Big time, small time
Wednesday, 4 February 2009 Tactics 5 comments
We are not looking at the return of Whitlam, nor even as Rudd asserts, social democracy.
Culture wars bores
Friday, 9 January 2009 The Australian state 7 comments
Greer seems to be demanding that a zany film director and a screen actress do what she can’t – make a coherent political point.
The tragic fate of a modern Conservative leader
Friday, 7 March 2008 Key posts, Political figures Comments Off
Howard’s problem was that not only had the union movement clearly had its day but we also had here a Labor Prime Minister to tell everyone the fact.
Libs light a candle for Keating
Friday, 1 February 2008 State of the parties Comments Off
If there is anywhere where the Keating agenda is more alive it is in those blue ribbon Liberal seats that backed the republic in 1999 and stood so solidly behind the party last November.
Denial
Tuesday, 4 December 2007 Media analysis Comments Off
Those who spent most of the year denying that a change of government was coming are now starting to deny one has happened.
The last gasp of old men
Saturday, 27 October 2007 Key posts, Political figures Comments Off
One of the many fascinating features of this election is to see the return of the former PM’s Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke and Keating to kick Howard as he goes down. Especially amusing was to read Whitlam and Fraser launch an attack on Howard’s undermining of Westminster tradition of ministerial accountability. Give us a break.
The state of the parties – the ALP
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 State of the parties Comments Off
Keating’s solution during his last term was a project to create a more assertive and independent Australian nationalism based on three R’s; reconciliation, regionalism and republicanism. In reality much of it was about boosting the stature of the political class – rehabilitating it over past mistakes (the ‘sorry’ campaigns) and aggrandising it through the republican push.
A cheesy soap opera with no plot
Friday, 20 July 2007 Political figures Comments Off
For Costello, the chances of him becoming leader (if he ever wanted it) are probably over.
Asia: the last refuge of scoundrels
Saturday, 16 June 2007 Tactics Comments Off
No one in this country likes to say it, but international politics determines the parameters of Australian political debate. It is the government’s falling out of step with the shift in the global agenda that has been the ultimate source of its problems this electoral cycle.
Why they will never forgive Keating
Friday, 8 June 2007 Key posts, State of the parties Comments Off
Keating is disowned by the political class because he reminds them that their traditional roles are over and their domestic differences are largely a sham.
