‘Invisible’ Canberra Libs chafing at the bit
"It takes just two government ministers to postpone an ACT election. This is an astonishing power. The Assembly is not needed… This extreme power is in place for unusual and disrupting circumstances such as an earthquake. Or perhaps a pandemic!" writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
How Julia Gillard changed Australian politics
Gillard’s misogyny speech and her time as our first woman prime minister changed the way that politics and sexism were talked about in Australia and highlighted the toxic nature of parliament, writes political scientist BLAIR WILLIAMS.
Suddenly green’s the new black for poll hopefuls
"The ACT Greens turned brown ages ago (mix green with Labor red). They have shared government for almost a decade and are part of the problem," writes "Canberra matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
PM slices bureaucracy in enshrining national cabinet
Scott Morrison strengthens his policy power, enshrining national cabinet and giving it “laser-like” focus on jobs, writes MICHELLE GRATTAN.
The blossoming relationship that could lead to reform
The relationship between Christian and Sally can be seen now as a significant contributor to Scott Morrison’s bid, outlined this week, to seek a consensus approach to reforming the industrial relations landscape, writes MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Can Scott Morrison achieve industrial relations disarmament?
The road out of this crisis will be very tough for many people. Extensive reform is often painful. Whether the Australian public will be in the mood for it as they cope with the aftermath of such a trauma is an open question, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
NCA hits the spurs to bar women equestrians
"The manner in which the announcement was made about cancelling access to the North Curtin paddocks is being taken as a condescending act towards the recreational activities of a group of Canberra women," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
Enough excuses, Yvette, time to try harder
"The overall evidence coming from NAPLAN results should be an embarrassment to this government. Toughing it out and making excuses will not help ACT school students," says political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Reality bites as ACT government rests on its laurels
"The fact the ACT government is resting on its laurels is increasingly apparent. Its obsessive mantra that it is the most progressive government in Australia always brings to my mind Bruce Springsteen’s 'Glory Days'," writes columnist JON STANHOPE.
Eden-Monaro byelection set for July 4
Speaker Tony Smith has announced July 4 for the byelection in the Labor NSW seat of Eden-Monaro, which will be the first electoral test between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Morrison: Australian economy must come ‘out of ICU’
The Prime Minister outlines principles that will guide the pursuit of a “JobMaker plan for a new generation of economic success”, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Albo might have said, it’s time to tackle inequality
"We’ve allowed ourselves to become the meat in a sandwich torn between Trump’s schizophrenic US and Emperor Xi Jinping’s China seeking redress for the...
JobKeeper underspend: Widespread calls for it to be broadened
Inevitably the huge looming underspend has intensified the widespread calls for JobKeeper to be broadened, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
What to do about the JobKeeper windfall?
Treasury revises JobKeeper's cost down by massive $60 billion, sparking calls to widen eligibility, reports MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Border wars split political leaders
Who'd be QLD premier Annastacia Palaszczuk right now? asks political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN, as border wars split political leaders and embroil health experts.
NCA rides roughshod over Curtin equestrians
"The North Curtin horse owners are the unacknowledged detritus in yet another of the nasty ACT government’s development deals," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
Failed politics bring on pandemic blame games
"The US is well experienced at blaming others when it comes to the spread of disease. There is significant evidence, for example, that the 1918-19 so-called Spanish flu originated in Kansas," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Morrison’s next steps could be ‘hazardous’
Without the pandemic, Morrison would likely be going into the second year of this parliamentary term in a very sub-optimal position, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Which countries have handled the pandemic poorly?
An overwhelming 90 per cent believe the US has performed badly. The US is rated at the bottom of a list of six countries, also including Singapore, the United Kingdom and Italy, in how well COVID has been handled, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg tested for COVID-19
Frydenberg is being tested for COVID-19 and staying in isolation after having a major coughing fit in the House of Representatives while delivering his statement on the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
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How a tightening of wallets pushed Australia into recession
Most unusually for an economic downturn, incomes rose throughout the quarter, pushed higher by a 6.2 per cent increase in government payments related to COVID-19 and the bushfires, writes PETER MARTIN.
