Our complacency puts us at risk
Is Australia any better placed in a tactical sense to stop or respond to vehicle attacks like we have seen in New Orleans? Absolutely not.
Commentary
Trump tariffs are more about the ‘art of the deal’ than economics
Donald Trump appears to regard tariffs as a political and geo-strategic weapon as much as an instrument of economic protection of local industries. For him, it’s really all about negotiation.
Jimmy Carter left mark of integrity on White House and beyond
The 39th US president was a humble man of dignity, civility and integrity who served his country and the world.
Chalmers will want to exit this horrid 2024 as soon as he can
Jim Chalmers’ promise of better times ahead for Australians is arguable. In some ways 2025 will be a better year economically than 2024, but such predictions should be tempered with reality.
Hypocrisy, bad taste and other follies of 2024
On New Year’s Day 2024, morale was relatively high since the Year of the Dragon was expected to usher in a time of rational thinking. Not quite how it worked out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/commentary/page/3