Mark Davis
Gillard's cabinet reshuffle paints a picture of stability and experience
Mark Davis Julia Gillard has unveiled a super-minimalist frontbench reshuffle and has sent her predecessor Kevin Rudd on extended gardening leave.
When adversity struck, leader was without friends
Mark Davis THE memorable events in Canberra yesterday show that in the Labor Party, no one - not even a first-term prime minister - can survive without a genuine power base.
When adversity struck, leader was without friends
Mark Davis THE memorable events in Canberra yesterday show that in the Labor Party, no one - not even a first-term prime minister - can survive without a genuine power base.
Rudd's one-man band plays its last tune
Mark Davis This morning's memorable events in Canberra show that in the Labor Party no one, not even a first-term Prime Minister, can survive without a genuine power base.
Telstra deal is a gift for battered PM
Mark Davis For a Prime Minister who has taken a belting from perceptions that he has backed down on election promises, failed to implement policies competently and is at war with the top end of town,...
Rudd's journey into lion's den could be a turning point
Mark Davis The Prime Minister last night conducted a giant focus group in the most marginal seat in the most anti-Labor and pro-mining state in the country.
A 'pox on both their houses' attitude prevails among voters
Mark Davis The intriguing story revealed by today’s latest opinion poll figures is that one in four voters is now alienated from the two major parties.
Scapegoats rolled out in federal election countdown
Mark Davis It’s been a morning of duelling crackdowns on the perennial scapegoats of populist politics: dole bludgers and unlawful boat arrivals.
With sorrow and regret, Smith declares cooling-off period with Israel
Mark Davis Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith is a man who takes the nostrum "in foreign affairs words are bullets" very seriously indeed.
Abbott grows fiscal hairs on his chest
Mark Davis There remain important questions about the accuracy and completeness of the Coalition’s claims about the impact of its policies on the Budget.
The urban myth of the post budget bounce
Mark Davis Another post-budget opinion poll, another non-existent bounce. The first major poll since last week’s federal budget has found no significant change in voter support for the Labor government.
Abbott caught out dodging truth on reckless spending
Mark Davis Tony Abbott's first instinct on a radio interview this morning was to dissemble, if not tell a porkie - not a good look for an opposition leader seeking to stake a claim on his credibility.
Possible poll dates set hearts aflutter
Mark Davis WHEN will Kevin Rudd take the nation to the polls?
Insulation bungle a case study in bad management
Mark Davis They’ll be teaching the Federal Government’s home insulation program in graduate schools around the world as a classic case study of poor public policy design, implementation and administration.
Loosening the knots of Australia's health system
Mark Davis With his second election campaign already unofficially under way, Rudd has delivered a deal with the potential to significantly loosen, if not entirely unravel, the Gordian knot which has bedevilled...
Cost of remaining in politics too high for Turnbull
Mark Davis The wealthy and talented Turnbull undoubtedly has the highest opportunity cost of being in Parliament of any of Australia’s federal MPs.
Coalition needs to target marginal seats
Mark Davis Politics is a lot like a triathlon: it is no use, after all, blitzing the field in the cycling leg only to end up so exhausted that you are overtaken in the event’s final footrace stage.
Leaders go hard on an issue that really counts
Mark Davis Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott made their best pitches for the all-important health vote in their first head-to-head election year debate at Canberra's national press club today.
Not all grievances are created equal in politics
Mark Davis When allegations emerged that shonky insulation installers operating under the Federal Government's home insulation program had exposed householders to the risk of fires and workers to injury or...
Abbott's billion dollar rip-off? The truth on health funding
Mark Davis Labor MPs from the Prime Minister down to the lowliest backbencher have accused the Opposition leader Tony Abbott of ‘‘ripping $1 billion out of public hospitals’’ while he was Health Minister.
