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).
Michellle Grattan
Once again Abbott looks over-scripted, over-loyal
Michelle Grattan Bernardi’s extraordinary contribution to the same sex marriage debate demanded that Abbott quickly tell his errant senator — who made anti-Muslim remarks a few months ago — he was getting no more...
Michelle Grattan
Bestiality comment claims unlikely victim
Michelle Grattan It's surely one of the weirdest falls in federal politics - a shadow parliamentary secretary forced to quit a job for suggesting we could be on the slippery slope towards condoning bestiality.
Michelle Grattan
Abbott finds that a taut Coalition is not that easily taught
Michelle Grattan In his Quarterly Essay, David Marr writes that Tony Abbott is in a contest with his own body.
Michelle Grattan
Barnaby's rise hits bump in the road
Michelle Grattan Barnaby Joyce has fallen on testing times after his dummy spit over Cubbie Station.
Michelle Grattan
Asian century's opportunities could be lost in translation
Michelle Grattan Australia has lessons to learn in how to engage with the region.
Michelle Grattan
Barnaby scores a win with grace under pressure
Michelle Grattan The Nationals Senate leader is showing political poise.
Michelle Grattan
Barnaby is no longer the Joyce of old
Michelle Grattan A good test of a politician is how they handle thwarted ambition.
Tony Abbott's 'real' challenge
Michelle Grattan Today's polls — Nielsen and News — both reinforce the message Abbott has a major issue with his own ratings and, worse for the Coalition, that it is starting to leak into the voting figures.
Michelle Grattan
Nats mobilise cannon against Windsor
Michelle Grattan Gratitude is not a common commodity in politics right now.
Michelle Grattan
Latest intrigues are Oscar material
Michelle Grattan To have one scandal is bad for a government. To have two running simultaneously looks just too careless.
Michelle Grattan
Nationals success complicates their long-term ambitions
Michelle Grattan Falling numbers make the Nats' power seem disproportionate.
Michelle Grattan
A quick hit, or it would get ugly
Michelle Grattan An early reshuffle may have saved Abbott days of uncertainty at the hands of a resurgent Turnbull and defensive Joyce.
Michelle Grattan
Cautionary tale of two policies
Michelle Grattan The political battle is currently raging over two huge reform plans: Kevin Rudd's proposal for Canberra to become the major funder of the nation's hospitals, and Tony Abbott's $2.
Michelle Grattan
Following in Turnbull's erring footsteps
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott's party room has given him a sharp reminder that next time he wants to crash through the plate glass, he should warn his colleagues.
Michelle Grattan
Bump on the head is least of Barnaby's problems
Michelle Grattan The new Opposition finance spokesman will have to fight his instincts and tread softly in his new role.
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.
Michelle Grattan
Weekend poll results give Abbott a running start
Michelle Grattan In politics nothing can be taken for granted. If Kevin Rudd had been thinking of a March-April election - which he probably wasn't - he won't be now.
Michelle Grattan
A day that changed everything
Michelle Grattan Tony Abbott's ascension to the Liberal leadership has hit the capital like a hurricane, leaving no one untouched.
Michelle Grattan
Minchin's emissions opposition a direct challenge to Turnbull
Michelle Grattan The Libs' Senate leader is encouraging climate sceptics to speak out.
Michelle Grattan
Turnbull grapples with vipers within
Michelle Grattan Hapless Malcolm Turnbull has Senate Liberal leader and Nationals Senate leader at war with him on a key and controversial issue that he has declared central to his leadership.
