http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/steve-lewis/ Steve Lewis has been reporting politics in Canberra since 1992 and has survived the near collapse of the Fairfax media group, three Prime Ministers, Mark Latham – and a career switch from the Financial Review to the News Ltd tabloids. Drawn to the national capital by his lust for politics and fondness for pointy-headed policy, Lewis worked for the Fin until 2002 when he moved to The Australian as chief political correspondent. In late 2007, he was hired by the News Limited group publications – the Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Advertiser and Courier Mail – to report across the political spectrum. During 17 years in the Gallery, Lewis has broken a string of big hitting yarns, including Ken Henry’s fondness for the endangered hairy-nosed wombat, John Howard’s “up yours” salute to Peter Costello from Athens and Kevin Rudd’s mid-flight antics on a RAAF VIP jet. Lewis is also a foundation member of the House Howlers – the Canberra Press Gallery’s own choir whose crude attempts at political satire have thus far failed to draw any legal writs. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:00:13 +0000 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:00:13 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-uphill-battle-to-the-levy/ Julia Gillard faces her biggest political test since becoming Prime Minister to win the approval of parliament for the $5.6 billion flood rescue package. And she be may forced to negotiate a permanent Natural Disaster Fund if she wants to win the backing of key rural Independent MPs and the Greens. NSW rural MPs Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott are demanding a long-term solution to fund the regular bushfires and floods that ravage rural communities across Australia. The Greens - who are likely to back the flood rescue plan - also said they are opposed to climate program cuts announced as part of a raft of savings measures. But at least one Independent MP - Queenslander Bob Katter - said he loves the levy and will support it when it comes before Parliament. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Steve Lewis) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-uphill-battle-to-the-levy/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-uphill-battle-to-the-levy/#item4993 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:45:58 +0000 Steve Lewis | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudds-still-flying-solo/ On a crisp night in Jerusalem just over a week ago, Kevin Rudd hosted drinks for a small bunch of journalists at the famed King David Hotel. The globe-trotting Foreign Minister had jetted into Israel from Egypt, punctuating the whistle-stop visit with meetings with Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. As he sat nursing a whiskey - neat, on the rocks - Rudd was jovial enough but could barely keep his eyes open. He looked like he needed a week’s worth of sleep. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Steve Lewis) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudds-still-flying-solo/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudds-still-flying-solo/#item4758 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:50:39 +0000 Steve Lewis | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-business-of-foreign-aid-needs-a-good-audit/ When rock stars Bob Geldof and U2’s Bono stomped through the United Nations a decade ago, demanding rich nations stump up billions of dollars in extra foreign aid, the world took notice. Even John Howard signed up to this ``Make Poverty History’’ chant, determined to avoid being seen as a global Mr Scrooge. But with Australia preparing to double annual foreign aid spending to $8 billion-plus by 2015, the time is right to pause and take account of how we are managing the current program. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Steve Lewis) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-business-of-foreign-aid-needs-a-good-audit/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-business-of-foreign-aid-needs-a-good-audit/#item3140 Sun, 23 May 2010 18:54:25 +0000 Steve Lewis | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mystery-bidder-leads-race-for-dinner-with-the-pm/ HE may have strangled the Aussie language but Kevin Rudd remains an overwhelming favourite with punters according to the poll that really matters - the Press Gallery Mid Winter Ball eBay auction. The Prime Minister and his would-be assassin, Malcolm Turnbull, along with the globe-trotting Julia Gillard, have “donated” themselves as part of the Ball’s efforts to raise funds for a raft of charities. Just over 48 hours before Canberra’s night of nights, the PM holds a handy lead over his two"rivals” - with a mystery punter bidding over $15,000 to have dinner with the country’s leader. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Steve Lewis) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mystery-bidder-leads-race-for-dinner-with-the-pm/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mystery-bidder-leads-race-for-dinner-with-the-pm/#item341 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:15:11 +0000 Steve Lewis | Author bios | The Punch