If proof was needed that our political leaders are still in election mode, the way that they scurried off overseas but hurried home again surely provides it.
John Howard
Our bogan Howard-copy PM
PM Gillard is appearing remarkably similar to ex-PM Howard, writes Samantha Maiden, from the “foreign policy is not my passion” line to her Realpolitik approach.
Howard attacks multi-culturalism, apologises for nothing
Former prime minister John Howard has dumped on “multi-cultural” continental Europe, “irrelevant” UN veto nations and the Islamic world while lauding the moral superiority of the English speakers in a speech in Washington. Harley Dennett reports from Washington.
The tide turns back towards Labor on marine parks
Despite the common assumption that the Liberals are poorer on environmental issues than Labor, a close examination of marine protection during the Howard years compared with the last term of Labor shows the Howard government ahead, writes Dr Margi Prideaux.
Howard returns, swinging fists and asking for cash
John Howard reentered the media spotlight last night at a Sydney fundraising dinner. Unsurprisingly he attacked the ALP’s credentials, citing Julia Gillard’s allegedly casual approach to national security as the thing that rankles him most.
Disillusion and apathy: welcome to politics, 2010 style
The 2007 election saw the spectacular ousting of a Prime Minister both widely respected and widely reviled. There was talk of revolutions and the end of an era. But this year it’s very hard to get excited about anything, writes Misha Adair.
Gillard on asylum seekers: time for an East Timor Solution
Julia Gillard has committed to stopping the boats from coming to Australia by removing the incentive to come here. Her approach is a lot like that of John Howard.
Come in Spinner: Despatching the spin on Howard’s ICC rejection
Already the spin is in — John Howard got knocked back for the ICC job because he opposed the Zimbabwean Government. Sadly it’s much more complicated than that, writes Noel Turnbull..
Howard’s ICC rejection could splinter international cricket
For a long time racial divide formed the dark core of the cricket world. Now the rejection of John Howard’s bid to be vice-president of the ICC threatens to bring old prejudices back to the fore, says Sambit Bal.
Can’t bat, can’t bowl: Howard ICC failure as ‘gang of six’ blocks post
Former Prime Minister John Howard, a well-known cricket tragic, appears to have been run out without facing a ball after his nomination to be International Cricket Council Vice President was blocked.
Howard: a terrible first-term PM
There was a PM who started off spectacularly popular and then crashed badly in public opinion. But his party stuck with him, and John Howard went on to do okay. So why was Kevin Rudd shot?
Crikey Says: What might Rudd have grown into, given half a chance?
Which side of politics is more prepared to back their prime minister when the chips are down?
Singer: Abbott will fail as Howard 2.0
There’s no way that Tony Abbott can be a PM possibility until he recognises the stuff ups of the Howard government and distances himself from them, says Jill Singer.
Poll Bludger’s Election 2010 preview, Part 1: WA — the state of excitement!
Will history prove again that Western Australia is a problem for the ALP? Get your wonk on in this, the first in a preview series from Poll Bludger’s William Bowe on the upcoming Federal election…
Hartcher: This is Rudd’s political death threat
Rudd’s popularity has collapsed completely with the latest Nielsen poll. But this isn’t necessarily fatal for Rudd, says Peter Hartcher. John Howard came back from worse.
Your children, are they safe from fat, old sunburnt people?
No, they will be drowned in the bath by The Unions!
Selling us our own money
Government advertising is very good at ignoring the grey areas, like perhaps the legislation hasn’t actually been passed yet. Didn’t Rudd promise to cut down on this spending? asks Katharine Murphy.
From Howard to Rudd: what’s changed?
The Howard years are a stain on Australian human rights history, writes Tony Kevin. Kevin Rudd disappoints us in other ways, most importantly through his lack of climate change action.
Was Max the Ansett axe? The Virgin party gets the scoop
The death of Ansett was the most emotionally charged corporate collapse in Australian history. Last night Max Moore-Wilton revealed what John Howard did when the Ansett bailout proposal arrived.
Coorey: Malcolm the martyr
If John Howard was re-elected in 2007, we’d already have an ETS up and running. Instead, Kevin Rudd wimped out and now Malcolm Turnbull remains the only one with any guts in politics, writes Phillip Coorey.
The Henry Review, reviewed
Daily media wrap: The Henry Tax Review, and the government’s long-awaited response to it, are in. Does it live up to the hype or did Rudd and Swan wimp out at the finish line?
Sheridan: Stop the boats!
The old Howard classic “We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come” is still the best refugee policy for this country and Kevin Rudd is slowly realising it, writes Greg Sheridan.
Kohler: Bugger health, this is all about Howard’s GST stuff-up
The debate about national control over health and hospitals is just Rudd’s Trojan tax horse, writes Alan Kohler. Kevin Rudd wants to wrestle back the GST from the states who’ve just wasted all the cash John Howard recklessly gave them.
Asylum seekers: is it a vote changer?
Political party strategists — perhaps due to Tampa and the 2001 election — consider asylum seekers to be a vote-changer issue for “middle Australia”. But is it? asks Peter Brent.
