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
Shorten versus Abbott: it's not just about industrial relations
Michelle Grattan Consider their upcoming battle on IR reform as a mere preliminary bout.
Michelle Grattan
Political science: altering Abbott's polarity from negative to positive
Michelle Grattan Expect some rebranding as the Coalition campaign begins.
Michelle Grattan
But seriously, get ready for Mr Positive
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott is likely to be residing in the prime minister's office later this year.
Michelle Grattan
Abbott's blueprint is still a work in progress
Michelle Grattan It was OK as a performance, delivered informally, US-style, with a hand-held mic, but the opening salvo of Tony Abbott's mini-campaign told us little new.
Abbott, be careful what you wish for
Michelle Grattan OPPOSITIONS have a standard tool in their kit bag: it's the call for an inquiry. So there was no surprise when Tony Abbott said the government should set one up into that old, smelly AWU affair.
Abbott's plan puts politics over good policy
Michelle Grattan Oppositions have a standard tool in their kitbag: it’s the call for an inquiry. Any sniff of scandal triggers a demand for a judicial investigation, or even the full monty, a royal commission.
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.
Michelle Grattan
Gillard sticks to safe territory at NSW Labor conference
Michelle Grattan Julia Gillard sought out Labor's best territory in her pitch to the New South Wales ALP conference. On most issues the government struggles but workplace relations policy is generally good for it,...
Michelle Grattan
Tough times ahead over IR and media
Michelle Grattan Political stakes are high and vested interests powerful, vociferous.
Michelle Grattan
Abbott's strength, Gillard's weakness
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott is negative but a ferocious opponent.
Michelle Grattan
Government's mixed messages confusing hearts and mines
Michelle Grattan The Treasurer's super rich spray threatens Labor's wider pro-business campaign.
Michelle Grattan
Business will miss its industrious captain
Michelle Grattan AT THE end of this month one of the most effective voices for business will leave her post at the Australian Industry Group.
Michelle Grattan
Abbott close to finishing line but we still need two in the race
Michelle Grattan A healthy parliamentary majority is better than an overwhelming one.
Michelle Grattan
Gillard and Abbott keep tongues twisted with foolish talk
Michelle Grattan The leaders' trips abroad will be remembered for the blunders each made.
Michelle Grattan
IR monkey wrenches Abbott, population perishes on Gillard
Michelle Grattan It is only week one, but already on the election obstacle course Tony Abbott has been singed as he tried to cremate WorkChoices, and Julia Gillard has found herself haunted by Kevin Rudd and Mark...
Michelle Grattan
For Rudd it's quite atrocious
Michelle Grattan While the Prime Minister is busy being buried by the miners, his teflon-coated deputy rises above the fray.
Michelle Grattan
Can Abbott control IR monster?
Michelle Grattan If you are Liberal leader, there are two ways of looking at WorkChoices. The most obvious is that it was a monster that did the Coalition in and must never be allowed to rise from the dead - so the...
PM rattled in psychological battle
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott might have sounded unsympathetic to the homeless in a speech last week but they seem to have done pretty well out of him.
Shift in focus risky for Abbott
Michelle Grattan In promising to change ''the balance'' in industrial relations, Tony Abbott is deserting the political rule of thumb he has set for himself.
Michelle Grattan
Leader courts the revived and the survived
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott's front bench is kind to Howard refugees, the new leader's right-wing power base, the cockies and a few lucky dip winners, but up to attack as backward looking.
