The budget has come under fire on various fronts – for example, the wage subsidy for younger workers carries the risk of being rorted, and there’s criticism about the lack of assistance for older workers, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
While Albanese is not putting this as a commitment for the election, he promises he will later announce a comprehensive plan a Labor government would undertake for building and repairing social housing, writes MICHELLE GRATTAN.
This is an extraordinary giveaway budget, driven by desperate circumstances that would have been inconceivable less than a year ago, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
It’s also the most difficult period to be an opposition. In contrast to Morrison, Anthony Albanese is struggling to find any political chances, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Federal Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy has admitted some covid deaths in aged care might have been prevented if there had been a quicker public health response, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Many of Andrews’ strongest critics are those who believe the economy and people’s livelihoods have not received sufficient consideration generally in the pandemic, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Much of the gas plan is broad and aspirational at this stage. But the threat is specific enough, and Morrison adopted a grim, school teacher tone when he delivered it in his speech at Newcastle unveiling the policy, writes federal political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Morrison government threatens to use Snowy Hydro to build gas generator, as it outlines "gas-fired recovery" plan, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
It was taking things to an extreme to refuse to allow her to be with her mother and 11-year-old sister at the funeral. Some requirement for distancing and subsequent testing of attendees surely would have been adequate, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Morrison is flagging he’ll pull out whatever stops he can to prod Victoria to speed up its journey to COVID-safe activity in that state, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.