David Gazard
David Gazard is one of the founding partners of Advise, a specialist communications and government relations consultancy. A former journalist, he worked for both John Howard and Peter Costello. He started his career in Canada as a crime reporter and worked from the federal press gallery covering economics. He also headed government relations for Westpac.
Articles by David Gazard
The state elections could be an albatross for Rudd’s neck
As elections in two states loom it is becoming absolutely clear that voters are in the process of switching off…... Read more
Kevin Rudd stars in the final scene from Animal Farm
You know things are going seriously awry when the party of the workers starts blaming the workers. But that’s exactly…... Read more
Catching snakes on a plain, just outside Canberra
A group of 36 Canberrans from all walks of life met last weekend with what many would consider a bizarre…... Read more
Hard lessons Rudd is learning about the economy
Watching Kevin Rudd exhort the nation to work harder to deliver greater national productivity reminded me of a university attack…... Read more
My goats say a lot about supermarkets
The journey started a few years back when a tomato and pumpkin self seeded in the mulch in our backyard.…... Read more
Making me Green in the gills
If Ralph Waldo Emerson was right when he said: “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,” then the…... Read more
NSW Labor ready to campaign against itself
You have to hand it to the Labor spin machine. While it runs around the Federal press gallery highlighting various…... Read more
Why John Della Bosca was locked out: the sad truth
No-one has yet give a credible explanation to why disgraced NSW ex-health minister John Della Bosca was locked out of…... Read more
Job-destroying green purists are deadlier than dinosaurs
There’s an ad running at the moment by a green group that attempts to paint anyone who isn’t fully supportive…... Read more
The priest who turned back the clock on reconciliation
Aboriginal reconciliation hit the headlines again this week with an extraordinary call for all non-indigenous Australians to make restitution for…... Read more
WAGs aren’t about team happiness, but marketing
It’s a good thing the Aussies have their wives and girlfriends along for the Ashes tour. Had they not been…... Read more
Churches pray for terrorist and ignore a businessman
I keep waiting for the traditional church to launch its campaign against the government’s treatment of boat people. After all,…... Read more
Binge-drinking, boob-jobs and the black art of spin
Ten years ago I had the good fortune of sitting next to Paul “The Chief” Harragon, hardman for the Newcastle…... Read more
Costello’s faith and decency did not suit brutal times
Editor’s note: David Gazard was Peter Costello’s political advisor from 2003 to 2007 and is one of his closest confidantes.…... Read more
How did aid organisations turn into political activists?
It was disturbing to read recently that 122 humanitarian workers lost their lives in strife torn countries last year, but…... Read more
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Interest rate barney barely even rates as interesting
Stop all the cheering, cut off the champagne. Prevent the pollies from barking and silence the drums.…
Life slips away while you’re filming it on your phone
Some friends of mine had lunch on Saturday with a mate who spent so much time artfully composing photos…
Other stuff to be angry about today (with chorizo pic)
That dopey Spaniard. Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has been banned for two years,…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: City vs country: What would you change your life for?
Dieter Moeckel says:
We made the tree change from Darwin to Wonbah more than 15 years ago. After fencing, a road, and couple of dams our money was gone. Super is enough to live comfortably. We have geese growing old and stringy the only one that made it to the pot committed Kamakazi by flying into a tree; the chooks are… [read more]From: I’d rather have a piece of toast than listen to crap lyrics
Erick says:
Led Zeppelin are responsible for my all-time favourite mixed metaphor: "There you sit, sit and stare, like a book on a shelf rusting." (Misty Mountain Hop) I laugh every time I hear it. Hmmm, I believe I've decided what to play on the way to work today. [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
No wuckin forries. These nuckin futs are tuckin fops
Well, puck me with a fitchfork. The F-word is apparently an acceptable part of Australian speech. That’s… Read more
