Crikey media wrap: The good bus Australia has been chugging along without a driver now for several weeks, but with a boost from independent suspension we’ve nearly reached destination PM.
Tony Abbott
Follow Crikey’s latest coverage of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Crikey’s Tony Abbott coverage includes independent news, blogs and commentary.
Tony Abbott’s very bad week
Crikey media wrap: Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie gave his thumbs up to a Gillard government yesterday, putting the PM job within Julia Gillard’s grasp.
The hypocrisy of costings
This week we were reminded once again that Tony Abbott is an economic lightweight. The Coalition “costings blowout” may be overstated, but its hypocrisy is much worse.
Crikey Says: Redefining competence
Much of the Coalition’s enormous success in becoming not merely electorally competitive but to reach the verge of forming government lies in its successful selling of the idea of competence.
Abbott’s multi-billion dollar black hole
Crikey Media Wrap: It costs how much? Costings have once again become a debacle for Tony Abbott, after official Treasury figures found a whopping $7 billion — with talk it could be as high as $10.6 billion — hole in Coalition policies.
Tony’s $7 billion boo boo
After scrutinizing the Coalition’s costings the departments of Treasury and Finance came back with an official tsk-tsk, locating a budget hole to tune of $7 billion.
Why we should only guarantee a minimum 18-month term
Whoever secures an extremely fragile minority government in the coming days will have an incentive to perform sensibly for a few months and then dash to an early election once the polls improve.
A parliamentary budget office — great idea, but don’t get carried away
A Parliamentary Budget Office is a good idea, but it should be done properly and don’t expect it to settle any arguments.
Wright: Wilkie forgot to ask for the kitchen sink
Relishing his new role in the national political spotlight, Tasmania MP Andrew Wilkie has served Gillard and Abbott a rather exuberant wish list of demands. Neither of them will be capable of fulfilling his enormous ambition, says Tony Wright.
Savva: Time to do the ministerial shuffle
While they grapple with the independents, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are under pressure to rejig their leadership teams and front benches. Andrew Robb should be in Treasury and Kevin Rudd should be in defence, writes Niki Savva.
The power of Wilkie
Andrew Wilkie is playing a clever hand with his anti-pokies policy auction by promising a decision before the other three independents have barely started sweeping deliberations with department heads and senior big party politicians.
Crikey Says: What the devil? Oakeshott gets Heffed
Tony Abbott, coalition leader, potential Prime Minister, currently negotiating with the four independent MPs in order to obtain minority government, six days ago…
Grattan: Please god, not another election
The stakes are high right now in Canberra and it’s still anyone’s guess who will grab the top job. But heading to the polls again would not guarantee a more secure political future, warns Michelle Grattan.
One week on, still no PM
Daily Media Wrap: The blame game continues to be Canberra’s favourite pastime, as the media both thrashes and exalts the Greens, wonders how a hung parliament will work and tries to figure out whether Labor or Liberal is more of a shambles.
Coorey: Abbott kinder and gentler? Yeah, right
It’s best to take Tony Abbott’s recent call for a “kinder and gentler” approach to politics with a grain - or a shaker - of salt. The last time he spoke along these lines it ended in disaster, writes Phillip Coorey.
Abbott’s freeze could devastate The Oz
A government insider with specific experience placing APS jobs ads in The Australian has told Crikey that Abbott’s freeze has the “potential to devastate The Australian.”
Common sense from independents has conservatives deeply unhappy
Against expectations, the rural independents have made a strong start in their quest for political and economic stability. And conservatives don’t like it.
Kelly: Don’t stuff this up Australia
The hung parliament means the three independents have a chance to create a Parliamentary Budget Office. But they are squandering their opportunity, says Paul Kelly
Guy Rundle: 
I did not misunderestimate Tony Abbott
Guy Rundle’s big error in pre-election reporting was not underestimating Abbott, but overestimating Labor. Merely saying that Labor has a pulse would have been to overestimate them, says Rundle.
The dog ate my Treasury costings
After Tony Abbott denied the three independent amigos’ request for Coalition Treasury costings - arguing public servants don’t understand opposition policies as well as government policies - he has now changed his tune and is offering a new excuse, writes Michelle Grattan.
Forget the love-in stuff — independents could bring a revolution in accountability
The three independents have issued an extraordinary list of demands to the major parties that could revolutionise federal politics.
Rundle: we’re entering a new dimension here, people
The independents and minor parties should push this process until the rivets are popping.
How many camels for the Independent bride?
This deal-making with Tony, Julia and the Independents is like organising a dowry for an arranged marriage, with the added sideshow of sporting achievements and Bob Katter’s Akubra, writes Samantha Maiden.
What might a Coalition government mean for health reform?
There is a distinct possibility that a huge amount of effort and resources invested in health care reform will end up in the dustbin under a Coalition government. Croakey compiles a list of what we can expect to be ditched.
Abbott declines request for costings
Daily Media Wrap: The national sideshow starring Australia’s three amigo independents continues, with the trio of potential deal-makers requesting to scrutinize Treasury costings of both major parties. But Tony Abbott refused point black to comply. Has he got something to hide?
Historically Hung Over: The Crikey Guide To The 2010 Federal Election
