By Simon Bevilacqua THE two most powerful ploys in public political debate are to set the agenda and frame the narrative. Eric Abetz knows this well after 22 years as a senator and Tasmanian Liberal powerbroker. Abetz is one of the most astute politicians on the federal scene. He has set the agenda and framed […]

By Joanne Mather Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 2 July 2016 The Liberal rout in Tasmania came at the hands of voters who were convinced by Labor’s claims about Medicare being in danger, local leaders said. “On the other hand, the Liberal campaign around corporate tax cuts and private sector investment driving jobs and growth just […]

By Joanne Mather Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 3 July 2016 Five independent and minor party politicians who could hold the balance of power are already laying out conditions. The Nick Xenophon Team, which won the seat of Mayo in South Australia, named job losses in the steel town of Wyalla, restrictions on gambling and a federal corruption watchdog as priorities. Independent […]

By Professor Richard Eccleston After a lacklustre campaign the 2016 federal election is going down to the wire. There was a 3% swing against the Coalition on the Eastern seaboard and it appears that Nick Xenophon will not only control the Senate but may, along with Andrew Wilkie and other independents, even determine who becomes […]