Never let it be said that Bob Brown isn’t good at burying a lede. You don’t need to be a spin merchant to know that using terms like “culprits” and “coal barons” in the days after the floods is not a great idea.
Greens
Crikey Says: Brown buries the lede
EMRS poll in Tasie: Labor 30, Liberal 42, Greens 24
Tasmanian firm EMRS has published the latest of its occasional polls on state voting intention, which has Labor down four points since August to 30 per cent, the Liberals up seven to 42 per cent and the Greens down two to 24 per cent, writes William Bowe.
Essential: 51-49 to Coalition
The latest Essential poll has the Coalition maintaining its 51-49 lead for a third week running, down a point on the primary vote to 44 per cent with Labor steady on 38 and the Greens up one to 11, writes William Bowe.
Baillieu set to seize power in Victoria: poll
The Liberal Party is set to deny John Brumby his first election victory and seize power in Victoria, according to a Morgan Poll conducted exclusively for Crikey.
Herald Sun caught trying to entrap Victorian MPs
The Herald Sun has been caught red-handed trying to entrap Victorian MPs in an unethical and possibly illegal sting operation just days before the state election.
Rundle: Planet Janet accidentally gets to the heart of political change
This week’s contribution from Janet Albrechtsen is a way into the heart of political change in Australia, albeit in ways she couldn’t possibly understand.
What do the Victorian Liberals think they’re up to?
If the Liberals really thought they could wipe out the Greens, they’ve left it much too late.
Steve Fielding coming to a town near you
The Victorian ALP repeatedly offered the Greens an across-the-board second preference deal in every upper and lower house state seat in exchange for support in the 25 most marginal lower house seats, Crikey can reveal.
The Greens are here to stay
For thirty years our politics has focused on economic management and reform. But voters appear to want something more, and they’re not getting it from the major parties.
The Libs drop a preferences
bombshell
Crikey Media Wrap: The big bombshell of this year’s Victorian election campaign was dropped yesterday, with the Liberals’ shock announcement that it will will direct preferences to the ALP ahead of the Greens.
Comprehensive, constructive approach to mental health reform needed
The Greens believe that what is needed is a joined-up and comprehensive approach that better integrates the funding and support of mental health services into the wider health system, writes Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson on mental health and chair of the recent Senate inquiry into suicide in Australia.
McGorry: doesn’t the Left care about mental health?
The ALP and Greens created barriers where there were none and as a result found themselves this week voting against providing services that they genuinely believe are vital to our young people., writes Professor Patrick McGorry, the Australian of the Year.
Does the left care about mental health?
Th opposition of the Greens and the ALP to the senate’s passing of a motion calling for a comprehensive network of mental health services including new headspace centres might herald a most unwelcome partisan divide on mental health reform, writes Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry.
Liberals worry about the Greens — and about themselves
With the rise of the Greens and a state election looming in Victoria, it’s time for more angst about preferences.
Climate committee is better without the Coalition
The Climate Committee announced by the Government yesterday will benefit from the absence of a disruptive and untrustworthy Opposition.
Labor risks forgetting who the enemy is
If Labor were to de-escalate its war on the Greens it would be in a much better position to fight off the opposition challenge where it matters.
Greens: flick go the shares when it comes to ABC coverage
In all the talk of new paradigms in the reporting of politics, one thing is surely true: much more attention should be paid to the Greens.
Crikey Says: Weaning off the crack
It mightn’t be as sexy, but the media’s approach to this complex political dynamic is going to have to be a lot more nuanced. Us included.
Julia’s chance to fix Labor and pursue New Politics
Julia Gillard has been handed an opportunity to fix Labor’s problems while pursuing a new agenda forced on her by the hung Parliament.
Cross party consensus on climate change, it IS possible
The recommendations of the Climate Change committee will have pervasive impact. So it is appropriate to seek cross-party consensus, writes the University of Tasmania’s Professor Ian Marsh.
Scrutinising the Labor-Greens alliance
Crikey Media Wrap: Yesterday a strange event occurred in Australian politics: something actually happened, with the Greens and Labor forming a historic alliance. But was this actually a good move for Labor?
Common sense from independents has conservatives deeply unhappy
Against expectations, the rural independents have made a strong start in their quest for political and economic stability. And conservatives don’t like it.
Rundle: we’re entering a new dimension here, people
The independents and minor parties should push this process until the rivets are popping.
Pandering to the outer suburbs didn’t work
While the parties focused on trying to appeal to a minority of swinging voters, the rest of the electorate had other ideas — quite a few of them.
Pearse: Greens should let this government fall and learn
The Labor Party might ultimately agree to brave a carbon levy, but you can bet it will be one that is as polluter friendly as its CPRS, writes Guy Pearse.
