Divided state Libs pick leader who’ll boost Dutton’s hopes
Brad Battin’s ascension to the leadership on the third attempt is a triumph of persistence over the toxic malaise that has gripped the Victorian party for decades.
Commentary
New year holds no joy for Labor as rot sets in
As the curtain falls on a troubled year for the federal Labor government, and the country, minority government remains the best outcome it can hope for at the next election.
From history to memoir, the must-reads of 2025
In 2025, a year for state and federal elections, many notable books will be published that you should list now for future reading.
Why cashed-up Labor refuses to stand up to the CFMEU and Cbus
Following the money is a useful guide to understanding what is going on in the public square. The revelations about the CFMEU and Cbus are really the tip of the iceberg.
It’s time; Pesutto urged to resign for sake of the state
John Pesutto launched a Hail Mary bid to save his leadership on Sunday – but it’s too late.
Party leader fast running out of options … and time
John Pesutto’s leadership is in freefall. He can hang on but with each crisis this looks increasingly unlikely.
Ugly truth on outlook reveals profligate choices on spending
The budget update reveals the growing credibility gap between what Jim Chalmers says and what he does.
Chalmers’ legacy a decade of deficits
The spending frenzy by federal and state governments is putting the country’s long-term credit rating at risk and setting up future generations for failure.
Real big spender from minute he walked in the joint
MYEFO shows spend and tax is in Labor’s DNA. But there are no Peter Walshes or Paul Keatings to take an axe to excessive spending.
In politics, the ‘modern moderate’ is a con
If a political moderate advocates an idea, they will claim to be our moral saviour. If a political moderate disagrees with an idea, they will routinely deride the proponent of the idea as a moral reprobate.
Don’t be fooled by Treasurer’s budget spin
If you don’t immediately pick up the flight from Labor’s fiscal spin twins, you’ll lose your bearings – and your stumps.
Both leaders on notice: Voters in pain demand a way out
Employers in the inner-cities, regions and outer-suburbs will spend the Christmas break worried if they can keep afloat and provide job security for workers.
Black Rednecks and White Liberals: our pollies’ revealing summer reading lists
Jim Chalmers is turning to Tony Blair for leadership insights while frequent flyer Bridget McKenzie will crack the spine on Joe Aston. Our politicians’ literary choices speak volumes about their year.
Anti-nuclear Bowen stuck in a fantasy world of his own
Chris Bowen refuses to acknowledge what’s going on in virtually every developed economy around the world and some developing ones too.
Low-risk Chalmers opts for continuity and change on RBA boards
The RBA’s new interest-rate setting board should have been done and dusted a year ago, but Canberra’s bare-knuckle politics got in the way.
All eyes on Jim as PM seeks an economic fix
Jim Chalmers’s luck has run out, as Anthony Albanese turns to him to reverse the government’s fortunes and get it back on-message months out from a tight federal election.
Powering up for a poll – but it will be all about prices
Peter Dutton’s nuclear promise won’t win him the election, with voters struggling to think past next month let alone what might happen in 2050.
Crisafulli’s night of the long knives looms for Labor luvvies
David Crisafulli is preparing to axe Labor luvvies from government boards, while Peter Dutton’s own MPs were kept in the dark on the federal Opposition Leader’s nuclear nuts and bolts.
Climate wars now are economic; this political contest is one without precedent
The climate war is no longer a dispute between the left and the right. It is now an economic war. An ideological contest over how to get to where most people now accept is desirable.
Tweet revenge over a bumbling politician who panicked
John Pesutto will be known as the politician who was panicked by a tweet, got his facts wrong, changed his mind in court, infuriated a judge and gave long, unresponsive answers.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/commentary