Crikey readers have their say.
Federal Election 2010
Welcome to Crikey’s coverage of the 2010 Federal Election.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The worst election ever
Yes, that was the worst election campaign we’ve seen
The recent election campaign really was amongst the worst in living memory, writes former ACT Health Minister Michael Moore.
Day one of the new paradigm
Crikey Media Wrap: After the longest election striptease in Australian political history, the supposed “new paradigm” finally arrived yesterday for the first non-ceremonial day of Question Time. It included much of the old rhetoric but also delivered a victory for the Coalition.
Crikey Says: The political world has changed
When paradigms change, the world itself changes with them — Thomas Khun. Last time we use the p-word, promise, but who can resist the temptation to pluck a quote from Philosophy 1?
Kelly: The unethical and dangerous problem of euthanasia
Will the Gillard government become the first government in Australia to authorise legalised killing? They shouldn’t be pummelled into doing something by the Greens that much of the Western world disagrees with, writes Paul Kelly.
Van Onselen: Gillard’s already choking
Should Labor be celebrating its election victory or staying quietly grateful that it held on? PM Gillard can’t just pander to the Left and the Greens now or she’ll lose her narrow lead, says Peter van Onselen.
A (climate) change in the air
Crikey media wrap: It’s the first day back at school for all the enthusiastic parliamentary members, even though the class hasn’t voted on a deputy speaker yet. But Gillard turned up with a new climate change policy tucked into her lunch box.
Hand on Koran, page in history books
Today the first Australian MP in history will be sworn in with their hand on the Koran. From the Western Sydney seat of Chifley, Labor’s Ed Husic - also the first Muslim elected to parliament - will bring with him a family owned copy of the Islamic religious text.
Election 2010: a failure of democracy
1.4 million Australians are not on the electoral roll, 729,000 were enrolled but didn’t show up at the polling booths and 400,000 voted informally. Where is the outrage? asks Michael Danby.
A tale of two majorities
The speaker problems kick on and we may end up with a tale of two majorities in parliament. The first majority is for government existence itself — the ability to withstand no confidence motions that could change the government without needing an election, writes Possum Comitatus.
Julia and Tim move into the Lodge
On Sunday Julia Gillard and Tim Mathieson became the first unmarried couple in history to move into The Lodge, some three months after Gillard replaced Kevin Rudd as PM. She officially denies jumping on the bed.
3.25 million missing votes in federal election
Almost 3,252,000 eligible Australians didn’t cast a vote — extraordinary for a country that has compulsory enrolment and compulsory voting, write Brian Costar and Peter Browne of Inside Story.
Van Onselen: Tony’s dodgy backflip
It’s absolute bull that Tony Abbott backed out of the speaker parliamentary reforms because they may be unconstitutional. He’s just lacking in honour, writes Peter van Onselen.
Shanahan: Shaky start for Gillard govt
There’s no Speaker yet, the Greens keep pushing a carbon tax and euthanasia and the Coalition want Wild Rivers legislation. It’s a precarious position for a new PM to be in, says Dennis Shanahan.
Why we’re all twits but the pollies aren’t
This whole ‘new paradigm’ and ‘the Twitter election’ talk is absolutely rubbish. Perhaps the journalists used Twitter and social media, but the politicians and political parties didn’t, writes Malcolm Farnsworth
Gittins: What does Gillard believe in?
Julia Gillard believes in getting herself re-elected, but is that the extent of it? asks Ross Gittins, as he examines Gillard’s pet issue of education and what needs to happen for a true ‘education revolution’ to unfold.
Crikey Competition: Crikey election tipping competition winners
The result itself was not the only close run thing about last month’s federal election.
One by-election away from an Abbott government
By-elections usually result in a swing against the government of the day. It’s a precarious situation for Gillard, since any potential by-elections could go either way, writes Peter Brent.
The underdogs have the bark and the bite
The four independent MPs and the Greens MP hold more control than any other minor party or independents before them. But don’t forget the power of the major, writes Paul Williams.
Labor wins the final 2PP
The Australian Electoral Commission has finalised the last of its two-party preferred Labor-versus Coalition counts, and it confirms Labor has won a narrow victory on the national total of 6,216,439 (50.12 per cent) to 6,185,949 (49.88 per cent), a margin of 30,490, writes William Bowe.
Greens: here for a long time, not just a good time
The massive swing to the Australian Greens at the recent election wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan protest vote. But they are becoming the strong third party in Australian politics, says Tom Quinn.
Did anyone listen to Latham’s how-to-vote advice?
Prior to the latest federal election, 60 Minutes “journalist” Mark Latham pleaded with Australians to leave the ballot paper blank for an informal vote. Then there was a rise of 5.6% of informal votes, writes Peter Brent.
Kevin Rudd was the big winner in the election campaign
After being knifed as leader Kevin Rudd sought two contradictory aims: for Labor to lose the election and for him to be appointed as Foreign Minister. Miraculously he achieved both, writes Joe Hildebrand.
Rudd: from PM to UN?
Crikey media wrap: It’s been a whirlwind ride for Kevin Rudd in the last few months, finally being appointed foreign minister by his former deputy. Rudd’s UN and international diplomacy love has long been known, but how will he fit into the new role?
Crabb: Coalition hovers in suspended animation
Tony Abbott isn’t quite sure how to cope with this near-win election and it feels like — minus Malcolm Turnbull nabbing the role of shadow Communications minister — he’s pressed the pause button on ideas, says Annabel Crabb.
