A confidential cable leaked today by WikiLeaks from the US consulate in Melbourne contains an extraordinary portrait of federal Labor MP Bill Shorten as a power hungry sycophant.
Bill Shorten
Follow Crikey’s latest coverage of Bill Shorten. Crikey’s Bill Shorten coverage includes independent news, blogs and commentary.
Crikey Says: The government should channel Shorten’s anger
“The treatment of people with impairment in Australia is a disgrace,” said Bill Shorten last year. The time to end the exile for Australians with disabilities is now.
PC report: no help coming for retailers
On the surface, the draft report from the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the structure of the retail sector appears to have some good news. Except for one thing — there is little chance any of these changes will happen quickly.
Financial planners talk candidly about wealth management
An angry debate among financial planners has revealed some of the serious problems in the wealth management industry.
Labor worries about Green preferences, again
Last year’s state election loss came as a major surprise to the Victorian ALP (and to most commentators), so there should be plenty to say in a review of what went wrong
Coup anniversary: where are they now?
Paul Barry and Matthew Knott look back at the main players in the Night of the Long Knives: where are they now?
James Packer shows off his Labor Right pulling power
The James Packer ALP advisory team of Graham Richardson, Karl Bitar and former Kim Beazley chief-of-staff Gary O’Neill, today have played one of their trump cards in the campaign to head off Andrew Wilkie’s pokies reform agenda.
Rudd’s downfall: his own handiwork, and years in the making
Kevin Rudd’s alienation of his colleagues and factional powerbrokers was so great that the end of his popularity meant the end of his prime ministership. Telling backbenchers “I don’t give a fuck what you fuckers think,” probably wasn’t the best start, write Bernard Keane and Paul Barry.
Shorten delivers on financial planning reform
Bill Shorten has delivered on reforms to financial planning that will yield big benefits for Australia decades hence.
Hockey is right about trusts
Joe Hockey’s maladroitness has struck again, but at least he shows some evidence of life in the policy department.
Convincing politicians to opt out of financial services reform
A low-profile campaign is underway to convince politicians to reverse a key financial services reform that will save Australians billions.
David Williamson: sometimes a mea culpa is in order
When Julia has to read scripted stuff to camera these days she no longer looks like the headmistress lecturing a dull class … and she no longer accents the wrong syllables all of the time, writes David Williamson.
Maiden: Rudd’s quivering lip
It was a bittersweet affair for Kevin Rudd’s swearing in as foreign minister, amongst the magnolias and “faceless men” at Government House yesterday in Canberra, reports Samantha Maiden.
Debate: should Quentin Bryce have to step aside?
Peter Faris QC and barrister Greg Barns debate the topic: Quentin Bryce must step aside.
Does GG Quentin Bryce have a conflict of interest?
Law experts are split over the perceived conflict-of-interest between Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Labor MP Bill Shorten, as the constitutional impasse after Saturday’s election result looms large.
A modest proposal for disability reform
Disability has emerged as an election buzzword, with both major parties making some positive noises. But disability reform in the real estate industry doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Shakira Hussein chips in a simple but potentially valuable policy suggestion.
We must accept some of the ministerial responsiblity
It’s not fair to scapegoat ministers for programs which rely on community involvement. Peter Garrett shouldn’t take all the rap for the insulation mess, because the public failed too, writes John Warhurst.
Dunkley dust up: ALP destabilised by Shorten-Conroy split
A fresh factional war has broken out inside the Victorian ALP after Federal MP Bill Shorten and Senator Stephen Conroy came close to backing rival preselection candidates at a fiery meeting last night.
Bill Shorten: model politician?
Pollies aren’t known for their ease of contact. But after blogger weezil sent an email to MP Bill Shorten complaining about changes to disability parking, Shorten called personally just 27 minutes later.
Victorian ALP: A fraction too much faction
The unprecedented factional deal struck last week between opposing factions in the Victorian ALP could last longer than some pundits are suggesting, writes Andrew Crook.
Shorten shores up position as Victoria’s kingmaker
Bill Shorten is now able to boast to the Prime Minister that the era of factional bloodletting in Victoria is over, writes Andrew Crook.
