Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg calls this a “pandemic budget” – one to sustain the economy in times that are still uncertain.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has finally seen off John Setka from the ALP, with the militant construction union leader capitulating and quitting.

Legitimate questions have been raised about Gladys Liu and her association, direct or indirect, with the Chinese Communist Party & the money she’s raised.

Families earning up to $174,000 will receive cheaper childcare under a Labor government, under a $4billion suite of changes proposed by Bill Shorten.

Michelle Grattan wrrites that it’s no good being inclusive one day and shrill and politically expedient on another when building a multicultural society.

Bill Shorten says an investment of $1.75 billion would mean about 700,00 children a year would be able to access subsidised preschooling.

The Referendum Council’s call for a national Indigenous representative assembly to be put into the constitution was rejected, effectively taking recognition back to square one.

Peter Dutton hit out at a group of Australian CEOs calling on the government for action on same sex marriage saying they should stick to their knitting.

If Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister, what sort of Senate he has will be crucial for handling the carbon tax and much else.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus – well, yes, when it comes to how they see reasons why there are not more females in the Australian public service’s senior ranks.

The other day Greens leader Christine Milne noticed a tweet saying “Get out of the way Christine and leave it to the big boys”.

It was a freezing winter day in Wangaratta.