By sheer force of personality and bloody hard work, media-friendly lobbyist Heather Ridout became the voice of business in Canberra. Politicians respect her and her fellow lobbyists talk about her as if she’s a saint, writes Matthew Knott.
Heather Ridout
Canberra royalty gather for lamb, jewfish and a US president
It was a glittering night for Australia’s most powerful as they headed to Canberra to dine with Barack Obama. Former PM John Howard, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and crooner Kamahl were amongst the attendees, reports Tom Cowie.
Australia’s OECD productivity freefall
Australia isn’t the only country grappling with labour productivity problems. But ours got a lot worse during Workchoices.
The return of protectionism: the gang’s all here
Protectionism is alive and well and has strong allies in the public policy arena.
Power Shots: Truckies split on convoy protest … The Don takes willow to cricket heavies …
Bruce McIver is the driving force behind Queensland’s new Liberal National Party and the man who brought about the 2008 merger of the state’s two right-of-center parties. Also, truckies are split on convoy protest, and more…
Business groups jostle for attention of new government
Now the lobbying can begin. That is the message from Australia’s business community, which has welcomed the chance to work with Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s new minority Labor government.
The Liberals’ problem: population’s popular
Don’t underestimate how badly business views the Opposition’s attack on skilled migration. It’s more than just about a “big Australia”.
Mungo MacCallum: Much to criticise in Abbott’s policies, but he deserves some sympathy
Tony Abbott’s parental leave policy may be a disaster, but not for the reasons being trumpeted by the government and the media. He is being pilloried not for a matter of substance, but for having the courage to defy one of Australia’s more mindless political shibboleths.
Business case on ETS falling away post-Copenhagen
With Tony Abbott arguing for a tax-free direct action plan, Kevin Rudd needs business to pack his economic model. But the initial support for an ETS is falling away, reports Jason Whittaker and Matthew Knott.
When Oz sub-editors know better
If The Australian wants to stop being dismissed as the propaganda wing of the Liberal Party then it needs to stop massaging things to fit the world view it wants to present to its readers, writes Dave Gaukroger.
Australian Industry Group’s budget directives
The Australian Industry Group’s Heather Ridout lays out their hopes for the federal budget. Priority number one: raise the GDP ASAP.
Heather Ridout, the 21st member of Rudd’s Cabinet
Julia Gillard’s first task as Deputy Prime Minister back in December was to address the Australian Industry Group. Since then, the AIG’s CEO Heather Ridout has scored a number of important Government gigs, writes Bernard Keane.
Embrace the Sun King: Kevin quotes the Blair playbook
The Government’s embrace of News Ltd’s John Hartigan has Blairite echoes, writes Bernard Keane.
