Maybe Peter Costello has a cunning plan. More likely, he hasn’t got the stomach for opposition. He didn’t have the guts to be Prime Minister. He certainly won’t have the guts to be Opposition Leader, writes David MacCormack.
Kim Beazley
Tips and rumours
This morning a large sum of money appeared in my bank account. I rang my bank and was told it was a family payment from the government. I was also told that a lot of people have received a payment this morning. Until I get a letter I’m not sure what this payment is for […]
Alas, the “narrowing” will be too late for Howard
This poll-mix, which includes the just-released Morgan, is fortnightly, and stretches back to the last weeks of Kim Beazley’s leadership, writes Peter Brent.
MacCormack: Howard struggles as Rudd stays on message
Ouch. You know Kevin Rudd must have flogged John Howard last night when even The Australian scored it a narrow victory to the Labor leader, writes David MacCormack.
Vale Kim Beazley Snr, link to politics past
Beazley pere was one of Labor’s old guard, who saw much of the Whitlamite liberalisation as anathema. Guy Rundle looks back.
Newspoll: 56-44 … again
The Australian’s “56 to 44” typeset must be close to clapped out from over-use. The most recent poll-mix, of four polls in the fortnight up to yesterday and taking in the weekend’s Newspoll, comes to 57 to 43 in Labor’s favour.
The PM is ready to make his final declaration of war
It’s barely perceptible, but you can just sense the federal election slipping back towards John Howard., writes Alex Mitchell.
Kim Beazley fighting the stage fright
Kim Beazley was a political actor who constantly had to battle his stage fright. Behind the apparently calm and confident man who lectured us with long words in lengthy sentences was a nervous Nellie quite lacking in confidence, writes Richard Farmer.
A portrait of the week that was…
What a week! And First Dog On The Moon looks at Crosby-Textor’s poll monster.
Mixing the polls: Monday edition
Friday’s Morgan poll had federal Labor ahead of the government 59 to 41 two party preferred. Such a result, if repeated at an election – assuming a uniform swing – would translate to… well…you know the rest.
If Rudd is victorious, how will he share the spoils?
If Kevin Rudd is elected Prime Minister, he now has to find jobs for two ex-Premiers, Bob Carr and Steve Bracks, and one who has signalled he is stepping down in the near future, Queensland’s Peter Beattie.
Cobber cans Kev’s compromises
Kevin Rudd seems to be practising a crude form of utilitarianism. He believes winning the greatest number of seats will guarantee the greatest happiness for the ALP – and is determined not to let anything get in his way.
Yet again, Kevin Andrews drops the ball
The Labor Party must really appreciate the efforts of Kevin Andrews. His quite unappealing television presence is hampering the Government efforts to make an issue of national security, writes Richard Farmer.
The Coalition will always have Aston
In addition to Bastille Day, there was another significant anniversary on Saturday - six years since the Aston by-election, caused by the death of local member Peter Nugent. The Howard government narrowly retained the seat despite a 3.6% swing.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Crikey Says – 27 June, 2007
This is the last throw of the dice for John Howard. He is doing one big favour for the mining industry which he has faithfully served in public life for the past 30 years by rolling back Aboriginal ownership of their tribal lands. Cynically, cruelly but utterly predictably, he’s doing it under the hypocritical colours of humanitarianism.
Mark Latham: a fair-weather friend?
So Mark Latham anoints Julia Gillard as his No. 1 politician in these pages yesterday. Which is nice, but yet another mixed message from Mark.
