In the first of a two-part guide into the battle for left-wing supremacy in the federal seat of Melbourne, Andrew Crook looks inside Adam Bandt’s bid to dislodge Labor from its safe seat and goes door knocking with the Greens.
Articles by Andrew Crook 
Is Abbott’s immigration target a threat to students?
Tony Abbott has won headlines for his embrace of a net overseas migration target, but real-world consequences are likely to linger much longer for marginal groups such as the international student community, demographers say.
Melbourne Uni backflip won’t save VCA
The University of Melbourne’s humiliating backflip on the Victorian College of the Arts and the resignation of chief Melbourne Model spruiker Sharman Pretty might not be enough to save the icon from further financial strife, activists say.
A tale of two press conferences: parallels between Abbott and the Sex Party
It’s a morning of election campaign pressers. First, a three-headed Coalition monster at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne, followed by a Sex Party knees up at the somewhat sketchy nightclub on the other side of the Yarra.
‘Chief rat’ Waldron could sue over News Storm attacks
Former Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron is closely examining his legal options in the wake of an extraordinary attack launched by News Limited chief John Hartigan through his tabloids over the Storm’s salary cap rorts last week.
Legal action, and internal strife, over ABC Archbishop reports
Controversy continues to swirl around the recent Media Watch story that wasn’t — a planned probe into two ABC Lateline “special investigations” that suggested the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson had covered up paedophile priests. Andrew Crook investigates.
Burnside fires up as Greens rekindle Senate flame
The mirror ball shone brightly at FAD Bar — the site of numerous fundraisers usually connected with ALP-dominated student unions — for the Greens’ Senate launch. Andrew Crook was there for the dance music and curry puffs.
Under the gum trees, the Greens declare fightback on refugees
The Greens say Australia has been dragged through another unedifying and embarrassing debate about refugees. But all is not lost — Crikey’s Andrew Crook was on the Greens stump.
Herald Sun gets down to business, cutting coverage as staff walk
What is going on inside the Herald Sun’s once-vaunted business section? The news that four senior staffers are all preparing to up-sticks has left News’ default national business desk scrambling to plug the yawning editorial gap.
Battle for Melbourne: how Gillard’s tougher solution will play in the city
Julia Gillard’s pledge to cloak the Howard Government’s ‘Pacific Solution’ in a new East Timor regional fix could spell trouble for Labor in the race for the federal seat of Melbourne.
Ask the economists: Reserve Bank will know when to hold ‘em
Economists across the spectrum have rejected the possibility of a cut interest rates at tomorrow’s RBA meeting, saying the central bank will retain its neutral approach until the global economic situation becomes clearer.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Investigation launched into possible flu vaccine contamination
The Therapeutic Goods Administration will publish its own investigation into CSL flu shot manufacturing irregularities in the wake of an inspection by US authorities on CSL Biotherapies in April.
News Ltd spelling bee sting: how do you spell ripped off?
News Limited has been accused of copying a grassroots spelling bee website in league with the Queensland Department of Education in an attempt to turn a not-for-profit initiative into a corporate cash cow.
Labor’s wrangling playing out on the nation’s bookshelves
The publishing industry is bracing for a mini political publishing boom as last week’s turmoil in Canberra reverberates around the nation’s bookshops.
Fairfax, bleeding from Melbourne mag battle, pushes out director
Senior executive in charge of Fairfax Media’s stable of suburban real estate glossies terminated as the company reels from a $30 million revenue hole torn by ex-Age property editor Antony Catalano.
NSW kept waiting on promised new police
NSW voters will be kept waiting for at least another seven months for a promised influx of new detectives to investigate violent crime, despite their graduation being just three weeks away.
Battle for Melbourne: Greens buoyed by retirement of Lindsay Tanner
The Greens’ candidate for the federal seat of Melbourne, Adam Bandt, has claimed the retirement of popular local member Lindsay Tanner has made the battle for control of the electorate more interesting.”
The left, the right and the union heavies: Julia’s rise to the top
The right-wing coup that has made notional left-winger Julia Gillard Prime Minister of Australia fits a pattern starting in her earliest days in student politics — a drive for power that subsumed strict factional loyalty for crafty opportunism.
Silence from media on IPCC apology
The Sunday Times has apologised for its sham IPCC ‘Amazongate’ story. But will The Oz, the ABC, Fairfax and many other outlets do the same?
Will Belinda Neal run as an independent?
Dumped Robertson MP Belinda Neal has again refused to rule out running as an independent at this year’s federal election after Central Coast residents were push-polled over the prospect of a potential Neal solo tilt.
Alex Hawke slams party rivals over Young Lib fracas
Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke has slammed a ruling of the NSW Liberal Party’s disputes panel, claiming he was vindicated in shutting down a rowdy Young Liberals meeting last September at his electorate office attended by police.
Read all about it in The Capital Post: newspapers are fine, OK?
On Tuesday night, some of the most powerful politicians and media executives in the country descended on Canberra for a curious soiree. But it isn’t likely to save newspapers.
Blandthorn lobs a bomb as battle for Vic ALP president hots up
Victorian ALP pro-life warrior Lizzie Blandthorn has lobbed a bomb in the direction of the senior apparatchiks ahead of Labor’s state conference on Saturday, in an eleventh hour bid to become party president.
Rudd’s fashion advice reflects a PM under pressure
Press gallery veterans weren’t holding back this morning over the PM’s barb at 2UE journalist Latika Bourke’s threads, saying Rudd’s worried and going for cheap shots.
Staerk reality is the column is cut; the revamped Bulletin fails to fire
The Gold Coast Bulletin is in turmoil after leading lobbyist-turned-columnist Graham Staerk’s column conspicuously failed to appear last Friday after litany of undeclared conflicts of interest unveiled by Crikey.
