Let’s talk about the political outsider who defeated an established political dynasty. No, not Trump.  Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, has emerged victorious, defeating establishment favourite Andrew Cuomo, taking City Hall. In the lead-up to election night, think pieces flooded the press dissecting his Democratic Socialist credentials, ambitious reform agenda, […]

The year was 2008. I’d been a junior television reporter for four years. I was on the precipice of finally cracking the ‘big league’ by doing my first live cross on national television. I was based in Parliament House, Canberra. The topic was the Global Financial Crisis. With sweaty palms and debilitating nerves, I paced […]

Midway through its first term, the Crisafulli Government will face its first electoral test. The Hinchinbrook by-election will take place on November 29, following the resignation of Katter MP Nick Dametto, who is to run for the Townsville mayoralty. By-elections are almost always unwanted events for any incumbent – even if it’s a seat, as […]

Australia’s political system is different to the rest of the world, as distinctive as our landscape and people – something we can all be proud of, and something we should all work hard to preserve. Just as our native flora and fauna have adapted to thrive in a unique and diverse environment, our democracy has […]

A good policy or reform is often backed by an evidence-based, holistic approach, but when the policy settings aren’t right, it’s important that governments adjust them: Explain the change. Have confidence in the decision. Move on. A good example of this – playing out right now – is Queensland’s coal royalty settings, a policy change […]

You’re no doubt familiar with the saying, “All publicity is good publicity.” It was coined by a 19th-century showman called P.T. Barnum, who owned and a ran a circus. You may know him as The Greatest Showman. I beg to differ with Mr Barnum and, I suspect in more recent times, several football stars and major […]

Thirty years ago, I entered Parliament in the 1996 Howard election landslide. Under Paul Keating, Labor had been reduced to a rump, and one of the few ALP members to enter Parliament was the member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese. Ironically, the Howard victory delivered a 94-seat majority — the same number as the ALP majority […]

Australia is a small country, and while we may appear distant or small to our western neighbours, when our voice is heard, it carries weight – real weight.  As political divisiveness dominates American and European discourse, Anthony Albanese has emerged as a steady and effective Prime Minister, prioritising Australia’s national interest over personal ideology. His […]

I’m going to start this column with two cowardly disclaimers. The first is that I realise it may not age well, and that by 10pm on Sunday night it could be looking decidedly stale. But that’s the risk one takes when committing thought bubbles to print. The second is an apology to our many clients […]