Malcolm Mackerras

Australia 10% Unemployment for 9.6% Dents Gillard Prosperity

Keith Darley, a 34-year-old electrician, hears from the government that Australia is the envy of the developed world. Yet the father of two, who employed 22 people a year ago, now works alone and says he’ll be voting against Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the Sept. 14 election.

Gillard Keeps Narrow Newspoll Lead Over Opposition Ahead of Australia Vote

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard ’s Labor Party held a narrow lead over the opposition in a Newspoll opinion survey published today as candidates make their final push for the Aug. 21 election.

RBA May Extend Australia Rate Pause, Averting Damage to Gillard

Australia’s central bank may keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for a third month after inflation slowed, averting an increase in mortgage costs that risked damaging Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s election campaign.

Gillard-Rudd Rift Makes Australia Labor Agenda a Harder Sell as Vote Nears

Fallout from the second leadership contest for Australia’s ruling party in 20 months will leave the victor needing to overcome near-record low public support and resuscitate the government ahead of elections due next year.

Gillard Clears Legacy of 2010 Unease in Australia Labor Leadership Victory

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s re-election as leader of the ruling Labor party may defuse public unease over how she came to power, giving greater scope to build voter support ahead of elections due next year.

Gillard Touts Budget Surplus to Reverse Leadership Slump

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, beset by political scandals and near-record low polls, will seek to win back disgruntled voters by delivering a federal budget tomorrow that ends four years of deficits.

Rudd Makes Tax on Australian Mining Industry Mainstay of Election Platform

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will base his election campaign this year on his plan to provide for a growing and ageing population by tapping profits from resources companies after abandoning action on climate change.

Australia’s Labor Party Falls in Poll After Queensland Loss

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Labor Party lost support in an opinion poll taken after a defeat in Queensland state, falling behind the opposition Liberal-National coalition by 20 percentage points.

Gillard Flexibility on Australia Mine Tax Revives Labor's Election Chances

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard ’s willingness to compromise on a mining tax proposed by her predecessor may prevent opposition leader Tony Abbott from reaping gains in elections likely to be held later this year.

Australia `Fully Committed' to 40% Tax on Resources Profits, Rudd Says

Australia’s government is committed to its planned additional tax on natural resource companies and the 40 percent rate is “right” because firms aren’t paying a fair amount, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.

"It does not really matter what Labor does in the budget-- the voters have stopped listening to Gillard and are just waiting for a chance to get rid of her."

- Malcolm Mackerras on May 06, 2012

Labor Party

Kevin Rudd

Julia Gillard

Third Point Said to Urge Sony for Entertainment IPO

Japan Prime Minister’s Aide Makes Unannounced N. Korea Visit

Taiwan Rebuffs Aquino on Sea Death as Economic Ties at Risk

Asian Stocks Advances as Nikkei 225 Surges Above 15,000

Bomb Threats That Aborted China Flights Unfounded, Xinhua Says