Even if Abbott wins a 2013 election it would likely be mid-2015 before any carbon price legislation could potentially pass a joint sitting of both houses, writes Matt Grudnoff, a senior economist at The Australia Institute.
Nick Minchin
The Power Index Power Shots: Nick Minchin, keeper of the Howard flame … NGV’s power benefactor …
Leader of the Right and keeper of the Howard flame, Nick Minchin is still regarded by some as the Liberal Party’s spiritual leader. Also, the NGV’s power benefactor, Alan Joyce finds friends in the market and Bolt and Negus back in 2012.
Reith v Abbott: the early 90s wants its zeal back
The tensions between Tony Abbott and Peter Reith have deep roots in recent Liberal history. The former minister’s eagerness to prevent a return to “the Fraser years”, unencumbered by the party presidency, will be fascinating to watch.
Parting shots: Liberal senators bid their political careers farewell
It’s that time of the six-year electoral Senate cycle again, where departing senators give their valedictory speeches outlining what they’ve accomplished and how their political dreams were crushed. Crikey documents the farewells.
If the Liberals oppose the NBN, they have to back splitting Telstra
If the Liberals are serious about an alternative approach to NBN, they have to start with the vertical separation of Telstra, write Bernard Keane and Glenn Dyer.
A love letter to my ‘mate’ Nick Minchin
Sinologist-at-large Graeme Smith reports from behind the Q&A scenes. Nick Minchin said they were “mates”, then it all went sour…
Inside the Liberal Senators infighting
Eric Abetz is expected to be named as Nick Minchin’s replacement as Senate leader, but fighting has broken out over the deputy position. Will the conservative Mathias Cormann beat the moderate George Brandis? asks Latika Bourke.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Less than 50 ain’t a fail
Crikey readers weigh in on Mike Rann’s personal approval rating, Guy Rundle’s fact checking and whether Nick Minchin is retiring due to family reasons or cash.
The media tells Minchin to get Nick’d
Daily media wrap: Coalition frontbencher Nick Minchin announced his resignation from Federal politics yesterday. With the dirt in his political grave still fresh, the nation’s pundits have gathered round his tombstone this morning to carve in their own epitaph.
Crikey Says: Climate change, brought to you by dumb and dumber
Earth Hour was never much more than a branding exercise concocted by a major ad agency to make corporations look good. We get that. But does it have to be a reds vs. greens issue?
Minchin departs: mission (mostly) accomplished
It’s official, Nick Minchin will be retiring at the next election. Bernard Keane reflects on the senator whose greatest coup was wrangling the leadership for Tony Abbott.
Abbott’s a good sport with political games
This week’s Four Corners offered a fascinating profile on Tony Abbott’s life before he became Opposition leader. But what about since then? Is he just Howard 2.0? asks The Piping Shrike.
Crikey Clarifier: RECs — what on earth are they all about?
Evan Beaver explains just what Renewable Energy Certificates are all about. What are they? Where do they come from? Is Nick Minchin making them?
The Aussie year in politics: all the #spills and thrills
From Malcolm Turnbull’s reckless interview with Laurie Oakes, to Nick Minchin mouthing off over climate change sceptics, The Piping Shrike puts together the best Aussie politics moments of ‘09.
Nick Minchin: 2009′s most appalling person
Nick Minchin beats out the likes of Stephen Conroy, a snivelling public servant, a philandering golfer and an Iranian dictator for the coveted Golden Arsehat of 2009.
The 2009 Crikey Arsehat Awards
From Vegemite’s iSnack 2.0 to Andrew Bolt to the overuse of the phrase “A great big tax”, Crikey readers vote on the biggest Arsehats of 2009.
Dollar a pain in the bottom line for Telstra, Foster’s
A bit of a confession Friday with two of our largest companies revealing lower earnings, and both blaming the high value of the Australian dollar.
Nuclear energy: the Coalition’s next big power struggle
The Coalition’s internal squabbling is far from over, and the next big battle will be fought over the highly-divisive issue of nuclear power, says Jim Green, when Abbott is finally forced to take a position on it next year.
Guy Rundle: Rundle: on Minchin, the green movement and Marxism
Understand this clearly – more people now believe the Red-Green hypothesis, that capitalism is a system testing us to destruction in its current form, than go with the idea that it is some empty charade of communism by other means.
Political snippets: A return to Kevin07?
Stand by for pointless aggro, because the sooner we get the next election over, the better. Plus, Westpac boss Gail Kelly surely can’t believe her own press?
Crikey Says: The party puppeteers pulling all the strings
A fascinating feature of last week’s political killing season — a Premier and a federal Opposition Leader gunned down over three blood-spilling days — was the role of the Tripodi, Obeid and Minchin as sneaky puppeteers.
Mungo MacCallum: Time for Rudd to restore rationality and for Abbott to self-destruct
Is Tony Abbott the Speedoed crusader who will save us all from the greenie communist scourge? At the very least, Abbott provides a clear political distinction for the electorate.
Turnbull will now watch, wait and white-ant
Malcolm Turnbull will now do to Abbott and Minchin — for it is Nick Minchin who is now in charge of the Liberal Party — what Costello did to him; simply sit there, watching, a threat by his mere existence, writes Bernard Keane.
