MAY 18, 2019

GIVE THE GIFT OF CRIKEY | TIP OFF | VIEW IN BROWSER

The rise of independents across the nation. A genuine acknowledgement of climate change. Fresh cracks in the institutional power of the hard right, most notably Tony Abbott in Warringah.

Political insiders have dubbed this election campaign uninspiring, but, closer to the ground, we found plenty of excited people who only get a voice once every three years. From the shores of Tasmania to the cliffs of Manly, we spoke to them and we hope you’ve found value in that.

Check in again tomorrow for a special election edition.

Have a great weekend,

Bhakthi Puvanenthiran
Managing Editor

Can the bookies tell us who will be the next prime minister?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

Some pundits swear by the idea the betting markets are a stronger indicator of an upcoming election's outcome than any polling. But how does it work?

Vale Bob, co-founder of 21st-century Australia

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

You can divide Australian life into before Bob and after Bob. He was a unique politician who, with Paul Keating, created modern Australia.

News Corp goes troppo

News Corp v Labor: 24 hours in the election news cycle

EMILY WATKINS and CHRIS WOODS 6 minute read

We traced News Corp's messaging on Labor from the morning papers through to Sky After Dark.

A political hit job gone wrong: how News Corp created its own existential crisis

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

We have now reached a point with News Corp where it is no longer treated like a normal media organisation — by anyone.

How News Corp campaigns in a different reality to the rest of Australia

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

News Corp has a long history of backing unlikely — and often unpopular — election winners. Will the federal election be any different?

Looking for Tony Abbott: a candidate gone to ground

CHARLIE LEWIS 5 minute read

Tony Abbott might not be winning friends outside of Warringah, but hanging out at the local mall he's in his element. Having John Howard beside him helps.

After watergate, will Barnaby Joyce lose New England to an independent?

ERIN HANDLEY 6 minute read

In Saturday’s election, Barnaby Joyce is widely expected to stroll to victory. Who is the new independent getting in his way?

Downer bells the cat: Coalition set to renew its war on industry super

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

The issue has been dormant for a few months, but expect the Liberals to go after industry super again if they're returned to government.

Drama and tragedy roll on in Rush defamation case

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The appeal is unabashedly sensational, in true Telegraph style. Discarding the available low-key options like arguing the judge got the law wrong, it went for Wigney’s conduct of the case instead. The appeal will argue, among other things, that Wigney’s conduct 'gave rise to an apprehension of bias'.

'Bias' is an incredibly incendiary word for lawyers to say, especially when directed at a judge. — Michael Bradley

Accusations of bias. Witness X revealed. Tactical ploys ahead of special damages. This thing is far from done.

Foxtel’s streaming is on the rise but it’s still a financial black hole

GLENN DYER 3 minute read

The financials are bad for Foxtel, but the bigger worry is the slump in subscriber numbers.

The polite protests of Warringah

CHARLIE LEWIS 4 minute read

The relative privilege of these crowds doesn't undermine the sincerity or importance of what they're trying to achieve, but it does shift the tone. Every protest is imbued by this smiling confidence that they will win.

How News Corp decides when religious free speech is acceptable

JENNINE KHALIK 3 minute read

Can you spot the pattern?

Labor is looking towards a victory — but one far harder than it should have been

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Polls and on-the-ground intelligence suggests Labor will fall over the line on Saturday, but it should have sealed the deal ages ago.

Reserve Bank confirms weak economy propped up by government spending

BERNARD KEANE and GLENN DYER 3 minute read

The Reserve Bank has significantly lowered its forecasts for economic growth — and wage stagnation is to blame.

The contradictions of Bob Hawke play out for Shorten

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Bugger if Hawkey’s only gone and done it! Anyone who votes Liberal tomorrow is a bum! Would that swing it? What timing. Stupendous. The man was great, whatever great means, but anyone who ever worked with him knew him to be an always-on, all singing, all dancing extravaganza. For his demise to land 48 hours before the poll… well, the man went out as he came in. — Guy rundle

To be young and left during the rise of Bob Hawke was to be in heaven. But now, looking back, we can see he marked a time when Labor began its backwards steps.

The road to deportation: inside the Biloela family’s 15-month detention

REBEKAH HOLT 4 minute read

In March 2018, Priya and her family gained national attention after a dawn raid on their home. Yesterday, after much quiet anguish, they lost their High Court bid to avoid deportation.

Why you can’t sue a political party for misleading advertising in an election

JENNINE KHALIK and BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

Independent for Kooyong Oliver Yates believes he's been the target of a misleading political campaign. Now he's calling for reform.

For Indigenous voters, this election is just more of the same

NATALIE CROMB 4 minute read

Both major parties continue to see our community as a problem that requires solving. Nothing will be solved until we have a seat at the table.

Having learnt from Labor, the Coalition goes hard on last-minute scares

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Labor can complain about the Coalition's negative gearing scare campaign all it likes, but it benefited from lying to voters in 2016.