Pratt gives back his Companion of the Order of Australia. Crikey can think of another prat who should, writes Sophie Black
Prime minister john
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.
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.
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.
Mungo MacCallum: John Howard – decline and fall: Part 1
In the first of a series of extracts from Mungo MacCallum’s new book “Poll Dancing: The Story of the 2007 Election,” he examines where it all went wrong for John Howard.
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: Greens make the lists
It is interesting to see stories about the Greens finally making the best read lists on internet news lists. There are two of them shown on this morning’s Reality Check and it coincides with Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown bobbing up more frequently on news and current affairs television.
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…
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 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.
The Daily Verdict: Day 2
The Crikey Daily Verdict Indicator shows the second win in a row for the Coalition campaign team. Yesterday’s gap was considerable – nearly six points on our 10 point scale with the Coalition scoring 7.5 points to Labor’s 1.7.
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.
Proof Rudd’s not preparing for government
If evidence was needed that Kevin Rudd is not taking victory for granted the last few days provided it. Mr Rudd could not give an answer off pat about who would be Treasurer in a Labor Government because he had not really thought about it.
A big week on the gravy trains
It’s been an expensive week for the coffers of the Federal Treasury as the PM John Howard warms up for the election campaign proper. That Kevin Rudd is more than just a “me too” man is shown by the enthusiasm with which he, like Mr Howard, hands out the goodies as he travels around the country.
Don’t count Pauline out yet
The successful registration of Pauline Hanson’s new political party increases the chance of Ms Hanson winning the last Senate seat in Queensland and thus having a major say in what governing the next government can actually do.
Howard studies the form but misses the point
One of the problems about doing the form for elections is that there are so few events to study for precedents. But John Howard seems to have few reservations about his ability to determine from a small sample what things matter and what do not.
