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An opinion writer for The Courier Mail, Mike provides valuable insight and analysis about Queensland’s political environment.

Mike O'Connor

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AnalysisMike O'Connor

Annastacia Palaszczuk and David Crisafulli.

Good and bad news for leaders locked in race for premier

Love her or dislike her, Annastacia Palaszczuk has political presence, which is more than can be said for her opponent, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (R) pictured promoting the YES23 Voice referendum with fellow Queensland Ministers Grace grace and Leeanne Enoch Picture Instagram

Palaszczuk’s Treaty backflip was self-survival at its most primal

Once again ringmaster Palaszczuk has take to the trapeze and dazzled the audience with a series of perfectly executed backflips, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor

A man holds his baby in the crowd as BrisbaneÃs jewish community held a peaceful gathering in the Roma Street Parklands in support of Israel. Picture Lachie Millard

Silence of some on Israel shows how wokeism is broke

Civil libertarians claim anti-Semitic demonstrators have a right to protest, but when you incite people to murder Australian citizens, you lose that freedom, writes Mike O’Connor.

Mike O'Connor

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos SEPTEMBER 28 2023. Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese poses for a photo on stage with Yes Campaign co-chair Rachel Perkins, veteran journalist Ray Martin and Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne, at The West Says Yes event at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville, in support of the indigenous voice to parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Even one of Ray Martin’s dinosaurs like me can spot bad government

While every Tom, Ray and Harry has been banging on about the Voice referendum, the Palaszczuk government has been quietly excelling itself – not, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA - Newswire Photos OCTOBER 2ND 2023 : The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in Melbourne today visiting Gumboots Early Learning Jacksons Hill, Sunbury. PICTURE : NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

From a distance, I no longer recognise my Australia

There’s not much joy returning from holiday to a country whose government once promised a new way in politics but instead has delivered cynical, self-serving cronyism, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor

***EMBARGOED UNTIL SUNDAY 3rd Sept 12.01am ***, : Aussie music legend John Farnham has lent his iconic anthem You’re the Voice to the Yes camp in support of the Voice to parliament. The track will be featured in the History is Calling campaign that will air on TV and the internet across the country in thel ead up to the October 14 referendum. Picture: Supplied

Opinion: ‘Aussie’ anthem is being used to divide our nation

Unfortunately the Voice referendum has created Them and Us and no amount of ad nauseam playing of John Farnham’s anthemic song will change that, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor

BRISBANE AUSTRALIA 24/08/2023 Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during question time at Queensland Parliament.Picture: NcaNewsWire/Glenn Campbell

Vultures are gathering as Palaszczuk faces her demise

The Palaszczuk government is like a punch-drunk prize fighter, taking wild policy swings on issues such as youth crime, population growth and infrastructure needs as if they occurred yesterday, writes Mike O’Connor.

OpinionMike O'Connor