43 Results

The wonks, the flacks, the hacks and the headkickers — here are the people who are doing their damnedest to get Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott into the Lodge. The Power Index names the string-pullers.

A new-found conservatism in Treasury estimates means the economy could grow faster than expected, especially if the Australian dollar continues to fall. Former Labor economic adviser Stephen Koukoulas comments.

A key graph from the budget papers explains the challenge Wayne Swan has faced as Treasurer — one he has failed to address despite having the power to, writes Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss.

Is the Treasurer serious when he says he wants to spend more, tax less and get the budget back into surplus as quickly as possible? Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss investigates.

As in previous budgets, a huge chunk of Wayne Swan’s savings are actually tax rises or the closure of tax loopholes. He’s also targeted some relatively painless areas — big companies, public servants — for squeezing.

Treasurer Wayne Swan’s 2013-14 budget reflects his time as Treasurer: great economic outcomes, but delivered in a confused and incoherent way, writes Bernard Keane.

Wayne Swan’s sixth and likely final budget charts a path to surplus, but fails to take enough tough decisions to rein in spending, writes Bernard Keane.

Here’s a first: there’s paid advertising appearing on a federal government website (the Bureau of Meteorology). Does this pose a problem — and who might be next?

Would recognising local government in the constitution protect essential services or undermine states’ rights? Public policy and governance expert Stephen Bartos answers Crikey’s questions.

“There are a lot of solutions on the cusp,” says up-and-coming engineer Dr Jane Sargison on the task of reducing carbon emissions. Now she’s stepped out of her Hobart laboratory to lobby for the cash and commitment in Australian boardrooms to make them happen. Sargison comes in at #10 on The Power Index list.

The Greens are on track to underperform compared with the 2010 election. In which case, getting your competitor to differentiate you isn’t such a bad strategy.

Kevin Rudd is crowing his mining tax would have collected more revenue. But could he try again — and save Labor in the process? David Llewellyn-Smith at MacroBusiness tests the play.