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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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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 26, 2021: Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets CSL staff working on the COVID vaccine while he tours the company's facility in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw - POOL via NCA NewsWire

The botched rollout could spell doom for PM

What was the Morrison government thinking when it decided to take charge and own the vaccine rollout all by itself?

Peter Van Onselen

commentaryInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL, 07, 2021: Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

‘Pragmatist’ PM can’t rely on more politics over policy

Few leaders have experienced the extremes. The nation is still working out what Scott Morrison stands for as a leader.

Peter Van Onselen and WAYNE ERRINGTON

commentaryInquirer

Liberal party staffer Brittany Higgins (left) who has made shocking claims that she was raped whilst in the defence industry minister's office in Parliament House, Canberra after a Friday night drinking session in March 2019 With Michaelia Cash (right). Social Media Image

Plenty of anger, but surprisingly few ideas

In the sex assault debate, the focus has been on outrages rather than solutions. For the groundswell to lead to tangible outcomes, that’s going to have to change.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 30, 2021: The Governor-General David Hurley, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison conduct a swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Forget gender: will the new ministry work?

While the fate of women has understandably been the focus of the cabinet reshuffle, is the Coalition now in a stronger position?

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 29, 2021: Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Foreign Affairs , Marise Ann Payne hold a press conference at Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Reports of PM’s demise greatly exaggerated

Scott Morrison’s personal approval rating plummeted seven points in the latest Newspoll … but don’t for a moment think that means he can’t win the next election.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYCommentary

The Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison is seen participating in the inaugural Quad leaders meeting with the President of the United States Joe Biden, the Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in a virtual meeting in Sydney, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AAP Image/Pool/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

ScoMo’s surprise silver lining in poll plunge

It’s been the worst political month imaginable for Scott Morrison … yet there’s a very good reason why he remains favourite to win the next election.

Peter Van Onselen

commentaryInquirer

Cabinet photo at the 2019 Coalition government swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

PM hasn’t even taken first step to enforce change

The six-letter world Liberals have near universally rejected as a solution to their ‘women’s problem’ is now long overdue.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House on March 23, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. The federal government was yesterday set back by new allegationsÃÂ broadcastÃÂ by the Ten Network after pixelated images of unnamed Coalition advisers allegedly engaging in performing lewd sex acts on the desks of female MPs resulting in a Morrison staff member being sacked last night. Additionally, the ABC Network aired a first hand account by an Australian Parliament security guard of what she witnessed on the night Brittany Higgins was allegedly raped in the office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds in early 2019. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Enough words … it’s time for action

As a country, we are only going to move on from what has been revealed in recent weeks if actions follow; if reforms are put in place.

Peter Van Onselen

Images sharedPolitics

Australian Parliament House, the meeting place of the Parliament of Australia at night - twilight. Long-time exposure. Capital Hill, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Coalition staffer sacked over sex acts

Coalition adviser who filmed himself performing lewd act on desk of MP he worked for has been sacked, as PM describes behaviour as ‘sickening’.

Peter Van Onselen

commentaryInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA NewsWire Photos MARCH 18 2021: Prime Minister Scott Morrison with The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Morrison’s path forward must include extensive reforms

At the macro level, it is easy to see why the Coalition wants to rein in spending like JobKeeper. But at the micro level, are voters ready?

Peter Van Onselen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/peter-van-onselen/page/23