Michelle Grattan
Michelle Grattan is the political editor of The Age. In 2008, she shared the Melbourne Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award with Laurie Oakes. She edited the books 'Reconciliation' and 'Australian Prime Ministers' (2000), and wrote 'Back on the Wool Track' (2004).
Michelle Grattan
Labor still struggling with the carbon price fallout
Michelle Grattan THE carbon tax probably peaked as an issue before the price started - indeed, its first three months have been an anti-climax.
China seeking stake in Australian dairy
Michelle Grattan and John Garnaut Sovereign wealth fund in negotiations with Australia's largest dairying operation.
Michelle Grattan
Workmanlike Abbott presents a small target
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott's budget reply was little more than workmanlike.
Swan's cash splash
Michelle Grattan Families will benefit from the axing of promised company tax cuts.
Michelle Grattan
Labor splashes out with a lesson in Howard history
Michelle Grattan This budget seeks to shore up the weakened defences of a government on the ropes.
Michelle Grattan
Dark clouds hang over government
Michelle Grattan This budget is very much about one of the dark clouds hanging over the government. No, not Craig Thomson. Or Peter Slipper. The carbon cloud.
Swan set to deliver $1.5 billion surplus
Michelle Grattan A wafer-thin $1.5 billion surplus for 2012-13 will be the centrepiece of a budget that Treasurer Wayne Swan will say provides a buffer against uncertain global conditions and allows for interest rate...
Aid for struggling businesses
Michelle Grattan A tax break for small businesses and a cash payment to parents of school-age children ahead of the carbon tax price hikes will be two sweeteners in an otherwise tough federal budget to be delivered...
Budgeting for clear air
Michelle Grattan Julia Gillard and her government are in perpetual search of an elusive nirvana - that political place where there's ''clear air''.
Headhunters omitted Gonski in line-up
Michelle Grattan The firm that searched for a Future Fund chairman did not include David Gonski.
Local growth to aid surplus
Michelle Grattan, Peter Martin and Richard Willingham Australia's economic growth is set to accelerate to the fastest rate in the developed world, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Union leader attacks China
Michelle Grattan Paul Howes warns that free trade without proper rules could end in 'bloodbath'.
Solar power tops poll of positive perceptions
Michelle Grattan Solar energy has a very positive rating in the public's mind, while the nuclear industry and coal-fired power stations are at the bottom.
Most expect house prices to rise over five years
Michelle Grattan New research finds only eight per cent of Australians think prices will fall.
Brokers' pay protected under advice reforms
Michelle Grattan Traditional ways of remunerating stockbrokers will be protected under draft legislation.
Shorten to run ruler over land
Michelle Grattan Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has flagged that the national interest test for foreign acquisitions of farming land may be toughened.
Keep watch on foreign buyers: MP
Michelle Grattan Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg has urged much closer scrutiny of who is investing in Australia's agricultural land, saying current rules governing foreign investment are opaque and the national interest...
$50bn deficit looming for Swan's budget
Michelle Grattan Government tax receipts are running $6.55 billion behind the mid-year economic forecasts, fuelling speculation that the 2010-11 outcome could be a $50 billion deficit. This compares with the $41.
Call to ease barriers to foreign capital
Michelle Grattan Federal Parliament should be urging the government to open the doors to foreign capital, country independent Rob Oakeshott says.
Michelle Grattan
Gillard flood levy runs into rough water
Michelle Grattan Julia Gillard has staked her authority on a $5.6 billion flood reconstruction package that yesterday came under immediate fire from sections of business, a key union and environmentalists.
