Tension between government media units and senior journalists is hardly a revelation, but is there a legitimate perception issue when it comes to ABC state political reporter Josie Taylor’s family connection or just sour grapes from the Brumby government?
John Brumby
Revealed: The $58m share portfolio that can topple Brumby
After the surprisingly large 12% swing against Labor in Saturday’s Altona by-election, Victorian Liberals are suddenly feeling they are in the contest at the November state election — and Ted Baillieu has an ace up his sleeve…
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: No friends for Brumby?
While lunching at the European, an upmarket eatery across the road from the Victorian Parliament, I found myself sitting at a table immediately behind a gaggle of state Labor pollies. Were they talking about booting Brumby?
Austin: Brumby to get the boot?
The Bracks/Brumby Labor leaders have ruled Victoria for a decade, but judging by recent byelections, the Labor tides are changing. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end? asks Paul Austin.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Brumby knifes Myki heads
The purge of those tainted by Victoria’s public transport and Myki debacle continues. Plus, a new low for TV reviewers in the SMH? How can you review a show you haven’t seen?
Victorian ALP at war over Kosky legacy
In the long lazy days of summer, you can always count on the Victorian ALP to provide some drama for political watchers as Canberra goes gaga over Prince William.
Political advertising is a joke, but no one’s laughing
The Vic government has spent over AU$1 billion on political advertising in a decade. Imagine if just half of that was used on education or hospitals or even the dreaded Myki. The tax-payer self promotion must end, demands John Watson.
Did Kosky deserve the criticism?
Troubled Victorian transport minister Lynne Kosky quit this week, giving Premier John Brumby a get-out-of-jail-free card for the portfolio plagued with major public transport issues. But how much was Kosky to blame?
Austin: Brumby breathes a sigh of relief
Long time VIC Labor liability Lynne Kosky quit yesterday, giving Premier John Brumby a political boon in the seriously damaged public transport portfolio, writes Paul Austin. Check out Kosky’s resignation email here.
Austin: Isn’t ten years long enough to fix it?
Labor has run Victoria for a decade now, yet with Myki mayhem and transport woes whenever the mercury rises, the heat is on John Brumby to prove his worth, writes Paul Austin.
States of play: who are the most popular pollies?
A different way to look at how the various political leaders of our country are travelling is to contrast their net satisfaction or approval levels against their two party preferred vote share. Possum Comitatus crunches the numbers.
revealed Vic government goes missing on bushfire maps
Maps used by the Victorian Country Fire Authority to help residents avoid the devastation of another Black Saturday are years out of date and contain a raft of embarrassing errors.
Council mows down Brumby’s (fake) lawn order solution
The Brumby government’s fake grass solution for Melbourne’s parched sports grounds has been branded a health and environmental disaster in a new report.
All smiles and sunshine for VIC Labor
The latest Victorian state Newspoll finds the decade-old Labor government going from strength to strength. Labor’s two-party lead is at 57-43. Is this the end for Ted Bailleu? asks William Bowe.
How much cash will the states get under the CPRS? Zero.
Unfortunately for those of us who ever rely on the public health, education or transport systems, the CPRS is estimated to cost state budgets more than $2.1 billion in 2013, writes executive director of the Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss.
Buy our brown coal! Now cleaning up on eBay
Victoria’s 13 billion tonnes of unallocated brown coal are now listed as an eBay item, under the seller name “BrumbyGovt”. Bids are open for the next seven days. The starting price is $1,000,000, writes Greg Foyster.
Health departments are not equipped for the new focus on prevention
Prevention is the new black in health policy. But do our politicians really understand prevention and are our health departments well equipped to understand and implement this new focus?
Murray Darling deals in a shocking state
While NSW and the Commonwealth have agreed to a deal that will see the lifting of NSW’s embargo on water trading, Victoria and Queensland aren’t cooperating. Bernard Keane breaks it down.
It’s browns versus greens in Brumby’s ALP
The ALP’s internal war over the environment is gathering pace, with two recent decisions in Victoria revealing the deep fissures that exist between “browns” and “greens”.
Brumby’s ALP in turmoil as rats run rampant
The Victorian Branch of the ALP has descended into high farce after Stephen Newnham retained his state secretary position at last night’s meeting of the state administrative committee.
Costello to be next Victorian premier?
Peter Costello is at a career crossroads. He should head into state politics, get rid of the Labor government and become the next premier of Victoria, writes Arthur Sinodinos.
Branch stacking brouhaha: Victorian ALP factions fight it out
Senior members of the Victorian ALP’s Left faction have accused John Brumby’s ruling Right faction of rank hypocrisy over branch stacking.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Performance reviews for Fairfax bosses
Fairfax media does performance reviews, further troubles for Qantas and which towns are listed as high risk for the upcoming Victorian bushfire season?
Race Mathews lets fly at “tragic” stacked ALP
Leading ALP elder statesman, Race Matthews, has increased pressure on Victorian Premier John Brumby to appoint a membership czar to clean out stacked branches.
