Michael Gordon
Michael Gordon is the political editor of The Age.
They look like Keystone Cops and the real test is still to come
Michael Gordon Julia Gillard has triumphed in her third party-room showdown with Kevin Rudd, but Tony Abbott is the biggest - the only - winner from one of the most bizarre days in Australia's political history.
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
High-fives around PM reveal faulty grasp of Labor's reality
Michael Gordon Julia Gillard's inner sanctum hasn't had much to smile about lately, but on Tuesday her advisers were giving each other high-fives in the Prime Minister's office.
Michael Gordon
Rudd's long cold shower heats up as leadership stress grows
Michael Gordon What's Kevin up to? It's the perennial question for those Labor MPs who voted for Julia Gillard in last year's leadership ballot, and for her advisers, but now it's being asked by some of Rudd's own...
Michael Gordon
ALP's poor performance gives Abbott a dream start
Michael Gordon A combination of bad management, poor communications, ill-discipline and poor timing by Labor have handed Tony Abbott a dream start to this election year.
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
The dogs of war replace Canberra's civilised pack
Michael Gordon There was no tougher, more uncompromising fighter on the conservative side of politics, but John Howard was always prided himself on being civil.
Our politics has entered a new phase of uncertainty
Michael Gordon In this fluid political environment, stand by for more moments to make you wince.
Michael Gordon
Tanner orchestrates his own Labor sideshow
Michael Gordon Lindsay Tanner's last book on politics explored the relationship between politicians and the media. It began with the observation that most journalists would scan the book, looking for shock...
Michael Gordon
Numbers buy Gillard momentary breathing space
Michael Gordon Don't panic yet. That is the message of today's Age/Nielsen poll to Labor MPs grappling with the decision of if - and when - to switch leaders (again).
Michael Gordon
Happy ending about as likely as a Rudd triumph
Michael Gordon Kevin Rudd has signalled he will be gracious in defeat, but unity is a long way off.
Michael Gordon
MP's 'good idea at the time' ignited the bonfire that tested the vanities
Michael Gordon Darren Cheeseman's public claim that Julia Gillard's leadership was terminal hurt rather than helped Kevin Rudd's campaign.
