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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Inquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks during Question Time at Parliament House. on March 30, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Cost-of-living woes pose a political catch-22

The Albanese government is caught between not making a bad situation worse and being seen to be doing something as Australians struggle to make ends meet.

Peter Van Onselen

Commentary

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, NCA Newswire, Sunday 26 March 2023.Dominic Perrottet pictured leaving his home.Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer

Longevity in office behind NSW Coalition defeat

Having governed for 12 long years, once Labor offered a viable alternative, voters gave them a chance. It really is that simple.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 22, 2023: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Dutton’s road to power may rely on state result

Peter Dutton needs the NSW Liberal Party machine to remain functional to give himself a shot at government federally.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryInquirer

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 13: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L), US President Joe Biden (C) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) hold a press conference after a trilateral meeting during the AUKUS summit on March 13, 2023 in San Diego, California. President Biden hosts British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in San Diego for an AUKUS meeting to discuss the procurement of nuclear-powered submarines under a pact between the three nations. PIC: PMO

It’s reasonable to question benefits of AUKUS

It’s easy to understand why it suits the Americans to offload some of the security responsibility for containing China. But is that in our interests too?

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryInquirer

A referendum will be held on Voice to Parliament later this year, with the government recently announcing a $9.5m education campaign. Picture: Supplied

Hard sell on constitutional voice risks disaster

I’m growing increasingly concerned that the divisive debate means the referendum may fail. At the heart of such concern is the pursuit of constitutional rather than simple legislative reform.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 6, 2023: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Treasurer Jim Chalmers during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

After another rate hike … what happens next?

The economy is set to dominate the political agenda through 2024, which could be an election year. The voice and climate might become afterthoughts for voters.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryInquirer

Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Labor lacks political courage and guts over super

Both sides rely on virtue-signalling and class warfare rather than doing the heavy lifting of much-needed economic reform.

Peter Van Onselen

CommentaryPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers hold a press conference at Parliament house in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

What happens next in PM, Chalmers pantomime?

Tensions are running high between Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers at the moment. Each feels that the other is putting self-interest ahead of the national interest.

Peter Van Onselen

COMMENTARYInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 22, 2023: Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese made his first address of the year to the National Press Club of Australia, in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Labor leaders guilty of super-sized hypocrisy

They knew exactly what they were doing: win the election via Graham Richardson’s ‘whatever it takes’ before switching gears.

Peter Van Onselen

commentaryCommentary

Tuesday 21st February 2023. The Australian.Roshena Campbell, elected as Liberal candidate for Aston with Liberal leader Peter Dutton.Photograph by Arsineh Houspian.

Aston by-election a test for both PM and Dutton

If Dutton’s candidate loses, the knives will be out for him but if Labor loses, it will set a tone ahead of the budget which might change the political narrative.

Peter Van Onselen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/peter-van-onselen/page/9