“Class warfare” is an emotive term that would seem to belong to a bygone age when there also existed, as in the minds of many people, something called the “class struggle”.
It would seem strange that…
Swan would have an easier time if he were more honest with voters about what Labor is trying to achieve.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Labor’s budget continues a path set since 2007. It shows the technocratic skill of a government clever at policy detail; but also one unable, or perhaps unwilling, to challenge the economic straitjacket…
Swan may be appealing to a voting bloc that doesn't exist.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The 2012 budget came at a particularly challenging time for Labor. The government has sought to achieve two distinct (if related) political goals: bolster Labor’s “economic management” credentials and…
Swan's budget targeted the Labor base, but it may not be enough.
AAP/Alan Porritt
“Walk into the local pet shop and the resident galah will be talking about microeconomic reform.” So Paul Keating once famously quipped about the significance of the government’s microeconomic reform agenda…
Wayne Swan handed down the 2012 budget after a truly remarkable day in Australian parliament.
AAP/Alan Porritt
As Treasurer Wayne Swan approached the despatch boxes tonight, the nation’s political focus was finally fixed on the Gillard government’s second budget. His speech ended a budget day like no other, with…
Clive Palmer should probably stick to what he's good at.
AAP Image/Dan Peled
Mining magnate Clive Palmer has put his name forward to run for the Liberal National Party (LNP) against Treasurer Wayne Swan in the Queensland seat of Lilley at the next election.
Palmer has been a vocal…
Swan's "fair go" message isn't original, but it is clever.
AAP/Alan Porritt
When they each ran significant chunks of the Australian mining industry in the 1970s, the late titans Sir George Fisher and Sir Maurice Mawby were often dismayed at the attacks politicians, and others…
Billionaire Clive Palmer: how much of his fabulous wealth is due to government policy?
AAP
Over the last year or so, the Occupy movement has garnered wide attention, with people of all backgrounds gathering to protest the deteriorating social conditions.
However, these grievances have been…
Wayne Swan outlined his economic vision for Australia at the National Press Club today.
AAP/Alan Porritt
Australians are in a unique place today – we are witnessing our democracy being called to account.
The nature of Australian democracy is being debated by on the one hand, its Treasurer and on the other…
Wayne Swan steered Australia through the GFC, but can he weather the tough times ahead?
AAP
Spare a thought for Peter Costello. His successor as Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, has just been named Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney magazine.
It is a bit like seeing the plodding nerd at…
Family not forgotten: Tony Abbott is congratulated following his budget reply.
“We are animated by but one desire — to do that which is best for Australia, and fair, just, and equitable to all the states, and to all classes and sections of our community."
This quote comes from the…
Does the budget lessen or deepen the male-female divide?
The Budget: What does it have to do with tax reform?
This year’s budget claims to “progress the government’s tax reform agenda, improving fairness and integrity in the tax system”. Does it? The short…
