May 2024
The Coalition swings back to the immigration playbook
The irony is that Peter Dutton of all people should understand how complicated migration numbers really are.
GST and gas show a government that’s still out of tune
A huge GST handout to WA and a report that gives a free pass to the state’s gas industry show how far parochial toadying in the west will go.
January 2024
Wetland or ocean wind farm? The choice is easy this time
There’s little chance of Victoria ever building its offshore turbines. But this week’s veto of the state’s plans contained an important precedent on the use of net zero in the environment legislation.
July 2023
A light tap on the door of uni opportunity
The recommendation from the review of universities, to help disadvantaged students, just scratches the surface of broader reform of Australia’s higher education sector.
January 2023
Letters: Pointing to Morrison’s flaws is no sledge
Scott Morrison deserved censure; standards for future housing; Voice can do no harm; tackling agricultural emissions; gas is not a transit fuel; Laura Tingle’s views on climate change.
December 2022
Scott Morrison wanted secret ministry for FIRB powers
The former prime minister sought secret authority over the treasury portfolio to give himself final say on foreign investment proposals, undercutting Josh Frydenberg.
Labor heads into the new year with a burst of energy
Voters are so far positive about the Albanese government, even though its power bill relief and other policy initiatives tend to lack political razzmatazz.
Why stop now? There’s a lot more ScoMo can be censured for
Beyond the multiple ministries, there are plenty of other skeletons in the former PM’s cupboard.
Letters: Some comfort in the censure
Scott Morrison censure motion; east coast gas reservation; every change isn’t reform; David Pocock’s IR bill role; insurance and climate-induced disasters.
November 2022
Morrison deserves censure, but not the pile-on
Scott Morrison deserved to be censured by parliament. But Labor and the media now need to move on from their obsession with the former prime minister.
Defiant Morrison censured for secret portfolios
Scott Morrison has apologised for not disclosing his secret ministries but argued three of the five were warranted.
Morrison to be censured, but Coalition won’t join in
Former prime minister Scott Morrison will be censured by parliament this week, but his Coalition colleagues believe the move is gratuitous.
Morrison’s multiple ministries fated to remain a mystery
It’s now even harder to fathom why Scott Morrison thought this was a good idea. But the tactical gift to Labor is clear enough.
Bell report reveals Morrison’s ‘cult of secrecy’ and sixth portfolio bid
Anthony Albanese hasn’t ruled out a parliamentary censure of Scott Morrison over his predecessor’s multiple ministries.
October 2022
Morrison’s extra roles ‘invalid’: former High Court judge
Former High Court justice Bill Gummow disagrees with the solicitor-general on the legality of Scott Morrison’s extra portfolios
September 2022
Morrison probe seeks public submissions
An inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison’s secret self-appointments to several ministries is taking submissions.
August 2022
Judge to examine Morrison secret ministries, including role of GG
Scott Morrison could be dragged before an inquiry with the same powers as a Royal Commission if he declines to cooperate with an independent probe.
Morrison’s secret appointments are a slippery slope
Levels of political trust in Australia are among the lowest in the world and this latest saga will not help matters.
Labor must focus on voters, not hounding Morrison
There is an accountability and political dividend from the three probes into the Morrison era. But the main game for voters today is the cost of living.
Kyiv hit by missiles, Ukraine official says
A new missile attack confirmed to have hit Kyiv; 22 Ukraine civilians were killed, train set alight in missile strike yesterday; US to let students cancel up to $US10,000 in loans. How the day unfolded.