Car crash
Monday, 30 May 2016 Political figures, State of the parties 4 comments
If a car crash is two vehicles heading in the opposite direction on the same track, then we had the definition of it at the leaders’ debate on Sunday night. Both the press and the two leaders are grappling with the same thing but coming at it from completely opposite directions, and despite all the […]
Book review: Niki Savva’s Road to Ruin
Monday, 28 March 2016 Political figures, State of the parties 14 comments
Like a dead fish, a paralysed government soon flips upside down in the water.
An incomplete revolution: Liberal edition
Tuesday, 15 September 2015 Political figures, State of the parties 12 comments
In the spirit of inclusiveness Turnbull looks ready to accommodate all positions except his own.
Leadership watch: Morrison on 730
Friday, 14 August 2015 Political figures 24 comments
Having someone who can telegraph that he is with them in sprit, and maybe notch up at least a few policy successes in practice, might just have to do.
Fraser
Monday, 23 March 2015 Political figures 12 comments
It’s been said that history shouldn’t be read backwards, but that’s the only way it can be done, and the furious re-writing of Fraser’s government, not least by the man himself, naturally says more about the preoccupations and defensiveness of the political scene today than what happened then.
Whitlam
Wednesday, 22 October 2014 Political figures, The Australian state 18 comments
It’s perhaps for the best that Gough’s not around to see the hash they’ll make of it.
Rudd
Thursday, 14 November 2013 Political figures 32 comments
Rudd’s departure does not mean the Australian political system will be any less vulnerable to an anti-political attack either from within or without. It’s just that it is unlikely next time it will be done with such panache.
Unity – an update
Monday, 14 October 2013 Political figures, State of the parties 15 comments
Into a vacuum could step somebody that has never made a point of standing for anything (or behind anyone) in particular. From that angle, Labor might have just found its best candidate.
The Rudd effect
Monday, 1 July 2013 Media analysis, Political figures, Tactics 53 comments
The lack of a convincing reason on the source of Rudd’s popularity, is not because political commentators are thick, but because the answer is uncomfortable.
No solution without revolution
Monday, 18 February 2013 Political figures, State of the parties 42 comments
It will be the breakdown of the factional system that will be the necessary precondition for the return of Rudd, but not sufficient.
