Democracy requires choice, and a party that gets into the habit of denying the voters a choice is failing in its primary duty, however convenient that might be for its elected representatives.
Ted Baillieu
For Big Ted, it’s time to shift gears
The changing of the guard at the top may be a sign that Ted Baillieu feels it is time to shift gears.
Why we need to talk about COAG
The process has been hampered by a breakdown in trust between the Commonwealth and the states, writes Paul Kildea on Inside Story.
Murdoch, Baillieu and Morgan: a story of old Melbourne families
Melbourne marked an interesting milestone last week.
Baillieu govt one year on: a ‘let ‘er rip’ approach to environment
The new Victorian government has systematically dismantled environmental protections and determinedly ignored its stewardship responsibilities to the environment, write Sandi Keane and David Donovan of Independent Australia.
OPI report: secret deals and media manipulation
A report released this week reveals a trail of misinformation, secret deals and media manipulation by a ministerial adviser that in part provoked the resignation of Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland.
The Baillieu Dump: more accountability, but same tactics from Ted
Swinburne University’s journalism program and Crikey are teaming again to bring you the Baillieu Dump, in an effort to scrutinise the workings of the state government, write co-ordinators Andrew Dodd and Sue Green.
Ex Lib spinners and media spat over who gets Big Ted’s love
Former Helen Shardey adviser-turned Sunday Herald Sun scribe James Campbell had an interesting column yesterday (in the most amusing edition of the paper in awhile, see media briefs), accusing Ted Baillieu communications tsar Josephine Cafagna of leaning on her 7:30 Victoria successor to ensure her ministers got an on-air guernsey.
Sideshow Alley: Sideshow Alley: casual racism mixed with a leadership battle
From slinging racist insults in parliament to the never-ending “battle” for ALP leadership, it’s a bumper week for Sideshow Alley, our weekly column where Crikey readers nominate the most shameless political stunts and dodgy media coverage helping to dumb down and trivialise national debate. There seems a brooding disaffection for both major parties this week among Crikey readers: Aaron Murphy: […]
Taking the wind out of Ted Baillieu’s clean energy credentials
Recently a series of reforms passed by the Baillieu government seriously diminished Victoria’s capacity to protect its natural environmental and respond to the transitional challenge of cleaner energy production, writes Tom Dreyfus.
Hope for FreezaCentral in Ted Baillieu rock pitch
Organisers of the axed FreezaCentral rock mentoring program are confident of a reprieve in next year’s Victorian budget as Premier Ted Baillieu moves to bed down its credentials as a live music saviour.
I’m a teenager and the Baillieu government is f*cked
Crikey work experience kid and angry teen Ruby Krupka writes on societal changes made under the Baillieu government, from on-the-spot swearing fines to openly gay students being allowed to get expelled from religious schools.
Peter Reith may be the answer, but what’s the question?
If you ever wanted a demonstration of the chaotic nature of the Liberal Party’s factional landscape, the fight for the federal presidency should do it.
Unequal opportunities for discrimination in Victoria
In the early hours of yesterday morning, state parliament — after an earlier hiccup — passed the government’s amendments to Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act reversing changes made last year by the Labor government.
language A f#@%ing stupid law
It’s unbelievable that Victoria still has legislation against offensive behaviour and ‘obscene’ language. Six months imprisonment for thrice singing an obscene ballad? Jesus fucking christ! says Aidan Wilson.
Baillieu spinners in a spin over resources, as Nine veteran tapped
The strain at the top of the Baillieu Government’s fledgling media operation is beginning to show with veteran former Channel Nine political reporter David Broadbent — a former roommate of Jeff Kennett — drafted in to refine the message emanating from Liberal HQ.
Allens Arthur Robinson in bitter Baillieu boardroom brawl
One of Australia’s biggest commercial law firms has been dragged into a bitter boardroom spat between the family of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and fast-growing software firm Aconex.
Life on the railroad: caught between state screw-ups and federal follies
More than six months after the ill-fated Brumby government rattled dozens of Footscray residents and business-owners by forgetting to tell them about a plan to bulldoze their properties to make way for the new Regional Rail Link, homeowners here are facing more uncertainty. Local resident Pat McGrath explains.
Baillieu government to probe VMIA’s ‘culture of fear’
The Baillieu Government will flex its muscle in dealing with a “culture of fear” that has engulfed the troubled Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, following a raft of bullying complaints and an exodus of eight senior staff in the last two months.
Not much of a contest in Broadmeadows
Australia’s first election for the year will be a rather sedate affair.
Big Ted and the climate change blame game
No single event can ever be shown to be “caused” by a long-term trend: not because the evidence isn’t there, but because the question is unanswerable in principle. Causation just doesn’t work like that.
What went wrong for John Brumby? Nick Reece has the back rooms talking
When outgoing Victorian ALP state secretary Nick Reece took to the podium at the Melbourne Press Club yesterday to explain his campaign failure, but didn’t actually admit to any mistakes, the ripples of discontent could be heard across the party’s disillusioned and dwindling membership.
Richardson: big Ted takes a dangerous prize
For better or worse, Victoria’s new government has the chance to do what it wants.
