Michelle Grattan
Michelle Grattan is a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra and chief political correspondent at The Conversation.
Latest by Michelle Grattan
Analysis
analysis:Fatima Payman has joined the club of 'Labor rats' and taken a piece of modern, diverse Australia to the crossbench
The local fallout from the Middle East war is signalling that Australian multiculturalism has moved into a new, more challenging phase, fraying its fibre. Even when it finally ends, the divisions and wounds will not be healed easily or soon.
Analysis
analysis:The Assange light and sound show overshadows government problems but it can't last
Anthony Albanese needs to take the win and move on from the successful negotiation of Julian Assange's freedom. The issue could become sticky fly paper and with troubling inflation and Senator Fatima Payman voting across party lines, he now has other problems to tackle.
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Analysis
analysis:Peter Dutton's nuclear power policy is about to go through an early stress test
In the timing of his announcement, Peter Dutton is putting his nuclear power policy through an early stress test, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:A minority government or president Trump: Uncertainty looms over Labor's promises to voters
Anthony Albanese says his cabinet is preparing "an offer" to put to the Australian people at the election. As it crafts its pitch, the biggest uncertainty is what sort of parliament a second term Labor government would likely face.
Analysis
analysis:Government's pursuit of a hate speech law could take it down another cul-de-sac
When we consider the desirability of federal hate speech legislation, we quickly run into the freedom-of-speech conundrum. But a line in the sand would be useful.
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Analysis
analysis:When it comes to children's mental health, tougher action on social media needs to come from a united front
While federal politics often seems top-down on most issues, the fight against social media's grip on children is starting from the bottom and being pushed up.
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Analysis
analysis:Dutton takes aim at the budget's 'magic pudding' spending but the opposition now faces a tax dilemma
In his budget reply, Peter Dutton tapped into the electorally emotive issues of housing and immigration. It was a logical path to take.
Analysis
analysis:With a playful kick of red leaves, Jim Chalmers weaved his budget story
While the iconic "budget tree" has its own narrative, it's now up to Chalmers to weave his budget story and kick some goals for the government, writes Michelle Grattan.
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Analysis
analysis:O'Neil and Giles dodge the spotlight shining on blunders over ex-detainees
There are serious questions about ministerial responsibility and administrative competence (or incompetence) that need to be answered, writes Michelle Grattan.
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Analysis
analysis:Social media companies can’t be immune from the need for a social licence
The fight between Elon Musk and the government is in court, but in the court of public opinion, Anthony Albanese’s rejection of the up-yours attitude of the man he labels an arrogant egotistical billionaire is likely to resonate with many, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy reform
Australia's multiculturalism is enduring unprecedented strains, with all the difficulties that brings for political and community leaders.
Analysis
analysis:After this week, Albanese government can't be accused of being too cautious
Anthony Albanese's government is defining itself by robust stances, and two totally different topics this week are showing us how.
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Analysis
analysis:Albanese has made a statement in choosing Sam Mostyn as governor-general, but he could have been bolder
In appointing Samantha Mostyn as Australia's next representative of the king, Anthony Albanese has shown the two sides of his political character: a leader who wants to make a statement, but also a cautious leader.
Analysis
analysis:Would the Australian alliance with America survive another Trump presidency?
How well ambassador Kevin Rudd would go if there were another Trump administration is unknowable, but the bigger question is how the Albanese government would manage it, writes Michelle Grattan.
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Analysis
analysis: Like Peter Dutton, John Gorton once had a nuclear plan. It didn't end well
If history had taken a different turn, Australia might now not be debating nuclear power but have had it up and running for decades, writes Michelle Grattan.
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Analysis
analysis:The treasurer is preparing a new 'growth' script for his third budget
This is a transition budget that has to be crafted carefully, given the uncertain economic times, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:The voters of Dunkley have government and opposition in a guessing game
The prime minister has the foreign stage coming to him as he prepares for the special ASEAN summit in Melbourne. But with the Dunkley by-election only days before, he may have other things on his mind.
Analysis
analysis:Unshackle immigration from Home Affairs and give it its own department
A central problem is that the department's component parts are a bad fit. There seems an overwhelming case for separating immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs into their own department with cabinet status, writes Michelle Grattan.
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Analysis
analysis:Can the Albanese government show muscle in Indigenous policy? One test is coming next week
When the government presents its latest implementation plan for Closing the Gap on Tuesday, it will test its ability to produce policy muscle in Indigenous affairs, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:Albanese has started a cat-and-mouse battle on tax — and a scare campaign will follow
Those wanting comprehensive tax reform aren't saying trust should be breached — they're arguing now's the time to put the tax system on the table for review, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:Dutton is pursuing Albanese over his 'broken promise' but whether that will sway the Dunkley by-election remains to be seen
The vast majority of taxpayers in Dunkley will be better off under the government's tax cuts. That's the first problem for Peter Dutton. But then there is the question of the opposition's response, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:Albanese government under more heat as it tries to navigate its position on Gaza conflict
For an issue in which Australia is not a player and has no direct influence, the Israel-Hamas conflict is putting serious strain on the Albanese government, internally and externally, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:What would happen if Dutton managed to win the election? What kind of prime minister would he make?
If the government's position doesn't improve substantially, people will take a more serious look at Peter Dutton — the hard man from Queensland — and speculate about what sort of prime minister he'd make, writes Michelle Grattan.
Analysis
analysis:Bad patch or downhill slide? The government must apply the lobster test
Despite its unrelenting announcements the federal government is struggling on key issues. After successful trips to Washington and Beijing, prime minister Anthony Albanese is suddenly looking on the back foot.
Analysis
analysis:A government in a big hurry gives opposition some wins on ex-detainees
The High Court isn’t usually front and centre in politics. But when it is, it can land sharp punches that throw governments off balance.