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).
No one will hit roof on floor price
Michelle Grattan Dumping of carbon floor price unlikely to make political impact on Mr and Ms Average Voter.
Michelle Grattan
Now for the consequences of big reform
Michelle Grattan Julia Gillard has ''landed'', as they say in Labor circles, the most significant reform this government has made.
Michelle Grattan
Second best, but it's not worthless
Michelle Grattan Julia Gillard put in a strong and feisty performance in announcing her health deal, pushing back when questions were critical.
Michelle Grattan
Swan shows a short memory on difficult reforms
Michelle Grattan In arguing that Clive Palmer and his ilk pose a threat to economic reform and the ''fair go'' by using their wealth and influence in pursuit of their ''vested interests'', Treasurer Wayne Swan is...
Michelle Grattan
No room to move for Gillard
Michelle Grattan If Gillard is looking for a straw of hope, she might look to Howard's situation in early 2001.
Michelle Grattan
The more things change ...
Michelle Grattan The balance at COAG has tipped in favour of the conservatives, posing a challenge for Gillard, but the tensions of federalism always remain the same.
Michelle Grattan
Bold reform demands fearless politicians - do we have any?
Michelle Grattan Our prosperity relies on getting more women and older people in the workforce.
Glenn Stevens and the pub with no beer
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott — who at the weekend insisted he had been ''absolutely realistic'' about the economy — has shares in the company called Gloom.
Michelle Grattan
Staggering under the load
Michelle Grattan A lot is riding on Sunday's COAG meeting, including the council's own future.
Michelle Grattan
Gillard sets her sights high
Michelle Grattan The PM's ambitious goals for the year, including a carbon price, are a mountain to climb.
Michelle Grattan
Chilly Victorian winds could cause shivers in Canberra
Michelle Grattan There are messages for Julia Gillard as well as Greens, independents.
Michelle Grattan
Day 20
Michelle Grattan In the 2007 election Tony Abbott was health minister. He describes in his book, Battlelines, one of his campaigning days from hell.
Michelle Grattan
Spoils to the patient party
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott is best advised to turn his attention to matters other than health.
Michelle Grattan
PM gets his reform, but at what cost?
Michelle Grattan Kevin Rudd finally got a hospitals deal but the cost, in dollars and compromises, has been extremely high.
Michelle Grattan
Hospital reform should not be sacrificed to the election cycle
Michelle Grattan Instead of putting its whole health package on the table, Canberra has dribbled out the various sweeteners.
Michelle Grattan
Green power surge
Michelle Grattan Expected next year to hold the sole balance of power federally, the Greens must look to leadership in the long term.
Michelle Grattan
A dose of political reality may undo that Ruddy glow
Michelle Grattan Kevin Rudd has put forward a bold but measured plan for hospitals reform, but he will have an uphill battle to translate it into reality.
Michelle Grattan
Malcolm in the middle
Michelle Grattan Who'd be Malcolm Turnbull right now? Turnbull is preparing to give one of the most notable speeches of his political career.
Michelle Grattan
Scare campaign may be Abbott's best chance of troubling Rudd
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott might have a chat with Andrew Peacock sometime over the summer. The new Opposition Leader's goal appears to be a 1984-type campaign, when Peacock ran a highly charged ''scare''.
Michelle Grattan
Buckle up for an elections roller-coaster ride
Michelle Grattan It seems only yesterday that we welcomed a Labor Government but the countdown for the next round has already begun.
