Tag Michelle Grattan
By Michelle Grattan This time a year ago, we were on the cusp of the October 14 Voice referendum. Most players were already aware it was doomed. Less understood was just how far-reaching would be the impact of what, in… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Peter Dutton has his tail up, but he’s being careful to manage expectations. As the opposition celebrates its suddenly improved fortunes, Dutton told the party room this week that inevitably the government would recalibrate over… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra At a White House briefing last week, Joe Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, was asked whether there’d been any thought of postponing Anthony Albanese’s state visit because of the Middle East conflict. No, she said,… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has launched a swingeing attack on the Labor government over the AUKUS submarine agreement, accusing Anthony Albanese of relying on “two seriously unwise ministers, Penny Wong and Richard Marles”. Keating… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra. Liberal frontbencher Karen Andrews wouldn’t be alone among her colleagues in believing Scott Morrison should quit parliament. Andrews, home affairs minister in the former government, on Tuesday declared the Australian people were “betrayed” by Morrison’s… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Australia’s response to COVID-19 exacerbated existing inequalities within the society, according to an independent review, which urges that “overreach” be avoided in dealing with future such crises. Those bearing “the brunt” of the pandemic included… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra. One of the more bizarre things Scott Morrison said in his hour-long, sometimes combative, Wednesday news conference was that he’d had a “wonderful” conversation with former Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday. Morrison contacted Frydenberg… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra. The only credible explanation for Scott Morrison personally installing himself, as an undisclosed ministerial partner, in several portfolios is the former prime minister’s passion for control. The fact he didn’t tell senior colleagues, let alone… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra. Anthony Albanese had expected the election might be a week earlier than it was, because last Saturday would bump up against Tuesday’s Quad meeting in Tokyo. But Scott Morrison wanted maximum time to try to… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra The Morrison government has been resoundingly defeated, with Labor headed for office, although whether in a minority or majority was unclear late Saturday night. Anthony Albanese becomes Australia’s 31st prime minister. Labor had 73 seats… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra. Australian voters will go to the polls on May 21. The government enters the battle trailing the opposition 46-54% in the latest Newspoll, conducted after the budget, with Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese virtually… Continue Reading →
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra This month about as many people have died with COVID in Australia – more than 1,000 – as die in the whole of a bad year from influenza. “Because of extraordinarily high virus transmission, we’re… Continue Reading →