What do popular ‘settler’ Australian stories like The Castle and Trent Dalton’s books say about who we are? What do they evade? Jeanine Leane investigates the state of post-Mabo Australian literature.
Years ago, Kevin Rudd sold himself as a version of Howard-lite, as he sought to reassure voters he wouldn’t be scary. This week, Anthony Albanese invoked a Labor icon to soothe fears of change.
The biggest hurdle for republicans is the reality that Australia is already an independent nation. Only sentiment and inertia links us to the British crown.
Former prime minister Paul Keating has launched an extraordinary attack on the Reserve Bank, accusing it of having “one of its dalliances with indolence”, and describing it as “the Reverse Bank”.
Amid debate about China’s refusal of visa to two federal MPs, former PM Paul Keating denounced the media for ‘failing to present a balanced picture of the rise, legitimacy and importance of China’.
Geoffrey Tozer was a child prodigy who struggled as an adult after the loss of his mother Verna.
Madman
A new film examines the life and tragic death of a concert pianist once hailed as our nation’s brightest prodigy - and a former PM’s accusations of neglect by cultural leaders.
Question time provides MPs with a chance to show off their wit, but has it lost its bigger purpose?
Lukas Coch/AAP
Question time is meant to be about accountability. But in practice, it is an opportunity for ministers to strut their stuff and for everyone to shout as loudly as they can.
In 1990, Bob Hawke and his cabinet looked poised to take climate action. But the following year his prime ministership ended.
NAA
What if Bob Hawke, hailed as a leader who actually ‘got’ environmental issues, had never been rolled by Paul Keating? Perhaps the climate policy wars would have turned out differently.
Former prime minister Bob Hawke has died, age 89.
AAP/State Library of NSW/The Conversation
From doted-on child to Rhodes Scholar, ACTU president and ultimately prime minister, Robert James Lee Hawke had a significant impact on Australian life.
Coalition leader John Hewson had trouble selling his economic policy platform to the electorate.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA
All the polls suggested the Keating government would be finished at the 1993 election – until Opposition Leader John Hewson launched a 650-page policy document called “Fightback!”.
Most Australians did not want Malcolm Turnbull to be deposed as prime minister.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Australians have never liked sitting PMs being deposed by their own parties - but the outrage over Malcolm Turnbull’s destruction is the greatest in modern history.
The Liberals who want to tear down Malcolm Turnbull claim they are in a battle for the heart and soul of the party - but where is this heart and soul, and how strong is it?
Happy days: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in parliament.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Some have set the course for electoral victory, others have tanked. In any case, federal budgets are important moments in the life of governments – especially those that are a little wobbly.
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.
By preventing Australians from visiting a ‘sacred place’ like the Kokoda Track, it is more likely that local landowners grievances will be met.
ABC News/Eric Tlozek