A double dissolution election may weaken the Coalition’s power in the Senate, but it probably wouldn’t strengthen the ALP’s, says Antony Green. Instead, the spoils would go to the Greens.
Double dissolution election
Antony Green: The little ETS that couldn’t
Technically, the ETS legislation was a double dissolution trigger. So why didn’t Kevin Rudd pull the trigger? Because only the original ETS — not the amended version — could be used and that wasn’t helpful to anyone, explains Antony Green.
Rudd’s a coward? You’re an idiot
Reckon Rudd’s backflip on the ETS and his unwillingness to fight a double dissolution makes him a wuss? Prepare for an onslaught of truth bombs on policy implementation timelines, Senate maths and the electoral clock from Possum Comitatus.
Atkins: The date of the federal election is….
A double dissolution election isn’t going to happen, but Rudd will want the federal election done well before the Victorian on in November. Dennis Atkins places his bets for the exact election date.
Antony Green: Rudd will play the double dissolution card
To stop the blockage in the Senate, Rudd will probably call a double dissolution election for August or early September, argues Antony Green as he explains the historical reasons for Rudd’s timing issues.
Rudd navigates the thicket of early election timing
Rudd is a natural conservative, a low-risk player, and early elections are a risky strategy. If Rudd decides that the advantages of boosting the minor party strength in the Senate outweigh the disadvantages, he can do it.
Forget ‘Sorry’, what are the Libs going to do about WorkChoices?
Liberal MPs will hold a two-day election post mortem and way-forward strategy meeting in Canberra starting tomorrow with most media attention focused on their differences over Labor’s “Sorry” declaration. But what about WorkChoices? asks Alex Mitchell.
Political bite-sized meaty chunks
Howard and Costello: a difference of opinion … Silence on academic censorship …
