New British Prime Minister David Cameron is most definitely a slick character. Crikey backgrounds the Tory leader, from his beginnings at Oxford’s infamous Bullingdon Club to the most powerful man in the country.
May, 2010
Guy Rundle: It’s really over — New Labour has gone
The UK has a new prime minister and a new government. Whatever New Labour was, it has gone, leaving much and perhaps taking more.
Swings and roundabouts in the public service: who won and lost last night
There won’t be too many more public servants overall as as result of the No Frills Budget, but that masks some big changes at an agency level.
Health: Will Budget announcements be a circuit breaker?
Mental health and dental health were the clear losers last night. But will the other health announcements be a circuit breaker for the government? Croakey’s Melissa Sweet wraps the commentary.
Defence: New force protection measures, and not before time
The Budget brought new Defence Force initiatives as a result of the Force Protection Review. Not before time, says defence analyst Mark Thomson.
Social welfare: Disadvantaged take a back seat to boy stuff
Those who gained and lost last night illustrate the lack of concern this government really has for their version of “working families”.
The most important chart in the Budget
Tucked away in Budget paper No.1 is a fascinating little chart that is arguably the most politically important piece of data in the entire Budget, as it justifies not just the very existence of the stimulus program and the political baggage that is coming with it, but also shows the likely consequences of the alternative […]
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Sticking the boot into Kevin
Crikey readers join the debate over Kevin Rudd’s performance. Does Kevin deserve the fail whale after all his broken promises and hyperbole? Plus, David Cameron — the new Kevin Rudd.
Morning Market Report: Budget has no effect on a good day for market
The “Europhoria” waned overnight as it hit home that the Euro zone needs to reduce its debt to GDP ratio from 6.1% to the required 3% and to do so will impact euro growth.
World Championship Chess: It’s eye of the Tiger from Madras
Viswanathan Anand’s underdog victory is worthy of being made into a movie as the parallels between Anand’s success and the cinematic classic Rocky IV are uncanny, writes Ian Rogers from Sofia.
Media briefs: Google wants to save journalism … Vanity Fair’s iPad app …
Vanity Fair’s iPad app just like the mag, full of “bells and whistles”. Plus, Google partners on a new tablet, why the BBC beats the British Army and other media news of the day.
Daily Proposition: See Dora the Explorer live! (it probably won’t kill you)
If you’re the proud owner of a small, easily-amused human being who likes to shout, then Dora the Explorer’s new show is an excellent way to wear them out, writes Nicole Eckersley.
Climate and environment: not much in the way of policy direction
The climate and environment Budget for 2010-11 is a dull affair marked by program cuts, clean-ups and a marked lack of policy direction, writes Andrew Macintosh.
Business As Usual: In the US, one in eight on food stamps … Chinese keen to buy up, pay super taxes …
Almost 40 million Americans are on food stamps, Asciano whips out some house cleaning, No tax cuts in Germany, just spending cuts, China still tops of the export pops and other business news of the day.
Higher education: no money, no strategy — has Rudd dropped the ball?
Last year’s Budget was accompanied by a flurry of media releases from Julia Gillard trumpeting funding measures for higher education. This year there’s deafening silence, writes Erica Cervini.
The Media Monitors' Top 20: Budget week is Swan’s time to shine
A good week for Wayne, with the ugly Treasurling growing into a serious, fiscally responsible powerswan — well that’s definitely the spin from the “politics free zone” in the Treasurer’s office.
Political snippets: You can’t count on the Budget
The one thing to remember about the latest budget is that it is just that — a budget. The figures on the future size of the deficit don’t actually mean anything. Plus, risk for Australian from Europe and other political news.
Video of the Day: “This is a terrorist…”
Another “but surely it’s a spoof…?” political ad from the US: Congressional hopeful Dan Fanelli presents some “simple facts” about terrorists and airplanes.
Tax: small business hit with avalanche of tax audits
The government will allocate a further $445 million to the Australian Taxation Office in its fight against tax cheats. But it won’t cover everyone, writes former ATO audit manager Chris Seage.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Surfers hate the Mad Monk
Surfers in Manly are none too pleased having the Mad Monk as leader of the loyal opposition. What exactly are his two goons doing out there in the surf with him as well?
Crikey Says: A thing of UK wonder
The British people are waking up to the news that they have a new prime minister and a new political era. The question is, what kind of political era?
Rundle on Cameron, Clegg and demise of New Labour, Boring Budget Bonanza: ask the economists, Oakes v Hockey, public service cuts, plus more 
Film review: Robin Hood — swords-n-arrows snoozer
In the process of hashing up the already well rehashed Robin Hood story, director Ridley Scott dobs himself in as a master thief too — namely of the time and goodwill invested by audience members, writes Luke Buckmaster.
