They’ve dealt with the devil, and the criticism from all the expected sections of the media will be fierce.
Australian labor party
Crikey Says: Crikey says: and the winner is … the Greens
Independents need to be able to bend both ways
The Greens, in order to be taken seriously as a third force, need to demonstrate an ability to deal with the Liberal Party, according to Charles Richardson. Until they do, Labor will always be inclined to take them for granted and will face only minimal pressure to accept any of their demands.
Jetstar’s Asian tilt a risky prospect
If there was a functioning new government in Canberra this week the Jetstar offshore strategy would demand urgent attention from its transport minister.
Savva: Labor will nudge across the finishing line
At this Saturday’s election the ALP will move forward to victory, but not because they’ve run a better campaign, have a better leader or have superior policies, writes Niki Savva.
Rundle essay: failure to launch? — Labor’s ‘realism’ is a fantasy
By now, I would imagine that the half-dozen or so people in the higher echelons of the Labor Party who retain any trace of a social vision are fit to spit about the continued shellacking that the party keeps getting from its supposed friends and allies.
Business the victim in this (non)policy war
Ten days into the 2010 election campaign the major parties are opening their war chests to woo voters. But both major candidates have so far appeared desperate to highlight their credentials despite being devoid of meaningful policy on important economic or business issues, writes Ian Verrender.
Green deals don’t help a sustainable population
Daily Media Wrap: It’s still early days in the campaign but backroom deals with the Greens and the ALP have already been made, the boat people issue is sinking votes for both parties and Queensland is the hot political state.
Forget the ETS, Labor needs to get its Chifley on
The ETS looks like it is staying on the shelf, much to the chagrin of green groups. Never mind, Labor should instead tap into former PM Ben Chifley’s nation-building mythology and consider a large-scale renewable energy project, writes Leigh Ewbank.
Faulkner’s departure further depletes Labor’s store of experience
John Faulkner’s retirement to the backbench will continue the Labor talent drain as party veterans call time on their careers.
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.
Rudd’s brutal execution
The political execution of Kevin Rudd by Labor’s factions was based on a long build-up of anger at the leader and his office, but it only crystallised into a mood for change this week.
Construction industry case driving a wedge between the ALP and unions
A SA construction industry court case exposes controversial legislation that has driven a wedge between the ALP and its union supporters. Ava Hubble reports.
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.
Chris Uhlmann a pro, says Abbott, but is there an ABC double-standard?
ABC political reporter Chris Uhlmann isn’t hiding the fact his PR consultant wife will run for the ALP in the upcoming federal election. But do all ABC journos receive the same treatment?
Altona means nothing for Brumby in November
Ignore the Herald Sun’s classic “radical Greens are holding us to ransom” trope about Saturday’s Altona byelection. The Greens did not emerge with the balance of power and it’s too early for a Hun election scare campaign.
Mayne digs some donations data dirt
The annual deluge of political donations data was dropped by the AEC today, containing a stack of interesting revelations. Stephen Mayne sifts through the dirt.
Guy Rundle: Rundle: Abbott has a deep and original desire to fail nobly
If you want to understand where the “Liberal” Party is heading, forget Burke or Oakeshott — read de Maistre’s The Executioner.
Queensland ALP embraces intra-factional bloodsports
The Queensland branch of the ALP is confronting a fresh factional crisis, with the forced departure of key staff and a funding crisis threatening to breach containment lines and escalate into open warfare.
Costello rising: Labor braces for an early election
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Liberal Party has decided to drop Malcolm Turnbull and recall Peter Costello to lead them at the next federal election, writes Alex Mitchell.
Arbib’s rise to “gatekeeper” greatness
Ambitious NSW Senator Mark Arbib is now the most influential non-minister in the Rudd Government, writes, Alex Mitchell.
The GayLP’s rainbow revolution
The establishment of a “gay friendly” branch of the ALP in Victoria has raised eyebrows, writes Andrew Crook.
Business donations crossed the floor in 2007
The 2007-08 political donations data shows a massive surge in business donations to the ALP prior to the 2007 election, compared to prior to the 2004 election, writes Bernard Keane.
Rudd’s brilliant disaster diversion from China donations scandal
The ALP remains the only major political party in the world that actually runs pokies operations to help finance its campaigns, writes Stephen Mayne.
Labor’s membership crisis — they’re not the only ones
The malaise in our political parties has underlying social causes that neither of them is yet willing to face up to, writes Charles Richardson.
