News Commentary

The Abbott dirt file and a Bolt ban: things go negative
Labor's coordinated attack on Tony Abbott implies that the party now accepts there is one major hurdle for voters to overcome before all is lost. They will not, when it comes to the crunch, vote for Abbott on election day. That is negative, narrow, and yes, uninspiring. But if it is true, then you go with what you've got.

Leave Kevin Rudd alone
Kevin Rudd's done nothing wrong. He's done nothing at all. What more do you want?

The third force is with us
Are the Greens on a roll? Or have the big boys lost their way?

Rudd, Blanchett and Button: the real story
I can't live with the guilt any more. Three times now in the last two months, I have read - amid the storm of commentary condemning Kevin Rudd - scathing references to the damning allegation that in early 2008, he chose to visit Cate Blanchett's baby instead of attending the funeral of the late John Button. The Prime Minister stands accused of sucking up to stars instead of saluting Labor history. It was my fault. It's time to 'fess up and act.

A Federal Election in August?
With poor opinion polls, there is very little chance the Rudd Government will dissolve the Federal Parliament by use of a double dissolution. So July is now ruled out as a possible month for an election. Speculation must now turn to when the Government will call a normal election for the House of Representatives and half of the Senate.