If there is a God, surely she wouldn’t have intended for Australia to let gay and lesbian people and their families to feel so ostracised from the church, writes Steve Dow.
Joe Hockey 
Hockey: Why I’m a Christian even though I don’t agree with other Christians
MP Joe Hockey gives a damning view of literal interpretations of the Bible in Christianity in last night’s speech to the Sydney Institute. We need to embrace the diversity of religions and not commit acts of war because of it, he says.
Hartcher: Is Swan the anti-Keating?
Wayne Swan is acting a lot more modest over the Australian economy’s GFC rebound than Paul “the recession we had to have” Keating, writes Peter Hartcher. But it’s thanks to Keating and Peter Costello that we avoided further trouble
Alan Jones rips into Hockey and Turnbull
Alan Jones, an old school John Howard supporter, has given Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull a flogging on his show lately, but fawned over Julia Gillard, observes Christian Kerr.
Who cares what the Opposition say?
The Coalition is finally learning that since they’re not in government, media focus is on personalities not politics. But what is their latest debt reduction strategy and is it a good plan?
Difference and indifference
How to explain the difference between the News and Fairfax polls on whether Malcolm Turnbull or Joe Hockey is the preferred Coalition leader? Eva Cox suggests the ‘don’t care’ factor.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Stimulus and employment
Crikey readers weigh in on the economic stimulus package and jobs as an economic indicator. Plus, Bernard Keane’s alleged jealousy of Joe Hockey.
Politics in the 24/7 media cycle: burning through talent
The Julian McGaurans of the world, rich dullards shoehorned into Parliament where they can’t do any damage to the family businesses, can always be relied on to act stupidly. Luckily the media cycle is there to catch it.
Hartcher: Malcolm Turnbull: dead man walking
The good ship Liberal Party is sinking with a corpse at its helm, says Peter Hartcher. Joe Hockey isn’t a particularly promising alternative, but he’s better than the political walking dead.
A tale of two polls
A Morgan poll on Friday had Joe Hockey leading Malcolm Turnbull as voters’ preferred Liberal leader 30% to 21%, but today’s Newspoll has Turnbull back in the lead. Did the drama of last week produce a move to Turnbull — or away from Hockey? asks William Bowe.
Sing the Coalition theme song: “Ring the final bell, Hel…”
In light of Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberal leadership mess, North Coast Voices have created a political ditty titled 22 Ways To Leave Your Leader. All together now “Lose another preselection seat, Pete…”
Libs face an election massacre
The embattled Liberal Party’s own polling has predicted the party would face an absolute slaughtering if an election was called soon — and both Hockey and Turnbull would lose their seats.
Canberra Calling: The Joe and Malcolm minstrel podcast
Crikey’s Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane and editor Jonathan Green blackface-off over the Liberal Party leadership.
Political snippets: No government this morning
With all the media focus on the Opposition at the moment, the government are staying very very quiet. Plus, the sneaking humorous world of sub editors.
Hockey would be a disaster as Opposition Leader
Joe Hockey is a lightweight at best, and his performance in the media yesterday proved it.
Turnbull’s debt plan to cut $12b a year
Malcolm Turnbull tried to get some of the spotlight off his leadership by launching a “debt reduction strategy”, representing a major shift back toward the Coalition’s traditional rhetoric of small government.
Malcolm and Joe, shoulder to shoulder in the thick of it
Andrew Crook attended this morning’s “united front” press conference at Melbourne’s Treasury Place. What was it like? Who asked the hard questions about blackface?
Turnbull’s debt plan: less Hockey
Amidst leadership turmoil this morning, Malcolm Turnbull committed to reducing Commonwealth expenditure to 25% of GDP — direct repudiating Joe Hockey’s earlier commitment of a 24% slash, made barely a month ago, reports Bernard Keane.
Shanahan: Turnbull isn’t the problem, says Abbott
Joe Hockey won’t challenge for the Liberal leadership until after the election, but he’ll take it on if Malcolm Turnbull steps aside. But Tony Abbott points out that Turnbull’s just become a scapegoat, writes Dennis Shanahan.
Grattan: Turnbull is a goner
“It’s almost certainly all over for Malcolm Turnbull”, writes Michelle Grattan. Joe Hockey seems the obvious replacement leader, but will he be any different than Turnbull?
Mann: The Liberal Party, a play in three acts
As the curtain closes on the Peter Costello Show, he takes a moment to reflect on his 20 year political career, writes Simon Mann.
Grattan: Turnbull’s imploding leadership
Malcolm Turnbull’s grip on the leadership is slipping, writes Michelle Grattan, with Peter Costello’s surprise exit, ETS in disarray and Joe Hockey admitting he’s been approached for the leadership.
