Consumers should welcome health minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement that she will reintroduce legislation to means test the private health insurance (PHI) rebate, writes health policy consultant Jennifer Doggett.
Hung parliament
Grattan: Uh oh, Oakeshott for speaker?
Key independent Rob Oakeshott put his hand up for the role of parliamentary speaker. But since his vote is expected to change depending on the reform, it makes the whole shebang rather complicated, says Michelle Grattan.
Tasmania heads for permanent power-sharing
With hung parliaments very much the topic of the day, Tasmania’s situation has some wider lessons.
Shanahan: Voters back the independents
The latest Newspoll vilifies the independents’ decision to back a Gillard government, because a Abbott government would have headed back to the polls quicker. But Gillard isn’t expected to last a full term, writes Dennis Shanahan.
Did the Independents opt for fiscal responsibility over pork barrelling?
Crucial information has emerged today on what the Coalition was prepared to do to get the votes of the Independents: spend up big.
Shanahan: New paradigm remarkably similar to old paradigm
This election was a return to good old-fashioned politics: politicians arguing for their own individual electorates and, of course, for their own political survival, writes Dennis Shanahan
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.
Talkback wrap: what they’re saying about Labor’s win
While the press gallery was busy tapping out tens of thousands of words on what yesterday’s events meant to every conceivable sector of the economy, punters were readying themselves to assault talkback radio to offer their considered on-the-ground perspectives of the tumult. Here’s a snapshot of what was bellowed on talkback radio this morning as […]
Climate change policy set to steam up Canberra
One of the biggest questions for arising out of the ALP’s day of deliverance by the two country independents is this: what does it mean for climate change and clean energy policies?
If the Liberals want to blame anyone, look at the Nationals
If there’s anyone to blame for Tony Abbott failing to get over the line, it’s the Nationals. Abbott himself performed far better than expected and deserves credit, but he has let down by the long-term failings of the Nats.
Come in Spinner: What a minority government means and why it won’t stay on the front pages for long
AFL and NRL finals are in train, the spring racing carnivals are near, Christmas is coming, so the political election hysteria might get pushed off the front pages in coming months, writes Noel Turnbull.
What the NBN will deliver to Windsor’s mob
“You do it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre,” independent MP Tony Windsor said of broadband yesterday. From his New England vantage point, the differences between Labor’s National Broadband Network (NBN) and the Coalition’s late entry are stark.
And now, let the wild rumpus start
Canberra has never seen anything like it. Three men sent everyone in Parliament House into a spin as they determined the next government.
Let the Great Unhinging begin
Labor has won government. But expect to witness over the next 18 months or more an orgy of hysterics that will far surpass the duplicity and dishonesty that substituted for public debate on matters of government in the last year, writes Possum Comitatus.
Gillard’s wild ride has just begun
Crikey media wrap: After a thrilling finish, Julia Gillard clings on to power by the barest of margins: just one seat. How will Gillard negotiate a government with so many interested parties and different agendas?
McCrann: The only thing for sure is uncertainty
After 17 days of deliberation the independent MPs finally reached a verdict for Australia’s political future and awarded Julia Gillard the prize trophy. Things may have been resolved for now but chaos and anarchy are in the mail, writes Terry McCrann.
Shanahan: Gillard rebuilds from the ruins
After a terrible election campaign by Labor, Julia Gillard managed to salvage her prime ministership. But Tony Abbott remains a formidable Opposition leader, says Dennis Shanahan.
Gillard gets over the line
Julia Gillard will cling to power by the narrowest possible margin after the independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor opted to back Labor, giving her 76 votes, reports Bernard Keane.
Katter backs the Coalition
BREAKING NEWS: Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have announced their support for Julia Gillard. But, the execution of Kevin Rudd and the Coalition’s response to Bob Katter’s 20-point plan prompted Katter to support the Coalition, writes Bernard Keane.
liveblog Australia’s next PM: the independents decide
Who’ll be the next prime minister of Australia: Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott? Join crack political expert Richard Farmer and the rest of the Crikey team from 2:45pm to liveblog the independents’ press conference
The future of the House of Reps
If you want a glimpse of what the new, improved House of Representatives will be like, check out Senate Question Time, if you can stay awake.
Lessons from the last days of the Labor government
Before we focus on the new government, we should recall some of the lessons of recent months which may have been forgotten in the obsession with a hung parliament and a new government.
The Oz has trouble keeping its story straight
According to The Australian, the mining tax will either have too much effect on the mining industry, or not enough. Either way, of course, a partisan Treasury is to blame.
Crikey Says: Judgment day
At around 3pm today the nation can collectively exhale as the independents, after 17 days, announce who will make up our minority government.
