2013 Election
The federal election might still be seven months away, but things are so grim for the Labor Party that minds are almost certainly being turned to a 2013 version of The Embassy Rooftop Strategy.
“It’s time to start wheeling the choppers out of their hangars,” an ALP veteran said yesterday, in reference to an operation mounted by a handful of MPs, party officials and government staffers before the 1996 election.
There is very little doubt now that Julia Gillard’s government is going to lose on September 14, and lose badly. Labor realists predict privately that the result will be worse than Paul Keating’s 1996 defeat; worse even than the anti-Whitlam routs of 1975 and 1977.
Continue reading "Time for Labor to plan what to do when they lose" »
In 1990 – that dim and distant past when trolls were just mythical Scandinavian cavedwellers and only expert cooks and photographers thought they were expert cooks and photographers – US author Mike Godwin created Godwin’s Law.
Godwin’s Law states that “as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.”
The law’s an easy way to call out lazy hyperbole.
Continue reading "This confected outrage will be our downfall" »
Latest 2 of 157 comments
View all comments-
Ian1 says:
“God, I love politics in this country… lol :o)” Me, you, and question time Mouse, Read more »
-
stephen says:
Look I do not care for the details of this war right now. (You’re all wrong, anyway.) But a newly appointed Federal Minister proves himself an idiot when, in view of current commemorations from countries whose populations were decimated by this war, contributes a pathetic passion when he accuses Mr.… Read more »
As Tony Abbott pressed the flesh at a community morning tea in suburban Melbourne on Wednesday, there was a moment of delightful candour.
“If I don’t win this election I’ll have to leave the country,” he told a well-wisher. “I’d be the world’s greatest pariah.”
Just a couple of hours after that, Julia Gillard fired the starter’s gun for the longest campaign in Australian history with her announcement that polling day will be September 14.
Continue reading "The election campaign is still about these two men" »
Latest 2 of 188 comments
View all comments-
GROBP says:
@Seano It’s probably more than 60% over priced. With downward pressure on wages (we do earn ten times our competitors and there’s no advantage left in this country) housing is one massive distribution of the nations wealth to the government sanctioned and protected banks. I’m no trol, I’m also certainly… Read more »
-
pa_kelvin says:
expat The problem is Australia doe’s not have a viable 3rd Political party as an alternative Government. Some would say the Greens are an alternative, but they will probably go the way of the Dinosaurs next election [along with 3or 4 independents], and in my view are a spent force… Read more »
A beaming Kevin Rudd and a streamlined Joe Hockey revived their celebrated double act this morning with a renewed gig on Seven’s Sunrise.
For the first time in six years the two-some returned to make clunky jokes and self-serving political observations.
Six years ago Mr Hockey, the shadow treasurer, was chastised by some Liberals for promoting Mr Rudd and helping him become Prime Minister. Today Mr Hockey tweeted, “Don’t intend to make him a PM twice.”
Continue reading "The sun rises on another stormy day in politics" »
Latest 2 of 84 comments
View all comments-
Zack says:
John just head to the Lib website and down load their policies, pretty simple. I can’t help you if you wish to ignore the reality of the situation. Australians hate corruption. The ALP is corruption central. I’m sorry your side has lost again. Maybe the ALP needs to re-think who… Read more »
-
Terence of Wollongong says:
Mal, credit where credit is due. I thought that was informative and balanced. Should I reassess your writing or are you just preparing us for the Julia as god’s gift article. Tony wasn’t responsible for any of Labor’s mess ups in this article. Or did I read it wrong? If… Read more »
The arrest of Craig Thomson is a political disaster for Labor and Julia Gillard.
It was Labor that put the former union boss into Parliament. It was the Prime Minister who repeatedly defended him and declared “complete confidence” when questions were raised about the alleged misuse of low-paid hospital workers’ union fees to pay for prostitutes.
The Thomson saga has become a massive distraction for Labor that threatens to frequently derail its election-year message.
Continue reading "This Thomson thing has always been about Gillard" »
Latest 2 of 150 comments
View all comments-
tez says:
Maybe it’s just South Australia. Read more »
-
Trev says:
Sure you don’t, Glivo. Still in denial, huh ? Best try not to remember the more than 6,216,445 ALP voters who gave them a chance to form Government then. Read more »
The decorum of Tony Abbott’s Libs versus The Fibs election strategy revealed today didn’t last long.
The Opposition Leader presented a nicely-nicely persona, a bloke who wanted policy to the fore and who would not call Prime Minister Julia Gillard a liar. He would merely make broad references to fibs.
“So my pledge to you is that I won’t say one thing before an election and do the opposite afterwards because fibbing your way into office is what’s brought our public life into disrepute,” he told the National Press Club.
Continue reading "How Thomson put an end to Mr Abbott’s nice guy act" »
Latest 2 of 121 comments
View all comments-
Max says:
@boganpride That was in 2007, and they were right. Howard even lost his own seat which is unbelievable for a sitting PM. Read more »
-
My way or the highway says:
I have come to the conclusion that she isn’t leading she is sledging and bullying. Off with his/her head. Was Bill Shorten overlooked to be advised of the election date? I wonder is he still trying to reach her shoulder to tap on it and say “Hey, what about me?” Read more »
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has done the right and brave thing in telling the country when the election will be. Right because it focuses the year on policy and takes the focus off process.
Brave because it cedes her prime ministerial prerogative to keep Tony Abbott guessing.
Continue reading "Here’s hoping that policies will get a fair airing" »
Latest 2 of 206 comments
View all comments-
Abbott on the way to the Knackery says:
Too bad Abbott was scratched and is on a float to the knackery Read more »
-
abs says:
In your dreams john u are Read more »
Despite her denial, Julia Gillard has indeed called on the world’s longest election campaign by nominating September 14 as polling day.
The Prime Minister today was daring Tony Abbott - and to a lesser extent Kevin Rudd—to put up issues of substance or fall behind in the political debate.
And in yet another of the demonstrations of strength she has come to feel necessary, she has made clear she does not intend to be cowed into an early poll. Even if the May Budget is badly received or public opinion surveys don’t lift the way Labor wants, she will go to the voters on her terms, and on her timing.
Continue reading "This is the start of the world’s longest election campaign" »
Latest 2 of 271 comments
View all comments-
gnome says:
TimB- the opposition leaders were respectively Kakrovski and Debnam. Of course you voted Labor. It was a damned sight easier choice than the one between Gillard and Abbott. Read more »
-
John says:
Record wealth, record employment, record long term investment, low inflation and low interest rates. Best PM Ever ! Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
RT @HeatherSmithAU: Can living in another country change your life for the better? by @lucyjk on @newscomau f. moi http://t.co/E5Ma3kBut2
More class from 9's footy show, lampooning a baby that allegedly looks like Sterlo with a pic swiped from Facebook http://t.co/BGoYP6Pn68
A story that's close to my heart - can living overseas change your life for the better? With thanks, @Alisa_reduxhttp://t.co/n6tksJstqs
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Latest 2 of 170 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment