This week, Guy Rundle described how Scott Morrison’s Liberals managed to steal Labor’s light on the hill, while Amber Schultz examined the unfortunate legacy of Alexander Downer.

Elsewhere, Meg Watson explored the passion and fury of Tigerland, and Charlie Lewis explained how ICAC goes about gathering evidence.

Finally, what the hell is The Australian going to do once all its sensible contributors flee Holt Street?

As always, we’d love to know what you thought of the week’s news. Write to boss@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name if you’d like to be considered for publication.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

Jim Chalmers' speech shows that Labor no longer understands its own founding philosophy — or the reasons for its crippling election loss.

PATRICK MARLBOROUGH 4 minute read

Australians shouldn't be surprised by Scott Morrison's subservience to Trump. This is the exact situation we've been careening towards.

GUY RUNDLE 2 minute read

Julia Gillard's appearance at the UK Conservative Party conference will come as no surprise to those who have watched her politics closely.

AMBER SCHULTZ 4 minute read

There's nothing unusual about politicians sending legal threats to media companies, but small publishers and private citizens increasingly need to watch their words too.

GUY RUNDLE 2 minute read

You can't pump out propaganda without some genuine news and relatively sane commentary to tie it down. The Oz no longer has that capacity.

DENNIS ATKINS 4 minute read

How would you feel if the Reserve Bank threw open the window and starting dumping cash on the street? It might be their only option if interest rate cuts can't boost the Australian economy.

CHARLIE LEWIS 4 minute read

Ever wondered how NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) gathers information during investigations? Crikey explains.

GLENN DYER 2 minute read

Seven West Media's cuts are likely to be the first of several hacks into the company's $1.3 billion cost base. Will it be enough?

JASON MURPHY 3 minute read

'Australia’s Christmas bonus' has a nice ring to it. Will Josh Frydenberg save Christmas with a fiscal miracle?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 2 minute read

Liberated from the shackles of the backbench, former prime minister Tony Abbott has found his voice again with a whistle-stop European tour.

JUSTINE LANDIS-HANLEY 2 minute read

Macquarie Media has spent millions on defamation payouts courtesy of its stable of shock jocks. But now CEO Adam Lang finds himself in the plaintiff's chair.

AMBER SCHULTZ 2 minute read

The conservative, Queen-loving Alexander Downer will forever be remembered, in the US at least, as the Australian who kicked off the Mueller investigation. That's got to sting a bit.

DENNIS ATKINS 4 minute read

Morrison doesn’t care that he’s easily lumped with Trump and Johnson, which suggests he thinks this will play well with those 'quiet Australians' he summons at every turn.