Creating epithets for political opponents has a long history in Australia – and when it works, it can be devastating.
Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison announce the passage of their income tax package.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
It was a busy week in politics, with the federal government passing its income tax package, more squabbling over the ABC, and all parties gearing up for the July 28 byelections.
ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie has launched a strong defence of the public broadcaster.
AAP/Julian Smith
A motion to privatise the ABC, no matter how vigorously repudiated by the government, is political poison, and may now reap a political harvest.
Recently, hard-right Coalition MPs have not had as much influence on government policy as they used to, and Malcolm Turnbull is probably benefiting from this.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The rhetoric between Australia and China is reaching a fever pitch in the media, with less room for journalists to take a more nuanced, objective viewpoint.
While this is Malcolm Turnbull’s 32nd consecutive Newspoll loss as PM, the past two have been narrow losses.
AAP/Ellen Smith
Burgeoning tax revenues have enabled Treasurer Scott Morrison to bring down a budget that will put the government in a better position to fight the next election.
Labor MP Tim Hammond’s resignation has triggered a byelection in Perth, which Labor looks likely to hold.
AAP/Rebecca Le May
An uncertain world and a possible free trade agreement are among the reasons the French president’s visit is an important one.
The Coalition has narrowed the gap with Labor in the latest Newspoll, and Malcolm Turnbull has a 38-35 lead over Bill Shorten as better prime minister.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Malcolm Turnbull may have lost 31 consecutive Newspolls, but the latest result shows a narrowing between the two major parties, and the Coalition’s best performance since September 2016.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tours the La Trobe valley at the end of the week of the much-discussed 30th negative Newspoll.
AAP/Julian Smith
Tony Abbott’s supporters are derided as delusional conservatives, but they have immense political impact and are determined to bring down Malcolm Turnbull.
A big difference between the losing streaks of Malcolm Turnbull and former PM Tony Abbott is that Abbott often trailed Shorten as better PM, while Turnbull has always led Shorten.
AAP/Brendan Esposito
With the fateful 30th Newspoll finally out there, the government on Monday descended into an orgy of destructive self-indulgence.
If Malcolm Turnbull is to draw any comfort from a self-inflicted wound, he might consider the history of leaders who have endured bad polling and prevailed.
AAP/Darren England
History warns us to beware of the fickleness of polls taken mid-term, which tend to be a snapshot rather than a deep reading of the electoral mood.
Abbott is
“pollie pedalling” in the Latrobe Valley, making sure he is best placed to exploit Turnbull’s pain over the Newspoll and his difficulty with the energy issue.
Luke Ascui/AAP
The Coalition trails 48-52%, compared with 47-53% a fortnight ago. The Australian reports it is only the second time since April last year that the government has come
The results of next week’s Newspoll will be eagerly awaited on both sides of the House.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Many among the public will discount Abbott’s activities as just his usual trouble-making. The noise, however, reinforces the general impression of a fractured government.