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New estimates of the structural budget balance sit poorly with opposition claims about the Gillard government’s poor fiscal mismanagement. Turns out things might not be so bad after all …

Millions of Australians would walk away from their private health insurance if the Gillard government means-tested the rebate, the industry warned — and they produced “research” to prove it. Nine months after the means test started, freelance writer Ben Westcott tests that “research”.

Daily Tele stance against fearmongering. We enjoyed The Daily Telegraph’s editorial on Monday, supporting moves to review the GST and hinting it could be a good idea to increase it. The Tele reckons “discussion on this issue, free of fear-mongering and exaggeration, would be welcome”. The Tele certainly knows a thing or two about “fearmongering and […]

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott bested the Prime Minister for media coverage this week by a wide margin. Australia has more or less made up its mind that he will be in power come September.

Clearly the savings measures outlined in the 2014 financial year budget have offset any consumer joy flowing from the May RBA rate cut. Some 44% of survey respondents said they would be worse off due to the budget while only 5% said it would improve their lot.

The Scots learn that the more booze you buy, the more you drink, and the Spaniards design a cracking submarine — that is so heavy it sinks. Plus other political views noted along the way.

Academic biffo leads to departure? … “go away” asylum seeker payments not working … Bettina Arndt’s latest project (you) …

How much power do the nation’s tabloid editors really wield when it comes to influencing our electoral process? Plenty, if you believe political operatives. Not only for what’s in print but how they influence the agenda for the rest of the day. For Labor it’s a lost cause.

Now that cycling is increasingly a “mainstream” mode of transport, there are calls for cyclists to conform to the road rules. That prompts the question why some cyclists don’t in the first place. Australians tend to see cycling as something special — it’s racing, it’s exercise, it’s “cycle chic”, it’s advocacy, it’s identity — but it’s not usually hum-drum […]

Fowler covers an area of Labor’s western Sydney heartland from Lansvale, Liverpool and Cabramatta in the east, through Hinchinbrook and Cecil Hills to undeveloped territory beyond the Westlink. The electorate has the second-highest number of non-English speakers of any electorate in the country, ranking in the top 10 for people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Serbian and […]

The Russell 2000 index traded above the 1000 level for its first time ever, and the S&P 500 hit a new all-time high.

Seven West has appointed its third CEO in a year as the network’s ratings sink.

What do the polls really show? Plus other political views noted along the way.

War by google … the secrets are out on our politicians … cannibal stock shock …