Michelle Grattan fires up over MP Scott Morrison’s non-apology for his “insensitive” comments about asylum seekers attending funerals, declaring that Abbott needs to “get back the discipline”, before the Opposition unravels completely.
Liberal leadership
Hartcher: The one day wonder of the Robb challenge
For about three seconds there, Andrew Robb planned to challenge Julie Bishop for the role of Liberal deputy, as revenge to Joe Hockey. Peter Hartcher reveals how it all fell apart.
Maiden: The Bishop death stare strikes again
News that Andrew Robb was to challenge Julia Bishop for the Liberal deputy position had Canberra abuzz yesterday. But just hours later the story was crushed, as Bishop continues to live up to her cockroach nickname, writes Samantha Maiden.
Keane essay: Abbott and Gillard two strikingly different politicians
For all the superficial similarities — they are both novice leaders and both reached the top job by knifing their predecessors — Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard are strikingly different politicians.
Australian politics is a decaying carcass
Kevin Rudd’s dropping in the polls, but Tony Abbott’s popularity isn’t sky rocketing. From Julia Gillard pathetically pushing the Abbott-Turnbull tension to Rudd ETS failure, Australian politics is a sad state of affairs.
Joye: My advice to Malcolm
“Interested observer” Christopher Joye weighs in on Malcolm Turnbull’s non-retirement. Turnbull 2.0 won’t be the rollercoaster ride as before, but he needs to assimilate himself back into the party.
Grattan: Turnbull still wants to be boss
Malcolm Turnbull did a neat little backflip and announced he won’t be retiring at the next election. Why? Because Turnbull still harbors dreams of being PM. And he can do it, writes Michelle Grattan.
Abbott’s crass populism will have many casualties
Tony Abbott is replacing Liberal values with crass right-wing populism. Abbott’s Liberals increasingly resemble Tea Partiers, albeit without the brains.
Henderson: Bugger off Malcolm, we don’t want you
There’s no way that Malcolm Turnbull should even reconsider his retirement, says Gerard Henderson. The Liberal Party don’t want an ETS and Turnbull doesn’t have the support of his party room.
Milne: Who is the next heir to the Liberal throne?
The Liberal Party isn’t convinced Joe Hockey has what it takes to be Tony Abbott’s heir apparent. So who else has it got? asks Glenn Milne: Pyne? Dutton?
Costello: Malcolm joins the underachiever list
Politicians should get a pay rise and a better superannuation package, says Peter Costello. It’s the best way to get good, young politicians who aren’t already tainted by the outside world.
Where Turnbull went wrong
It wasn’t Utegate or the ETS that destroyed Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership chances and brought upon his political demise. It’s the fact that Turnbull never cared about the Liberal Party, he just cared for himself.
Shanahan: Hockey, put the baby down and get back to the office
Joe Hockey is spending too much time hanging at home with the kids and not enough time being a rash on the media, pushing Coalition policies. Is he too soft to be capable? asks Dennis Shanahan.
Turnbull departs: but where is the party heading?
Malcolm Turnbull was the only senior Liberal who could have created an ideological path forward for his party. His departure leaves it in a mess.
Van Onselen: The reason for Abbott’s cheeky grin
Liberal leader Tony Abbott must be pretty content, since his net satisfaction is on the rise while Kevin Rudd’s popularity is slowing but surely dropping, notes Peter Van Onselen But is the rise in love for Abbott simply due to frustration in Rudd?
Marieke Hardy: It’s a pity party for Turnbull and you’re all invited
It’s sad to watch Malcolm Turnbull skulk the halls of parliament, a shadow of his former self. Luckily he has some company out there in the political wilderness: Peter Garrett, writes Marieke Hardy.
Grattan: Abbott both Howard’s love child and troublesome teen
Lib leader Tony Abbott does love his old leader Howard, but even their shared conservatism mixed with pragmatism has a few differences. As Abbott’s popularity rises, can he balance Howardism with Abbott extremism? asks Michelle Grattan.
We’re all going on a summer holiday… except Abbott
2009 was a charmed year for Tony Abbott. But as Kevin enjoys the fishing in Tassie, there’s no rest for the wicked as Abbott busily plans, talks and writes his moves for the election storm ahead.
Whatever Rudd is, Abbott is the opposite
Kevin Rudd isn’t quite sure how to handle new Opposition leader Tony Abbott yet. From refugees to climate change, Abbott’s been out on the Rudd offensive and Kevin is right to be worried, says Paul Daley.
Mavericks are not messiahs
A warning to Tony Abbott: Barnaby Joyce on the front bench will do more harm than good, says Peter van Onselen. Having an independent thinker is a disaster when it comes to controlling a group. Is Joyce being promoted beyond his own competence?
Turnbull in the Times: I was fired for trying to save the planet
Malcolm Turnbull has — somewhat inexplicably — been given an op-ed in the UK Times, giving his own version of his downfall, in which he, the noble martyr of the environment, was knifed by nasty climate sceptics while trying to save the world.
Fran Kelly: Fight, fight, fight, fight… Abbott’s itching for one
Former boxer and current Liberal leader Tony Abbott may be chomping at the bit for an election battle, but a look at Labor history shows aggressive Oppositions don’t win elections, notes Fran Kelly. Remember Mark Latham?
Grattan: Abbott’s on the offensive
Malcolm Turnbull feared an early election, Tony Abbott says bring it on. Turnbull pushed for an ETS, Abbott turned ETS debate into a tax fight. Abbott is ready to battle Rudd at the next election, says Michelle Grattan.
Crabb: Howard’s heir ruffles the Love Rug
What other Liberal leader would discuss his family’s Communist background and his admiration for an old Labor stalwart? Opposition leader Tony Abbott thrills a conservative crowd like no other, writes Annabel Crabb.
An ode to Wilson Tuckey: the cunning, backstabbing liar
Wilson Tuckey is the true underrated power tool of the Liberal Party, writes Barrie Cassidy. People think he’s a bumbling fool, while really Tuckey’s manoeuvred and decided the future of most Liberal leaders. But how?
