once discredited.

Malcolm Turnbull is on your side, and feels your pain. He understands how you feel – heavens he was poor and insecure ...

Moonshine for the disenchanted

That whining noise in the background this week was mostly from politicians and businessmen trying to pretend that they have "got" the message from the election of Donald Trump as US President, and about what it means for Australians whom they have pissed-off.