The last thing they need are ideas
Wednesday, 29 October 2008 Key posts, State of the parties Comments Off on The last thing they need are ideas
Peter Van Onselen is clearly miffed that not only could Julie Bishop not be bothered writing an essay for his collection “Liberals and Power: The Road Ahead”, but neither could the staffer she dumped the job onto …
The Day The Right Died
Monday, 27 October 2008 Key posts, State of the parties Comments Off on The Day The Right Died
The public stoning of Dr Henry in Wednesday’s Senate hearing and George Brandis’s bizarre behaviour on Lateline on Friday shows that the coalition had more in mind than political point-scoring last week.
A witch-hunt to hide behind
Thursday, 23 October 2008 Tactics Comments Off on A witch-hunt to hide behind
The Australian may be making the right point that somewhere along the line, the RBA Governor probably did state the obvious, i.e. that banking guarantees distort the financial markets. But Turnbull’s disastrous appearance on The 7.30 Report last night is a reminder that politically it’s a stupid point to pursue.
Air-bag economics
Wednesday, 22 October 2008 Tactics Comments Off on Air-bag economics
Australian politics is in a strange position at moment. It has been realigned in step with what has gone on in the US and Europe, but without the direct pain of getting there.
Finance and weak governments don’t mix
Monday, 20 October 2008 State of the parties Comments Off on Finance and weak governments don’t mix
Opinion polls suggest Australia is being run by the most popular government since Hawke’s early days. And there is little doubt that handing out $10.4bn will make it more so (this is even after ignoring the latest bounce to Labor in the AC Nielsen which is just a reversal of the mythical Turnbull bounce it reported last time).
Yet popular does not mean strong.
… if there is one thing Rudd knows how to do, it is to make his highly popular actions look like brave statesmanship.
However, behind this, Turnbull put his finger on two weaknesses that may come back to cause problems for the government.
Rudd’s Howard moment
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 Tactics Comments Off on Rudd’s Howard moment
It is always nice to see pensioners and low income earners get a hand-out. Indeed it is a shame that we had to wait for a financial crisis for it to happen. But it makes little sense from the way the government has described the economic situation.
Rudd steps into the maelstrom
Monday, 13 October 2008 Tactics Comments Off on Rudd steps into the maelstrom
Rudd is facing the same problem other governments are facing. In looking to be decisive, he is forced to act and talk in a way that undermines confidence further.
Rats and Liberals give Rudd gravitas
Friday, 10 October 2008 Tactics Comments Off on Rats and Liberals give Rudd gravitas
It is not hard to appear like a statesman against such histrionics.
Turnbull: A rich man’s Nelson
Monday, 6 October 2008 Political figures Comments Off on Turnbull: A rich man’s Nelson
Is the penny starting to drop about Turnbull?
