Pratt gives back his Companion of the Order of Australia. Crikey can think of another prat who should, writes Sophie Black
Minister john howard
Nats and Libs in merger fever
After 16 months on the backbench, Lawrence Springborg is back in charge of the Queensland Nats and his merger crusade seems unstoppable, writes Alex Mitchell.
Learning from Howard’s record on reconciliation
We should be optimistic, but we should not forget how the “sorry debate” came to be so big an issue for this nation. We should not forget how easy it is for Indigenous issues to become the ball in a game of dirty party politics. And we should not forget that most of the senior members of Howard’s cabinet those who so gutlessly acquiesced to the bitter agenda of a small man are still in parliament today, writes Chris Graham.
Blogwatch: the sorry edition
One John did say Sorry … I’m glad John Howard refused to say sorry … Indoctrination of our kids.
MFS on the rocks: shaken and stirred
The spectacular MFS Limited implosion has scored a direct hit on the corporate reputation of its independent chairman Andrew Peacock and its senior executives, writes Alex Mitchell.
Manildra shells out $348,300 in ALP donations
There was a time when the ALP sent back a $50,000 cheque from the head of the Manildra Group of companies Dick Honan but times have apparently changed, writes Richard Farmer.
Hillary was no Bradman. Hillary was a great man
On the face of it Edmund Hillary is to New Zealand what Don Bradman is to Australia. But that is where the comparison should end, writes Greg Barns.
Henderson: Howard’s culture wars are greatly exaggerated
Australia’s cultural institutions are much the same now as when John Howard became prime minister in March 1996, writes Gerard Henderson.
A great week for women in power … and Maxine’s skirt
The furore surrounding the publication of a demeaning, suggestive photograph of Maxine McKew on the front page of the Canberra Times underlines the embedded nature of sexist reporting of women in politics, writes Julie Posetti.
Iemma secures legacy, and will now resign in ‘08
NSW Premier Morris Iemma has secured the privatization of the State’s electricity, his place in Labor history and his retirement plan for 2008, writes Alex Mitchell.
Nelson’s carbon target scare fails the scariness test
Will Brendan Nelson’s warnings of devastation for household budgets come true if Prime Minister Rudd gets his way on carbon targets? Not according to these figures, writes Thomas Hunter.
Give us a break Julia
We learned this morning what Labor means by not playing the blame game. The new Federal Government rule is that the Labor administrations in every State and Territory were not responsible for any policy failures, writes Richard Farmer.
The Daily Verdict: Day 38 & the agenda meets the Press Club
At the National Press Club this afternoon Prime Minister John Howard certainly stressed his economic management record and the risk posed by Labor but he discovered again just how difficult it is to set the agenda, writes Richard Farmer.
Reality check: Further signs of interest
There were further signs over the weekend that people are at last beginning to take a real interest in the election. Political stories on websites are being read in increasing numbers, writes Richard Farmer.
The Daily Verdict: Days 33, 34 & 35 and the UN comes to Labor’s aid
When you are hot you are hot and the Labor Party campaign received another free-kick at the weekend with the release by the United Nations of the summary paper on climate change prepared for delegates to the talk-fest to be held in Bali a week after the Australian election, writes Richard Farmer.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
Prime Minister John Howard this morning on ABC radio: “If Mr Rudd wants to have a debate about surpluses between now and election day, make my day.” Over to you, Kevin Rudd. This is the debate you demanded. Do it.
Coalition launch: First reactions from the media
What the papers are saying straight off the bat…
The Daily Verdict: Days 12, 13 & 14
The momentum of this election seems to be sliding away from Prime Minister John Howard. Friday and the weekend saw quite ordinary performances from the Coalition and Labor were clear winners on our Daily Verdict calculations.
Daily Verdict Day 11: Kevin beaten by grey power
The footage of Kevin Rudd being verbally confronted by grey power while on a visit to Tasmania was not a good look for Labor. It exposed for the whole nation to see just how exploitative politicians are in their daily quest for helpful pictures, writes Richard Farmer.
The Daily Verdict: Day 9 and a pensionable win for the Libs
I know I’ll be of pensionable age before this election is held so you can call me biased if you want to but the Coalition’s appeal to grey power put it clearly on top of The Daily Verdict for yesterday, writes Richard Farmer.
The Daily Verdict: Day 8 and Labor is powerwalking
The morning walks of Prime Minister John Howard are something of an anomaly in these days when political parties try to carefully control every word and movement of their leader to make sure that there is no disruption of the chosen message. Yesterday provided Labor with another clear win, writes Richard Farmer.
Political bite-sized meaty chunks
Short man, short notice … Defeat is an orphan … Media events and media revenge … Wild and crazy candidates …
The PM’s Bennelong boo-boo
Prime Minister John Howard this morning refused to commit to serving out a full term as Member for Bennelong if the Coalition is defeated at the election – whenever that is.
