Golden handshake for MPs: Fair reward or too much?
Posted at 10:06 on 27 November, 2007
With a number of retirements pending after the recent election, the issue of "golden handshakes" for politicians has risen once more. John Howard gets a $330k+ p.a. pension, 40 free return flights per year for himself and Janette, an office, staff and car for life. De-Anne Kelly gets an $80kpa pension and up to 25 return flights per year for the next three years. Is it fair, or too much? Have your say »
New leader of the Liberal Party?
Posted at 16:38 on 26 November, 2007
Brendan Nelson, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull have all thrown their hat in the ring, but who's the best choice to lead the Liberal Party in opposition? Have your say »
Costello to quit politics
Posted at 12:59 on 25 November, 2007
Directly after the Coalitions resounding defeat in the election comes news that Peter Costello will quit politics for a career in business. Is he quitting while the opportunity is there or jumping from a leaking ship? This is the man the Coalition pitched as the successor to Howard but seems not to have the interest? Have your say »
Nicole Cornes bucks national swing
Posted at 11:03 on 25 November, 2007
ALP candidate in Boothby, Nicole Cornes, has hardly proved doubters wrong in bucking the nation-wide swing to Labor. Cornes polled just 34.5% of the vote and saw a swing against her party in Boothby of 1.4%. Seemingly picking up protest votes were Jodi Kirkby and The Greens boosting 2.8%. Does this show that Cornes was a mistake, or were there other factors? Could the ALP have won Boothby with a different candidate? Have your say »
Labor romp to comfortable win
Posted at 21:00 on 24 November, 2007
The ALP have won government comfortably with a significant swing across the country leading to notable Coalition candidates losing their seats. Are you surprised or was it expected? Have your say »
False leaflets linked to Jackie Kelly's husband
Posted at 08:50 on 22 November, 2007
The husband of Liberal MP Jackie Kelly, Gary Clark, is one of a handful of men implicated in distributing unauthorised material - a leaflet from a non-existent Islamic group trying to stir up race-related trouble. Is it a harmless joke or a serious mistake from people who should know better? Have your say »
Downer: Rudd's Mandarin just showing off
Posted at 09:46 on 6 November, 2007
Alexander Downer has said that Kevin Rudd is simply a show-off for doing an interview with a Chinese television network in Mandarin. "There are thousands upon thousands of Australians ... who can speak foreign languages and most of them don't bother to show off about it," he said. Is Rudd a show-off, or is it polite to make the effort with someone else's language when you can? Have your say »
Hockey: If Work Choices changes, I'll resign
Posted at 09:14 on 5 November, 2007
Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey has responded to claims the government will extend their controversial Work Choices legislation by promising to resign should that occur. Is that an awfully subjective position and a last-ditch effort from the underdogs, or a decent response to the campaign of doubt from the ALP? Have your say »
Gillard: Australia not yet ready for female PM
Posted at 14:20 on 2 November, 2007
While Labor's Julia Gillard is hopeful of becoming Australia's first female deputy prime minister, but she does not believe that the country is quite ready for a woman in the top job. That is despite New Zealand being headed by Helen Clark, and Hillary Clinton the current favourite to become the next President of the United States. What do you think? Will we have a female PM any time soon? Have your say »
Nicole Cornes, the right choice from Labor?
Posted at 22:53 on 25 October, 2007
Earlier this year, Labor announced a decision to run columnist Nicole Cornes as their candidate in Boothby. The weeks since seem to have brought fair question against that decision as Cornes has struggled on radio with tough questions, seemed ill-prepared and deterred female voters previously likely to vote for the ALP. Was she the right choice, and can she win Boothby? Have your say »
SA IR Commission calls WorkChoices a failure
Posted at 18:24 on 25 October, 2007
South Australia's Industrial Relations Commission has termed WorkChoices a failure saying that the Government's reforms have not lifted productivity or driven economic growth but have instead disadvantaged thousands of workers, especially the low-paid. What have been your experiences? Have your say »
Howard, Rudd refuse to budge on gay marriage views
Posted at 12:26 on 23 October, 2007
Neither John Howard nor Kevin Rudd have budged on their opposition to gay marriage presenting voters with no difference on the issue between the major parties. Are they old-fashioned or will this view hold for the future? What do you think about gay marriage? Have your say »
Howard and Rudd clash during televised debate
Posted at 20:38 on 21 October, 2007
John Howard and Kevin Rudd have gone head to head in a televised debate covering the economy, environment and education amongst other things. Thoughts on the debate? Have your say »
Coalition narrows margin in polls
Posted at 16:29 on 18 October, 2007
In polling one week into the election, the Coalition has narrowed the margin between itself and the ALP. Can they close the gap, or will announcements from Labor push it back out? Have your say »