Peter Brent writes regularly on politics and polls for Inside Story. He tweets on electoral matters at @mumbletwits.
National affairs
How to kill a leadership
Peter Brent
6 August 2018
Under pressure, the prime minister should consider the case of Kevin Michael Rudd
National affairs
Jumping at shadows
Peter Brent
31 July 2018
If anything, Labor’s stocks have declined in recent weeks. Focusing on by-election victories won’t change that
National affairs
Not-so-great expectations
Peter Brent
29 July 2018
Deft management and misleading polls helped turn Super Saturday into a public relations coup for Labor
National affairs
Why these by-elections matter
Peter Brent
27 July 2018
The votes are tomorrow, and here’s what matters and what doesn’t
National affairs
Careful what he wishes for
Peter Brent
19 July 2018
Tony Abbott is an unwelcome presence — for the government at least — amid the tangle of by-elections on 28 July
National affairs
Who’ll get the bloody nose in Longman?
Peter Brent
11 July 2018
Can Susan Lamb repeat her flukish 2016 win?
National affairs
Niche politics
Peter Brent
3 July 2018
It’s a battle to get noticed by Australia’s small group of Trumpian voters, but David Leyonhjelm might have worked out how
National affairs
Captain’s pick
Peter Brent
29 June 2018
We could be voting early — but for not quite the reasons you might expect
National affairs
Big target
Peter Brent
22 June 2018
Is being seen as the likely winner becoming a problem for Labor?
National affairs
Poll positions
Peter Brent
21 June 2018
Pollsters need to be wary of over-enthusiastic clients
National affairs
Losing a by-election is as easy as ABC
Peter Brent
18 June 2018
The Liberal Party’s national council has just made the government’s job that little bit harder
National affairs
Beyond the morally indefensible status quo
Peter Brent
4 June 2018
It’s time to think outside the square on asylum seekers
National affairs
Super Saturday fever
Peter Brent
25 May 2018
The starter’s gun has gone off, provoking its own blast of controversy
National affairs
Yes, section 44 can be fixed
Peter Brent
17 May 2018
The parliamentary report on dual citizenship was barely out before the government rejected its key recommendation. It’s time for some lateral thinking
National affairs
The Longman and Shorten of it
Peter Brent
14 May 2018
Of the four upcoming by-elections in Labor-held seats, Susan Lamb faces the closest contest
National affairs
Budget blues
Peter Brent
8 May 2018
Don’t spend too much time looking for a post-budget bounce. It won’t happen — or it’ll be over well before the election
National affairs
Swan song
Peter Brent
3 May 2018
Could Labor lose the federal seat of Perth?
National affairs
Going with the flow
Peter Brent
2 May 2018
Do parties really “give” their preferences to each other?
National affairs
Life, death and the pollsters’ art
Peter Brent
25 April 2018
Newspoll’s revised figures suggest that Malcolm Turnbull did better last year than we thought. It’s another reason to give up our obsession with polls
National affairs
What’s in a name?
Peter Brent
19 April 2018
What went wrong when Family First was absorbed by the Australian Conservatives — and what does it say about how people vote?
National affairs
Costello redux?
Peter Brent
5 April 2018
The former treasurer rode a worldwide economic boom to fame; now there are calls for his return to parliament
National affairs
Small world
Peter Brent
28 March 2018
Would a stronger prime minister pull Peter Dutton into line?
National affairs
Super Saturday’s electoral uncertainties
Peter Brent
16 March 2018
With third parties playing a big role, this weekend’s votes in Melbourne and South Australia are unusually hard to pick
National affairs
Why the ABC was right — eventually
Peter Brent
19 February 2018
The mystery is why Emma Alberici’s article was published in the first place
National affairs
The Coalition goes existential
Peter Brent
17 February 2018
The week’s events raise the age-old mystery: exactly what is this strange beast?
National affairs
In Batman, the known unknowns provide plenty of uncertainty
Peter Brent
8 February 2018
The battle for the inner-Melbourne seat is no ordinary by-election for Labor
National affairs
Are we overthinking referendums?
Peter Brent
2 February 2018
Conventional wisdom advises against holding referendums at election time. Conventional wisdom is wrong
National affairs
Labor’s turn?
Peter Brent
19 January 2018
Is a Shorten prime ministership just a matter of time?
National affairs
Peter Dutton for prime minister!
Peter Brent
12 January 2018
With the right team, the next election could bury race-based campaigning once and for all
National affairs
Bennelong break
Peter Brent
18 December 2017
A temporary reprieve for Malcolm Turnbull was also a reminder of Bill Shorten’s limitations
© 2025 Inside Story and contributors | ISSN 1837-0497