Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly is author of The Game: A Portrait of Scott Morrison, a regular columnist and a former adviser to Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.
Opinion
Political leadership
The biggest gift to Shorten’s legacy is one Labor doesn’t have on its side
Bill Shorten didn’t convince voters that his changes to negative gearing and capital gains were needed, but the government shouldn’t assume this means they can never be persuaded.
- by Sean Kelly
Latest
Opinion
Political leadership
Wanted: A Labor leader capable of capturing the imagination of voters
It’s been 37 years since Hawke promised to lift children out of poverty. In chasing the middle vote, it’s hard to imagine a politician doing the same today.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
The Dutton tipping point: Will we allow the next election to be all about race?
The opposition leader’s proposed blanket ban on Gazans coming to Australia raised the political stakes considerably, but do we really want an election campaign built on the politics of race?
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
The price of a life? Don’t tell me, at all costs
We expect our leaders to make life and death decisions all the time. Just spare us the unvarnished rationale.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
If this government is forgettable, Albanese is counting on you remembering the last one
An already defensive government may be entering an even more defensive phase in the run-up to the federal election. That will have its risks for Labor, but also for the Coalition.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
ALP
Payman saga shows Labor can’t have its caucus, and eat it too
Fatima Payman has given up her chance to challenge the way Labor Party democracy currently works, and that’s a pity.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
Who knew? Governments do better when they actually govern
Rather than talking about policies that may never be, Labor was able to spend the week talking about tax cuts, wage rises and power bill rebates taking effect.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
Dutton’s nuclear non-policy sets a new low for political debate
The opposition leader called it “bold” and “visionary”, but his policy seems born of cowardice – namely his refusal to confront divisions on climate in the Coalition.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Renewables
Why Dutton’s energy switch may help Albanese keep Labor’s lights on
Time is not on Peter Dutton’s side as the prime minister moves to more solid ground on climate policy.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Racism
A play called Julia made me furious – about the national debates we keep stifling
We need to talk about misogyny, racism and much more. It doesn’t help when even the ABC is intimidated.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
Political leadership
As Albanese beats around the bush, Dutton’s delusions are taking root
Everyone’s avoiding the difficult issues, and that’s good news for Peter Dutton and his simplistic “policy” solutions.
- by Sean Kelly
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/sean-kelly-h1d26a