Peter Van Onselen

Dr Peter van Onselen has been the Contributing Editor at The Australian since 2009. He is also a professor of politics and public policy at the University of Western Australia and was appointed its foundation chair of journalism in 2011. Peter has been awarded a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours, a Master of Commerce, a Master of Policy Studies and a PhD in political science. Peter is the author or editor of six books, including four best sellers. His biography on John Howard was ranked by the Wall Street Journal as the best biography of 2007. Peter has won Walkley and Logie awards for his broadcast journalism and a News Award for his feature and opinion writing.

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 16, 2023: Treasurer Jim Chalmers during a press conference in Parliament House in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Super doesn’t need a voice to parliament

It sometimes feels like politicians don’t understand that the money in our super portfolios isn’t theirs to play with.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe at Parliament House on February 07, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. The political year intensified in Canberra with focus expected on the debate around the Voice to Parliament, a referendum that would create a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their lives. (Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Parties hold the power in defective system

The Senate is far from perfect but giving major parties more power to replace defecting senators is not the way to fix it. They should do a better job of vetting them in the first place.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY, 7, 2023: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to Labor party members in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Cost of living pot shots fired unfairly at Albanese

Governments can walk and chew gum at the same time. Despite recent focus on the voice, the cost of living crisis is understood all too well by the PM.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYInquirer

Former member for Kooyong Josh Frydenberg with his wife Amie during the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybalenka of Kazakhstan in the WomenÃs Singles Final on Rod Laver Arena, Day 13 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Saturday, January 28, 2023. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ AARON FRANCIS

Frydenberg’s return isn’t in Aston: Ryan may be a one-term wonder

The ex treasurer can win back his former seat of Kooyong at the next election, in no small part courtesy of the controversies involving teal independent Monique Ryan.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYPolitics

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, JANUARY 23, 2022. Leader of the Federal opposition Peter Dutton at the Long Island Point Fractionation Plant in Hastings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Why 2023 is built for a Coalition comeback

While the times may suit Anthony Albanese’s consensus style of leadership, it’s possible economic woes suit Peter Dutton’s capacity to stoke fear and loathing.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos JANUARY 25, 2023: Treasurer Jim Chalmers spoke to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Chalmers makes a small splash in our shallow politics

The Treasurer’s essay about changing capitalism was more about shoring up his political support as a future Labor leader rather than redrawing the global economic system.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryCommentary

Canberra, November 17, 2004. New Minister for Workforce Participation Peter Dutton during question time in the House of Representatives chamber at Parliament House Canberra today. (AAP Image/Alan Porritt) NO ARCHIVING

Interest rate blueprint Dutton can turn to

As the assistant treasurer in the aftermath of the 2004 election, Peter Dutton witnessed the way Kevin Rudd reminded voters John Howard ‘broke’ his promise to keep rates low.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryInquirer

Mobile GP Doctors after hours caravan at Fairfield Hospital grounds. Photographed 3rd August 2018. (AAP IMAGE/Matthew Vasilescu)

Tax overhaul the key to Medicare reform

Covid made a bad situation even worse, and things won’t improve if government doesn’t fix the system.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese attends the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Fraught year ahead needs leaders, not politics

But this requires politicians to step away from the “team red, team blue” mentality, journalists to stop horserace political coverage and voters need to park their self-interest gene.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryCommentary

Ageing doesn’t have to tax the system

If aged care is to be funded adequately then the tax-and-spend system needs a substantial, wider overhaul.

Peter Van Onselen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/peter-van-onselen/page/10