We need to exploit our energy superpowersThere is vast global demand for Australia’s natural resources and we need reforms to get worker productivity moving and let this boom happen again. The old Labor union bosses need to set their PM straight, writes former Keating minister Gary Johns.
Bob Hawke
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: In defence of Hawke and Keating over Tin Tin
Crikey readers weigh in on a bit of Aussie political history, a possible way of dealing with an ageing population’s health care and the anger at angry dads.
What’s your favourite political childhood memory?
Whether it be your childhood crush on Bob Hawke, a poem penned in primary school for Gough Whitlam or a secret fondness for John Howard, join in the discussion at Larvartus Prodeo about your earliest political memory.
Greens, DLP and women line up to skewer Moreland’s blokey Labor faction
The bond developed between Victoria’s Moreland councillors could make the preference arrangements at next year’s state election very interesting, judging by actions at the latest council meeting.
Political snippets: Strong jobs growth point to further rate rises
There is in this strong employment growth a distinct danger signal for the Labor Government.
VIDEO: Booze, blazers and Blanche: Bob Hawke at 80
The flowing silver mane, the dancing, the drinking and the terry toweling robe: the ABC pays tribute to 80 years of Bob Hawke, including a great interview with Andrew Denton.
Political snippets: Bob Hawke says “cheese” with some smiling former assassins
A happy snap of former PM Bob Hawke surrounded by the folks who ousted him from office shows time heals all wounds, the aesthetic costs of wind turbines, no outliers in the Crikey Election Indicator, and a thumbs up for the new Oz design.
Telstra decision is just good policy
There’s an element of politics in Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s decision to break Telstra up. But it’s also good policy that finally corrects the huge mistake Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley made.
How long can rock star Rudd stay top of the pops?
Kevin Rudd is riding high on a wave of surging popularity. But a dip into the annals of Australian political history shows personal popularity doesn’t always translate into success in the one poll that actually matters, says Mark Davis.
Mungo MacCallum: We deserve better than legacy wars
Here we are, nearly two years out of the Howard years and happily consigning them to well-deserved oblivion. Then Paul Kelly released his book, and they all came lurching out of the political cemetery.
Crikey Says: Rudd can’t claim reform credit yet
There are three men truly entitled to reflect on responsibility for Australia’s economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s: Hawke, Keating and Howard.
Political snippets: What Sarkozy could learn from Hawke
France’s short-statured President Sarkozy could gain a few inches with a Bob Hawke bouffant haircut, the GFC hits casinos, and more insights from Richard Farmer.
Della Bosca joins long list of upstanding members
Politicians straying from the marital bed? Where’s the story? asks Bob Ellis.
Video of the Day: If Hawke, Keating, Howard and Rudd had been journos
Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, John Howard and Kevin Rudd all fancy themselves as better journos than the real thing, says George Megalogenis. But how would each have really fared if they’d chosen the Fourth Estate over the Third?
Whitlam’s Grandchildren: what the Class of 2007 can tell us about the ALP
Comparing ALP MPs who made their Parliamentary debut after the party’s win in 2007 with those who sat for the first time in 1983 can provide some interesting insights into the evolution of Australia’s longest-living political party, writes Trevor Cook.
Will Turnbull be repeating Beazley’s history?
Is opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull destined to be the next Kim Beazley - the great leader that never was? Quite possibly, writes Kerry-Anne Walsh.
Bob Hawke: Labor for life
Former PM Bob Hawke will be honoured with life membership to the ALP at this year’s national conference, writes South Australian Premier Mike Rann.
Mungo MacCallum: Calling for a government restructure to address Aboriginal issues
The one size fits all approach of the intervention is plainly inappropriate to societies as diverse as Indigenous Australia, writes Mungo MacCallum.
A brief history of props in Federal Parliament
Politicians from both sides have a long democratic tradition of treating Parliament contemptuously.
Political snippets: Sceptically looking for the green shoots
Richard Farmer sees no “glimmers of hope” for the economy and reflects on hard-drinking politicians.
Once upon a time … Rudd needs a narrative
If the Government doesn’t provide a narrative, the media will provide one or more for them, writes Bernard Keane.
Vale John Button
Former Labor Senator John Button has died at the age of 74 after suffering cancer.
Kevin of the hundred days: a KPIs tale
FDR saved America’s financial system. Bob Hawke held an economic summit and released a major economic statement. Kevin Rudd has… mission statements, challenge areas – and loads of inquiries, writes Bernard Keane.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Olympic radio rights …. Four Corners and the Liberals … Brendan Nelson: Mr 9% … inflation … foreign investment … Crikey’s editorial …
The Media Monitors Top 20
Not much movement in the Top Five, with Morris Iemma celebrating the Year of the Rat by being ubiquitous if not exactly popular.
