All the politics writers have been trying to draw implications for the federal election from the Bradfield and Higgins byelections. But in safe Liberal seats with no Labor candidates, the obvious happened, writes Antony Green.
The Australian Sex Party has exploded onto the political sphere, thanks to getting over 3% of votes in both the Higgins and Bradfield byelections. And they aren't just dirty sexy fun, writes Mel Campbell.
Political commentators like Robert Manne, Malcolm Mackerras and Judith Brett all predicted doom and gloom for the Libs in the weekend's by-elections, gloats Gerard Henderson. Boy are their faces red now.
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.
The Australian's commentators were out in force this morning to announce the return of the Abbott through the city gates -- shouting heahs and hosannas, with Dennis Shanahan back in his happy place.
From Saturday's by-election results, it appears that much of the damage from the Liberal Party's switch on climate change looks likely to be concentrated where it can't do them much harm.
Electing Tony Abbott as leader was a huge gamble for the Libs, but it's paid off, with solid wins in the weekend's by-elections, and some promising new polling figures out today suggesting voters are returning back to the Coalition, says Dennis Shanahan.
Swings, misses and the mystery of Toork West: relive the Bradfield and Higgins by-elections, as they happened, with ABC wonk-in-residence, Antony Green
The Liberal Party easily retained the seats of Bradfield and Higgins in the weekend's Federal by-elections. Relive all the thrills and spills with Poll Bludger William Bowe.
So how will Tony Abbott's ascension this week affect the green vote in the Higgins and Bradfield by-elections this weekend? Apart from voxpopping the streets of Malvern and sniffing round the food court of Chatswood Chase, it's hard to say.