Opposition Leader Tony Abbott bested the Prime Minister for media coverage this week by a wide margin. Australia has more or less made up its mind that he will be in power come September.
READ MORE1515 Results
Follow Crikey’s latest coverage of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Crikey’s Tony Abbott coverage includes independent news, blogs and commentary.
China’s economy still booming
Crikey readers talk China’s economy, class warfare and future prime minister Tony Abbott.
READ MOREThe Power Index: who’ll really decide the federal election?
The wonks, the flacks, the hacks and the headkickers — here are the people who are doing their damnedest to get Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott into the Lodge. The Power Index names the string-pullers.
READ MORESudden outbreak of responsibility from both parties on budget
The Coalition’s sudden enthusiasm for spending cuts is rather hypocritical — but a welcome embrace of fiscal responsibility. Both major parties are lifting their game, improving the dire standards in political debate.
READ MORECrikey calling: budget blues — and surprises
Budget week in Canberra highlighted the economic constraints facing an Abbott government — and gave a hint that the Coalition may be Labor lite when it comes to future budgets. Crikey deputy editor Cathy Alexander talks with Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane.
READ MOREAbbott budget reply: mind the gap between rhetoric and reality
Tony Abbott’s budget reply speech suggests that, despite a “budget emergency”, a Coalition government’s fiscal policy would be broadly similar to Labor’s. His rhetoric is austere, but his promises are not.
READ MOREAbbott’s golden promises
Crikeyreaders talk gold in its various permutations and what the Treasurer’s real job is.
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
If you want to know a man’s political persuasion, ask him how much he can bench. Plus other political views along the way.
READ MOREAbbott’s budget reply: yes, you can have substance without risk
This year has demonstrated that the Opposition can produce policy without too much risk. The budget reply is an opportunity to continue that.
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
Income disparity is widening rapidly, particularly in Chile, Mexico, the US and Israel. Plus other political views noted along the way
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
The normal record of Treasury over the last 20 years was to underestimate likely revenue rather than overestimate it, Richard Farmer reminds us.
READ MOREA Skywhale of a disaster
Crikey readers talk the NDIS, Eurovision and the merits (or lack thereof) of Canberra’s Skywhale.
READ MORELook out, the Scandinavian children are about
There’s nothing like parental leave. Go to a movie, play squash, wash the car — all these activities lie on the same plane. Put “be with your child” in it, you’ll see the difference.
READ MOREiSentia index: Swan flies into first as PM loses media ground
No surprises to see Wayne Swan win the most media mentions in budget week. But Tony Abbott shaded the Prime Minister in the fight for attention.
READ MOREParental leave, or why is it always Sweden?
Paid parental leave is actually quite a conservative policy that erodes women’s rights and entrenches gender division. Just look at Sweden’s generous scheme for evidence of that.
READ MOREAbbott’s e-book: a beautiful union between the Libs and indie lit?
Tony Abbott embraced the indie lit scene and announced his new e-book yesterday, writes Bethanie Blanchard. Does that mean the Liberals are drinking cheap wine as they wait for reviews?
READ MOREEssential: something for everyone, but Liberal voters reject Abbott’s PPL
Both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have improved their standing with voters, this week’s Essential Report reveals, but voters aren’t impressed with Abbott’s Paid Parental Leave scheme — especially Liberal voters.
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
Richard Farmer remembers the revolt Wayne Swan led against then treasurer John Dawkins, plus other political views noted along the way.
READ MOREPromiseWatch 2013: industrial relations
Workplace policy remains a key — perhaps the key — point of difference between the major political parties in Australia. Crikey examines each party’s IR offerings …
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
Julia Gillard probably can’t expect a late rally of support for the ALP before the election — but she can take heart that it’s not her fault
READ MOREWorkChoices it ain’t, but Abbott’s IR plan is partly feral
The Coalition has finally unveiled its IR policy, a minimalist document that is not without its concerns for trade unions — and anyone walking past a building site.
READ MORELet’s acknowledge Abbott’s parental leave plan is better
Forget the misplaced rhetoric, Tony Abbott’s paid parental leave scheme is more generous and sends the right message about women in work. This “hardline feminist” is happy to say so.
READ MOREiSentia index: de facto PM Abbott rides high
Tony Abbott is getting almost equal media time to the PM — as if he were now de facto prime minister.
READ MORETips and rumours
NBN website nothing to do with Labor … MP Dennis Jensen stokes revolt on PPL … the days of five-hour work lunches on the company card are over …
READ MORERichard Farmer’s chunky bits
Ernst & Young says in its latest Fraud Survey published this week that hard-pressed company bosses are under so much pressure to deliver on growth that many have resorted to cooking the books.
READ MORE



























