Industrial lite on the hill

Michael Gordon Tony Abbott has produced a minimalist industrial relations policy with a bold objective - to eliminate what he considers the biggest threat to a Coalition victory in September.

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A clean start for the PM, but is the election already lost?

Michael Gordon Simon Crean has removed the threat of Kevin Rudd and gave Julia Gillard's prime ministership a fresh start.

Michael Gordon

Can this sporting nation restore its sense of self?

Michael Gordon Two very different snapshots of the country's progress were delivered during an otherwise underwhelming opening week in the Federal Parliament.

Michael Gordon

PM's captain's pick may end a sorry chapter in Labor history

Michael Gordon The long backstory to the PM using her 'captain's pick' to impose Nova Peris, an Olympic champion but a political novice, on Labor's NT branch helps explain why Warren Mundine was so quick to endorse...

Michael Gordon

Amid the politics of fear, steps to reconciliation

Michael Gordon They were the other expert panel, the one that wasn't charged with stopping the boats.

Michael Gordon

Let's sack the worm and have a truly great debate

Michael Gordon The contrast between the American and Australian approaches to leaders' debates could hardly be more stark.

Michael Gordon

The real lesson to be learnt from Labor's history wars

Michael Gordon Maxine McKew's blistering critique of Julia Gillard in her new book, Tales from the Political Trenches, invites three questions: Why did she feel compelled to write it? Is it accurate? And, most...

Michael Gordon

New regime every bit as tough as Howard's but will it work?

Michael Gordon The big surprise of the blueprint crafted by Julia Gillard's expert panel is that it is even tougher, in key respects, than the plan Tony Abbott was prepared to back just six weeks ago.