I predict the next electoral event will be simultaneous by-elections in Mayo and the Victorian ultra-marginal Liberal seat of McEwen, writes Malcolm Mackerras.
Alexander Downer
Three words Liberals: FFS
The country needs a credible opposition, one that will challenge the Government on politics and policy. We haven’t got one, writes Bernard Keane.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
The Liberal Party must be cleared of its obstructive, distracting dead wood. By which we mean Costello and Lord Downer.
A toast to John Howard: what Downer should’ve said
The introduction of the Hon John Howard MP at the Millennium Forum dinner last night – the version Alexander Downer should have given.
They should hang their heads over the Hicks farce
Evidence had been obtained through prisoner abuse, and the Gitmo trials were subject to direct political influence, writes Irfan Yusuf.
The horrid and gritty truth about the Republic – An Essay
Nature abhors a vacuum…
Pollie bludgers: Should they stay or should they go?
Vaile of Arabia isn’t going anywhere, but what about the rest of the Government-in-exile? asks Bernard Keane.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
It’s difficult not to feel at least a skerrick of sympathy for Brendan Nelson.
The Media Monitors’ Top 20
Popularity is probably no-comopensation for NSW premier Morris Iemma, who has leapt up the charts this week on the back of various unravellings.
Brendan Nelson’s poor polling continues
The latest Morgan poll will make for dispiriting but not unexpected reading for Brendan Nelson, writes Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane.
Tips and rumours
The Alexander Downer-Ian Smith “boutique” consultancy is unlikely to find too many open doors in the Labor-dominated corridors of power around the country. Which may be why former Senator and successful Crikey litigant Nick Bolkus is being mentioned as a third member.
Apparently, the Iemma government isn’t too keen on Public Servants attending the Rally tomorrow […]
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
Alexander Downer dined al fresco at a Manuka restaurant yesterday (try the veal!). Meanwhile, in a Parliament not so far away, Question Time was in full swing.
Parliament Question Time — a highlights package
Each Friday, Crikey will endeavour to bring you the fun-filled entertainment that currently is Parliamentary Question Time. Giggle as new speaker Harry Jenkins tries to make Wilson Tuckey toe the line.
The Media Monitors Tuesday Top 20
Wayne Swan up to number two in these inflationary times, while the vast Brendan Nelson media machine has finally cranked into gear as he leaps into the Top Five.
Tips and rumours
Mark Paterson survived under the Rudd amnesty for political appointees among departmental secretaries in Canberra. He’s been busy since, shoring up the industry portfolio and outfoxing foreign affairs and trade by retaining investment promotion, protecting his industry welfare empire and avoiding efficiency cuts by jettisoning the Global Opportunities program he’d nicked from DFAT under the […]
Flint: Rudd should embrace the Anglosphere
There is one international organisation with standards – the Commonwealth. But that is not one of Mr. Rudd’s foreign policy pillars – the US alliance, Asia, and the UN.
People’s Choice: The 20 most appalling people of 2007
Votes
%
John Howard
100
8.75%
Tony Abbott
70
6.12%
Kevin Andrews
64
5.60%
Philip Ruddock
52
4.55%
George W Bush
43
3.76%
Alexander Downer
38
3.32%
Peter Costello
31
2.71%
Jackie Kelly
31
2.71%
Janette Howard
26
2.27%
Richard Pratt
20
1.75%
Bill Heffernan
19
1.66%
Marcus Einfeld
18
1.57%
Ben Cousins
17
1.49% […]
Time for Noel Pearson to tone down the rhetoric
Noel Pearson is one of Australia’s most intelligent, articulate and thoughtful Aboriginal leaders but surely it’s time he started to reflect on what he’s been saying and doing lately, writes Alex Mitchell.
The Liberals, leaders and philosophies
The Liberal Party stands for nothing, according to a report by Victorian Legislative Council leader Philip Davis obtained by the Melbourne Age. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, it may have been the secret behind many of the party’s successes in the past, writes Christian Kerr.
Alston not the answer to Libs organisational woes
The Liberals when in opposition have always had a Messiah complex. Now they are looking for an organisational Messiah, and if the answer is Richard Alston, it must have been a very silly question indeed, writes Norman Abjorensen.
Liberal crisis continues; party offers more of the same
The Liberal Party’s federal executive meets in Canberra today, and the shadow ministry has its first meeting. Questions over the leadership and Federal pressident positions remain. There is no doubt that the Liberal Party is in denial, writes Christian Kerr.
Liberal presidential power plays
Federal Liberal Party president Chris McDiven is under threat, stories that appear to be coming out of NSW say today. Now that the Liberals need to make themselves electable, they face significant challenges, writes Christian Kerr.
The quest for Brendan’s earring
Paul Keating says he liked the Liberal leader Brendan Nelson better when “he had the ring in his ear”. Tim Fischer disagrees. “I prefer him without the earring,” the one-time deputy PM said last week. But what is the story of the earring? Christian Kerr finds out.
