National affairs
12 February 2015
Other leaders have overcome bigger setbacks, writes Norman Abjorensen. But the signs aren’t good
National affairs
8 February 2015
Eighteen PMs or premiers have been forcibly removed since 1970, writes Rodney Tiffen. In just two cases, the result was a clear win at the following election
National affairs
3 February 2015
Australia’s conservative parties have always struggled to balance their priorities with the need for broader electoral appeal, writes Norman Abjorensen.…
Podcasts
22 January 2015
The Coalition lost in Victoria and looks like doing less well than expected in Queensland and New South Wales. Peter Clarke discusses why, and what it says about the…
Books & arts
8 January 2015
Books | John Howard’s view of the Menzies years is partial in important respects, but he offers a valuable perspective on an important period
National affairs
15 December 2014
One hundred years ago Joseph Cook made a mess of being prime minister. The parallels with today are striking, writes Norman Abjorensen
National affairs
11 December 2014
Being in government is a chance to make the case that you’re a world-class economic manager, writes Peter Brent. Labor forgot that fact and will keep suffering the results
National affairs
9 December 2014
A lean field of leadership contenders could help the prime minister hang onto his job, writes Norman Abjorensen
National affairs
5 December 2014
The budget’s shortcomings don’t end with the fairness problem, writes Tim Colebatch
National affairs
28 November 2014
The polls are showing how far the Coalition has drifted from the mainstream, writes Peter Browne. The problems go back to well before the May budget
National affairs
21 November 2014
The challenges of dealing with a fragmented Palmer United Party are a reminder that the major parties are struggling with low levels of primary support, writes Peter Brent
National affairs
18 November 2014
In the long run, the enemy of my enemy isn’t always my friend, writes Norman Abjorensen. It’s a mistake that’s proving costly for the Liberals
National affairs
30 October 2014
Opposing changes to the GST is unlikely to benefit Labor’s election prospects
Books & arts
27 October 2014
Dick Hamer’s election as Victorian Liberal leader was a seachange in the state’s politics and culture, writes Judith Brett
National affairs
12 August 2014
Labor and the Coalition are caught between vying for the middle ground and differentiating themselves in the political marketplace. Behind it all, there’s one vital…
National affairs
5 June 2014
There’s a worrying thread running through decisionmaking in Canberra, writes Rodney Tiffen
National affairs
22 May 2014
Poorly judged preselections are a problem for both major parties, writes Paul Rodan, and the electoral implications are becoming clearer
National affairs
14 May 2014
This week’s budget raises the question of whom the Liberal Party now represents, writes Norman Abjorensen
National affairs
24 December 2013
Like his recent predecessors, Tony Abbott came to office without a clear mandate, writes Peter Browne. That’s turned out to be bad politics and bad for the Liberal Party
National affairs
5 December 2013
The gulf between the views of the public and the ABC’s vocal critics is large and growing, writes Rodney Tiffen
National affairs
27 November 2013
The politics of the ageing electorate is complicating government responses to the ageing society, writes Rodney Tiffen
National affairs
10 September 2013
Despite the pundits, it won’t be business as usual under the Coalition, says Norman Abjorensen. But the Senate will determine much of the style and rate of change
Essays & reportage
20 August 2013
Has Labor’s campaign taken a fatal turn? History shows that divided control of campaign messages can be a disaster, writes Stephen Mills
National affairs
7 March 2013
Do all Labor voters prefer the Greens to the Liberals? Do National Party voters opt for the Liberals if their own party isn’t running? What evidence we have suggests the…
National affairs
31 January 2013
For more than a quarter of a century, short election campaigns have been the norm, writes Norman Abjorensen. Julia Gillard’s announcement recalls longer, and…
National affairs
4 September 2012
It looks likely that the Greens will still hold the balance of power in the Senate after the next election. Norman Abjorensen looks at the numbers and asks: how would…
From the archive
25 July 2012
The Liberals’ innovative 1949 election campaign offered voters an alternative worldview
National affairs
8 May 2012
Was it the economics or the politics of John Hewson’s Fightback! strategy that failed, asks Norman Abjorensen
National affairs
5 April 2012
The Liberals have displaced Labor as Australia’s tribal political force, writes Norman Abjorensen, and that makes Malcolm Turnbull an odd person out
National affairs
14 March 2012
A major constitutional crisis was narrowly avoided in Victoria, write Alistair Harkness and Brian Costar, but its cause hasn’t gone away