Written by

Richard Laidlaw

A sea change for Australia

Richard Laidlaw

This seasoned blogger gives us a rundown of the election's antics. Source: Getty

2022 Election: The end countdown is on

2022 Election: The end countdown is on

This isn’t the midpoint of the 2022 federal election campaign. It just feels that way, or possibly that we have yet to really start. In fact, we’re over the hump. Did anyone notice? Is anyone counting?

This seasoned blogger gives a run down on the election campaigns. Source: Getty

Politicians ‘gilding their lilies and making outrageous claims’ in campaign efforts

Politicians ‘gilding their lilies and making outrageous claims’ in campaign efforts

'The Easter weekend was a campaign quiet spot. Every election campaign should have at least one buzz-free zone. This one’s got two, courtesy of ANZAC Day. A bonus! Thank goodness for small mercies.'

2022 Elections: Don’t expect to be inspired

2022 Elections: Don’t expect to be inspired

2022 Elections: Don’t expect to be inspired

There are many reasons why prime ministers like to make election campaigns as short as possible. Short campaigns favour diversionary Hi-Viz moments over serious debate. They also limit deep analysis and effective scrutiny while giving the clumsy fewer opportunities for embarrassing pratfalls.

Source: Getty

Bursting Balloons and Other Party Tricks

Bursting Balloons and Other Party Tricks

Budget numbers are always squashy, especially in what the boffins like to call the out years, those beyond reasonable forecasting. By that, they mean the future, where nothing is certain at all, other than that we must somehow have arrived there.

Dorothea Mackellar wrote of this magnificent, devastating land. Source: Getty

A land of droughts and flooding rains

A land of droughts and flooding rains

There are no easy answers, especially since the answers most deeply involved in flood avoidance are inherently political. That fact is underlined every time a state premier or prime minister pops up at a flood photo opportunity in his or her Hi-Viz and wellies and promises we’ll build it all back.

Politics and the pension should not coincide, says contributor Richard Laidlaw.

Age Pension and Politics: Why livelihoods shouldn’t hinge on political decision

Age Pension and Politics: Why livelihoods shouldn’t hinge on political decision

"The quantum of the age pension should be quarantined from political decision," says contributor Richard Laidlaw.

Political train wrecks come in many sizes. Source: Getty

Rocking, rolling, riding. Oops!

Rocking, rolling, riding. Oops!

In the lead-up to the election the government will be distracted, potentially fatally, by the fact that more than one person believes what has been alleged about the prime minister’s character.

Richard Laidlaw deep dives on the background of Australia Day. Source: Getty

Welcome, Australia

Welcome, Australia

No great antiquity attaches to celebrating Australia Day on Jan. 26. It’s been a national holiday on that date only since 1994.

The Australian Federal election will take place this year, but when is still unknown. Source: Getty Images

‘Brace yourselves! The merry-go-round of Australian election season is about to begin’

‘Brace yourselves! The merry-go-round of Australian election season is about to begin’

This may not fill our hearts with glee, but it will certainly fill our minds with polly waffle and expose us to more photo opportunities than we would wish upon our worst enemies.

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