Interest Rates
AUG 3
Interest rates may be on hold but political stunts are all the rage
Mark Davis and Jacqueline Maley The Reserve Bank as expected did not put up interest rates and Julia Gillard used this as a springboard to boast about Labor's economic credentials.
Oakeshott's home crowd mostly unimpressed
Nick O'Malley AS ROB OAKESHOTT took to his Parliament House lectern to announce just who he had finally decided to make prime minister, one of the televisions in one of his local pubs, the Port Macquarie Hotel,...
Reserve predicts a Goldilocks economy
Peter Martin ECONOMICS CORRESPONDENT THE Reserve Bank has presented the incoming government with a glowing picture of the economy, arguing that near-perfect conditions are likely to continue for about a year.
What the voters think in Lyne
Nick O'Malley As Rob Oakeshott took to his Parliament House lectern, one of the televisions in one of his local pubs, the Port Macquarie Hotel, was switched from a racing channel to the news.
Bob Katter's 20-point wish list
An edited summary of the policy priorities sent to the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition by Bob Katter yesterday:
Is this green Gillard's political blunder?
Katharine Murphy How exactly is this particular Labor/Greens "new paradigm" going to go down with the folks in Tamworth and Mt Isa and Taree? Not brilliantly one suspects.
'Kath and Kim' election a nightmare result for major parties
Josh Gordon Labor was leading narrowly on the two-party preferred vote last night, but a national swing to the Liberal Party means Australia could end up with a hung parliament.
Fairytale ends … and reality bites
Whoever becomes the next leader will need to hit the ground running. Luckily there is help at hand, writes Lenore Taylor.
Ross Gittins
Both sides fall victim to federal budget humbuggery
ROSS GITTINS It's not just Tony Abbott who has been running from a debate on the economy. Both he and Julia Gillard have avoided serious discussion of the economy in this election.
Marginals will play a role if swing goes against Labor
Four seats are in play that could be crucial to the major parties, writes David Rood.
AUG 18
Rictus all 'round as crazed candidates career across continent
Mark Davis and Jacqueline Maley The leaders buck and bristle but will they both end up at the Broncos Leagues Club tonight?
Bonds second-best, but better than much else on offer
The Coalition's infrastructure policy may be a second-best policy. But given the political realities, it is one of the best economic policies of this campaign.
AUG 16
Going around the bend ... and into the final straight
Mark Davis and Jacqueline Maley And so we round the last bend and head into the last straight of the election race. Happy last election Monday.
NSW economy fragile as confidence slips
Jessica Irvine ECONOMICS WRITER BUSINESS confidence in the NSW economy has deteriorated significantly amid the withdrawal of the federal government's fiscal stimulus and the six interest rate rises in a row, according to a survey...
Gillard blessed by favourable set of pre-election numbers
Peter Martin Julie Gillard is hurtling towards polling day blessed. On top of sliding inflation, plunging unemployment and steady interest rates comes a boost in buying confidence.
Beautiful set of numbers
Peter Martin Julia Gillard is hurtling towards polling day blessed. On top of sliding inflation, plunging unemployment and steady interest rates comes a boost in confidence that has made us more ready to buy than...
Pyne favoured but seat in the balance
Ian Munro Travelling east of Adelaide the roads are a marked contrast to the car yards and fast-food clutter that line the route to the city's southern suburbs.
AUG 9
Who spiked the election drinks? Abbott now Mr Stability
Mark Davis and Jacqueline Maley As Tony Abbott soaked up the response from his glittering campaign launch, the other political giant, Laurie Oakes, was lambasting his own network - during a live cross.
Labor talks up jobs in advance of figures
Peter Martin Labor is switching its focus to jobs ahead of employment figures due out Thursday likely to provide it with a lifeline before its official campaign launch next Monday.
Swan-Hockey showdown
Jessica Wright IT'S the economy, stupid. Bill Clinton coined it. Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan embraced it.
