The mythical truisms of Australian politics
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 State and federal politics Comments Off
What seems to be one enduring legacy of the Howard era has been the decline in political commentary in this country.
Morris Iemma: Political maestro
Friday, 27 June 2008 Political figures Comments Off
Analysis of Iemma’s position suffers too much from seeing him as a victim of fate, rather than also, partly, a maker of it.
A whiff of political decay
Tuesday, 6 May 2008 State of the parties Comments Off
There are a couple of features of Troy Buswell’s farcical tribulations that highlight the state of decay of both major parties, but especially the Liberals. The first is that we are hearing about it.
Doing it the Sydney way – an update
Monday, 5 May 2008 State and federal politics Comments Off
If there is one iron law of internal Labor politics it is that if you need to take it to Conference to win an argument, you have already lost it.
No womb to go back to
Tuesday, 22 January 2008 State of the parties Comments Off
Let’s be blunt. Nelson was not invited to yesterday’s meeting of Liberal state leaders because he was not wanted. But would he have wanted to go anyway? Probably not.
Rudd’s states takeover
Thursday, 10 January 2008 Key posts, State and federal politics Comments Off
Like Rudd’s other actions since 24 November, his new federalism is part of the consolidation of power that was accelerated, but not completed, by the election.
Yes, the Mandarin is serious
Friday, 14 December 2007 International relations Comments Off
Something happened this week that doesn’t happen very often in Australian politics: domestic politics was opened up to the international scene.
Anti-politics clampdown
Monday, 10 December 2007 Tactics Comments Off
Two weeks after taking power the initial restrictions on political activity in the Rudd government are in place.
Maybe Keating was right after all
Thursday, 8 November 2007 Tactics Comments Off
Has the Mandarin lost control of his own campaign?
Rudd’s anti-politics national tour
Tuesday, 2 October 2007 Tactics Comments Off
Anyone thinking the government will be able to make up ground during the campaign will not be encouraged by how it is handling the hospital issue.
