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
Greens are as stubborn as Abbott
Michelle Grattan Mostly it's the opposition that has been in the frame for stymieing efforts to get a more effective policy to combat people smuggling.
It's time now to track the money
Michelle Grattan AT THE time of year when we look back and gaze forward, let's just cast an eye over one success and one failure (so far) of this remarkable Parliament, which still has time to do a few more things.
Michelle Grattan
Labor still struggling with the fallout
Michelle Grattan THE carbon tax probably peaked as an issue before the price started - indeed, its first three months have been an anti-climax.
Carbon tax could still cause damage
Michelle Grattan First three months an anti-climax but Labor will continue to struggle with its political damage.
Michelle Grattan
Timing rarely right for referendum
Michelle Grattan At last, something the government, Coalition and Greens can agree on! Pity it's just saying ''not now''.
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.
Experts float a blueprint for asylum compromise
Michelle Grattan Despite Angus Houston's claims that politics played no part in his panel's thinking, its package is crafted cleverly enough to given maximum push towards forcing a compromise.
Michelle Grattan
It's only right, says voice from left
Michelle Grattan Melissa Parke's low-key style is very different from more familiar, high-profile left operators.
Michelle Grattan
Labor facing battle to save the furniture
Michelle Grattan Behind the horror scenes, the ALP must now switch to election survival mode.
Michelle Grattan
Asylum seekers hurt by politicking
Michelle Grattan Amid political angst after the latest boat tragedy, we must face up to one reality, which is hard to accept.
Michelle Grattan
This will not stop the boats coming
Michelle Grattan THE disconnect between what was happening on the high seas yesterday and the scenes in Federal Parliament was extreme - and it was an indictment on the leaders of this nation.
Michelle Grattan
A flawed Malaysia deal would surely be a lesser evil than losing more lives
Michelle Grattan I strongly opposed the Pacific Solution, and aspects of the Malaysia swap plan are also abhorrent, but so many people are dying we have to act now.
Michelle Grattan
Game changer or game over?
Michelle Grattan Treasurer Wayne Swan declares that tomorrow - the day the carbon tax starts - will be a 'game-changer'. Tony Abbott insists it is the beginning of the ''python squeeze''.
Michelle Grattan
ALP seeing red over Green alignment
Michelle Grattan There's been sniping before between Labor and the Greens, but now we have a serious conflict.
Michelle Grattan
PM rams home the state of play
Michelle Grattan The blame game is starting in the Melbourne byelection, well before there's a result to cast blame about.
Michelle Grattan
Labor playing with fire in its rush to burn the Green witch
Michelle Grattan Suddenly Labor, or at least many in it, have decided they must burn the Green witch. Prominent players have been stoking the fire all week, tossing the vitriol like kindling onto the pyre.
Michelle Grattan
When Melbourne goes national ...
Michelle Grattan When a government is in trouble, there is nothing like a byelection to send a frisson of excitement through the political system.
Michelle Grattan
A byelection defeat for Labor will cause shock waves in Canberra
Michelle Grattan When a government is in trouble, there is nothing like a byelection to send shivers up its spine and a frisson of excitement through the political system.
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,...
After Melbourne, PM lives to keep on struggling
Michelle Grattan The weekend's Melbourne byelection is much about what might have happened but didn't.
