From healthcare to drug laws to deregulation, the South Australian government has spent the year keeping a low-profile between disappointments.
At every point of the compass, the Australian Liberal Party seems to be eating its own.
With election defeats in Western Australia and Queensland, scandals in Tasmania, a total wipeout at the Victorian state election and the New South Wales premier telling reporters she would rather not be seen on the campaign trail with her counterparts, times are not good for the party of the centre-right.
As Alexander Downer blames voters for the troubles of the Liberal Party (including the failure to elect his daughter in the Mayo byelection), he should think about looking a little closer to home.
Liberal politics-as-usual isn’t good enough in Mayo
Even if the Libs runs a smarter campaign at the general election, its former heartland seat looks set to be in Rebekha Sharkie’s hands for a long time yet.
Rundle: on Elizabeth, the town Australia failed
The city of Elizabeth, South Australia, stands as an exemplar of lost possibilities; of what could have been but was squandered.
Crikey Worm: Palestinian baby among those killed by IDF
Good morning, early birds. A child only eight months old is reportedly among the most recent victims of Israeli violence. Plus, the foreign interference laws so broad, you might end up on a special government register. It's the news you need to know, with Chris Woods.
Poll Bludger: TGIF! Except for Labor, who could have a horrible weekend.
This weekend, Labor finds itself threatened in places it could confidently have regarded as its electoral heartland just a few years ago.
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