About the author Michelle Grattan is chief political correspondent of The Conversation. She is a veteran of the Canberra press gallery and was previously political editor of The Age. Follow Michelle Grattan
Federal government quashes Victoria’s belt and road deal with China Thursday April 22, 2021 By Michelle Grattan Foreign Affairs & Immigration Foreign minister Marise Payne said the agreements were “inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations”.
Morrison wants to focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘when’ in climate debate Thursday April 22, 2021 By Michelle Grattan Energy & Environment The PM is seeking to focus the climate conversation on the ‘how’, saying "there [have] been enough conversations about the ‘when’, it’s about the how,…
Health minister Greg Hunt goes to hospital with infection but says don’t blame the jab Wednesday March 10, 2021 By Michelle Grattan Health The health minister was hospitalised overnight for observation, antibiotics and fluid. Hunt 'is expected to make a full recovery.'…
Linda Reynolds’ future as defence minister is in her own hands Monday March 1, 2021 By Michelle Grattan Career Matters Her detractors describe her as a 'nice person' but lacking the capacity or political authority to deal with the defence behemoth and its continuing problems…
Australians became more trusting of federal public services during pandemic: survey Wednesday December 16, 2020 By Michelle Grattan Editors' Picks The Citizen Experience Survey, done regularly and nationally, measures public satisfaction, trust and experiences with Australian public services.
ADF Chief Angus Campbell retreats after government’s sortie over citation Tuesday December 1, 2020 By Michelle Grattan Defence Campbell’s hasty retreat from his citation decision of less than a fortnight ago will raise questions about whether there will be soft pedalling on other…
Politicians not bureaucrats are the ones in touch, Scott Morrison claims in sports affair Thursday January 30, 2020 By Michelle Grattan Career Advice As the suspense over Bridget McKenzie’s future continues, Scott Morrison on Wednesday argued that in allocating public money, it’s politicians rather than officials who understand…
Don’t practice ‘promiscuous partisanship’, former public service commissioner warns bureaucrats Tuesday September 10, 2019 By Michelle Grattan Features The relationship between ministers and the Australian public service has transformed from a partnership to one more like “master-servant”, with the “master” including the minister’s…
Morrison can learn a lot from the public servants, but will he listen? Friday August 9, 2019 By Michelle Grattan Career Advice A government in office for any length of time needs a constantly evolving and innovative agenda, to which bureaucratic thought and expertise can contribute. Only…
View from The Hill: NSW result gives federal Liberals a boost in the mind games Monday March 25, 2019 By Michelle Grattan New South Wales The Liberals would delude themselves if they took too much heart from NSW. But at a psychological level it will lift the spirits of their…
Scott Morrison’s authority deficit on show at home and abroad Thursday November 29, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Editors' Picks The Liberals are shellshocked and unnerved after the Victorian rout and both the fact and implications of Julia Banks' desertion.
The uncivil Mr Jones and the Opera House stoush Tuesday October 9, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Features The row over shock jock Alan Jones and what will be displayed on the Sydney Opera House sails about The Everest horse race involves two…
New Treasury secretary rolls the dice on his future Tuesday July 17, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Editors' Picks As well as angering Labor, the installation of Phil Gaetjens has raised eyebrows in bureaucratic quarters.
The loners who lead, and trash, ‘personality’ parties Friday June 15, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Features Let the voter beware. We may be in a “celebrity” age but personality parties, based around a “name” implode, explode, or fizzle. In the last…
Young people, not employers, should choose super fund: Productivity Commission Tuesday May 29, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Features Young people entering the workforce should choose their own superannuation fund, rather than the present system of their employer selecting the fund for them, according…