Opinion

This page contains commentary by Malcolm Farnsworth.

Archived Posts

May 25, 2013: Would A Double Dissolution In Early 2014 Be Unconstitutional?
Malcolm Farnsworth argues there should be no impediment to a valid and constitutional double dissolution in the first half of 2014.

May 13, 2013: A Scenario For Tony Abbott And A Motion Of No-Confidence
Malcolm Farnsworth ponders how Tony Abbott might best take advantage of this week’s parliamentary proceedings to move a motion of no-confidence in the Gillard government.

Jan 30, 2013: Why Has Gillard Picked September 14?
Listen to Malcolm Farnsworth interviewed on SBS about today’s announcement by Julia Gillard of an election on September 14.

Jan 07, 2013: Who Will Win The 2013 Federal Election? – Part 1
A question and answer session teasing out some of the important elements of this year’s Australian federal election.

Jan 03, 2013: Julia Gillard’s Place Amongst The List Of Australian Prime Ministers
Some observations about Julia Gillard’s place amongst the men who have been prime minister of Australia. Longevity shouldn’t be prized over achievement but it’s intriguing to consider where she is placed at the beginning of this election year.

Jan 02, 2013: When Will The 2013 Federal Election Be Held?
A question and answer approach to some of the factors that might determine the timing of this year’s election. Good new year speculation fun for all the family.

Jul 19, 2012: When Is A Shift Not A Shift?
A frontpage report in the Financial Review this morning invited readers to believe that union support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s leadership was “shifting”.

Apr 22, 2012: Peter Slipper Stands Aside As Speaker
Text of a statement from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Peter Slipper, announcing that he will step aside, pending the resolution of allegations against him. Also statements from Gillard and Abbott, with audio of Abbott’s two media conferences.

Feb 27, 2012: Gillard And Her Caucus: Sink Or Swim Together
Malcolm Farnsworth says the ALP caucus has tied its fate to Julia Gillard in today’s leadership ballot.

Feb 23, 2012: Will Labor Keep Marching Off The Cliff?
Malcolm Farnsworth argues that an opportunity has arrived for the ALP caucus. They can take it or they can keep marching off the cliff with Julia Gillard.

Feb 20, 2012: The Labor Leadership: A Time Of Peril And Opportunity
Malcolm Farnsworth argues that the federal Labor leadership question is about to erupt and this is a time to pay attention.

Jan 23, 2012: Poker Machine Doublespeak
Malcolm Farnsworth argues that Julia Gillard has dudded Andrew Wilkie over poker machine reform but it is her judgment and conviction that have been brought into question again.

Jan 04, 2012: The Iowa Caucuses: A Model Of Participatory Democracy?
Malcolm Farnsworth argues that US primary and caucus elections are a great spectacle but are hardly exemplars of participatory democracy.

Dec 28, 2011: Eight Observations About How I Use Twitter
Eight observations about how I use Twitter, four years on from joining.

Dec 26, 2011: Confusion, Timidity And Capitulation On Asylum Seekers
Malcolm Farnsworth argues the federal government has abdicated leadership and has been begging the Opposition to rescue it on asylum seeker policy.

Dec 16, 2011: A Lot To Account For In Politicians’ Pay
A Lot To Account For In Politicians’ Pay – opinion article by Malcolm Farnsworth, published in the Sydney Morning Herald on December 16, 2011.

Dec 16, 2011: Gillard And Rudd: Last Lingering Question Of 2011
The Gillard-Rudd standoff is unsustainable. As 2011 ends, it is the major unresolved issue for the federal government. At some point in the new year, the issue will be dealt with.

Dec 12, 2011: Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive?
Tony Abbott is being urged to go positive but is this the best strategy for an Opposition Leader mid-term? What does recent experience suggest is the best course for the Liberal leader? What is the best option for playing the long game?

Dec 05, 2011: ALP Conference: Some Votes Are More Equal Than Others
The ALP National Conference was as far removed from political reality as Question Time. Decisions made on the conference floor were nowhere near as important as those decided by oligarchs behind the scenes. The policy decisions on refugees and gay marriage reflect a party contorted by political considerations and afraid of upsetting its ...

Nov 25, 2011: After Four Years, Labor Is Still Buying Time
The Labor government is four years old this week. Julia Gillard’s dilemma is that she heads an ageing government pretending that it’s new, still describing this year as one of decision and delivery. The government’s inability to sell a message remains a central problem.

Jul 16, 2011: Selling The Carbon Tax: Less Is More
Julia Gillard should have stayed in bed this week, for all the good her carbon tax campaigning did. In fact, she ought to just shut up about the carbon tax and get on with something else. This week smacks of the same hopeless political strategy that Rudd and Gillard have fallen for before, the strategy that says ...

Jul 11, 2011: We Want Gough!
On Gough Whitlam’s 95th birthday, Malcolm Farnsworth writes about a leader of commitment, conviction and persuasive talent.

Jul 10, 2011: A Tax and Welfare Package As Much As An Environmental Plan
After labouring for months, the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee has brought forth a tax and welfare package as much as an environmental policy. With significant implications for the welfare sector, and tax cuts for everyone earning up to $80,000 a year, in the short term the carbon tax may not be the most important effect of ...

May 31, 2011: Drama In The House As Speaker Jenkins Threatens To Resign
House Speaker Harry Jenkins came close to resigning today after one of his rulings was repudiated by the House. A quick response from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who moved a confidence motion in Jenkins, calmed the situation. Listen to the proceedings here.

May 03, 2011: Bin Laden, Twitter, And Gaudy Media Baubles
At 12.15pm yesterday afternoon, I turned on ABC News24 and was told that Barack Obama was due to appear on television at 12.30pm. There was no information on what he intended talking about. Since this was 10.30pm on a Sunday night in Washington, you didn’t need to be particularly bright to work out ...

Apr 15, 2011: Down And Out In Centrelink And NewStart
Gillard and Abbott luxuriate in vote-winning headlines about crackdowns on welfare cheats but the real welfare rort is a privatised unemployment system where individuals are counted as income-producing units for Job Network providers.

Apr 06, 2011: Prime Minister, It’s Time To Sack Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister Julia Gillard should sack Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd for breaching the principle of collective ministerial responsibility. Politically, she should move against him because his presence weakens her own position.

Apr 04, 2011: So Much For Parliament In Queensland
The Queensland Liberal National Party has elected Campbell Newman leader, even though he has yet to win a seat in Parliament. Whilst the strategy may succeed, representative government and the parliamentary system deserve better than to be treated with such cavalier contempt.

Mar 24, 2011: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Julia?
Amidst the escalating vitriol directed at Julia Gillard, what convictions does the Prime Minister have? Still justifying her prime ministership, Gillard battles a perception that her government lacks something at its core.

Mar 10, 2011: Getting The Water: It’s Not Over Yet
Malcolm Farnsworth writes about his experience of being flooded, a different experience from his childhood memories of ‘getting the water’.

Jan 27, 2011: Drifting Into The New Year On Thin Gruel
Malcolm Farnsworth listened to Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Australia Day speech. Dismayed by the platitudes, tone and content, he thinks the government looks and sounds like a bunch of middle-level managers addicted to process and jargon.

Jan 04, 2011: Political Speeches of 2010: RN Breakfast Discussion
Audio of Malcolm Farnsworth’s appearance on Radio National Breakfast with Julian Morrow discussing the best political speeches of 2010.

Jan 02, 2011: Talking 110 Years of the Australian Constitution
Malcolm Farnsworth discusses the 110th anniversary of the Australian Constitution with Tim Shaw on radio 2UE’s Legal Matters segment.

Dec 16, 2010: Here Is The News
Malcolm Farnsworth contemplates the nature of news in a week that featured Oprah Winfrey, Julia Gillard, James Dibble and Julian Assange.

Dec 02, 2010: The March of Political Time
The bulk of Australia’s federal and state governments since 1901 have enjoyed remarkable longevity. In recent times it appears that the electoral survival of governments has become harder. Malcolm Farnsworth sifts some of the figures.

Nov 18, 2010: History Is Written By The Winners
Malcolm Farnsworth argues that the survivors and victors are writing and revising the history of the Rudd leadership. It’s time we heard from some of the other players.

Nov 04, 2010: Giving Substance To The Words
Malcolm Farnsworth looks at the first speeches of new members of Australia’s 43rd Parliament, following the 2010 election. First published on The Drum.

Oct 21, 2010: Is It Time For The Liberals To Dispose Of Abbott?
Abbott looks like a general fighting the last war, argues Malcolm Farnsworth. Is he a one-trick pony? Perhaps it’s time for the Liberals to consider disposing of him?

Oct 07, 2010: The Real Julia: Is That It?
The Prime Minister first raised the question of who the real Julia was, argues Malcolm Farnsworth. Perhaps we did actually see her during the election campaign. But is it enough?

Sep 22, 2010: The Twitter Election? Not Likely.
Malcolm Farnsworth reflects on the use of social media, especially Twitter, during the recent federal election and questions whether this is the dawn of a golden democratic age.

Sep 15, 2010: The Second Gillard Government: Politics Is Personal
Casting an eye over the men and women who assembled at Government House yesterday to be sworn in as members of the minority Gillard Labor government.

Aug 22, 2010: Politics Abhors A Vacuum
The real campaign for government began last night, argues Malcolm Farnsworth. Having delivered a hung parliament, the voters will now have to wait for negotiations between the main parties and the independents to play out over the coming days and weeks.

Aug 20, 2010: A Glorious Day Dawns Tomorrow
Malcolm Farnsworth spares a thought for tomorrow’s losers and contemplates the perilous position of the Gillard government.

Aug 19, 2010: Day 33: The Dying Moments
Malcolm Farnsworth looks at the rhythms and rituals of an election campaign in its dying days. Can one side gain momentum to carry them across the line?

Aug 18, 2010: Day 32: Look, They’re Voting
Amidst a torrent of pre-poll voters, Malcolm Farnsworth talks to party campaign workers in La Trobe.

Aug 17, 2010: Day 31: Sound And Fury
Malcolm Farnsworth examines Julia Gillard’s campaign launch speech in Brisbane and finds it wanting.

Aug 16, 2010: Melbourne: Two Kinds Of Politics
Malcolm Farnsworth looks at the contest in the Melbourne electorate between the ALP and the Greens. He also talks to Hutch Hussein, National Co-Convenor of Emily’s List. Includes video of the Equal Love rally.

Aug 13, 2010: Day 27: What Are They Thinking?
Malcolm Farnsworth has a hair cut, attends a debate in the Melbourne electorate and wonders, with a week to go, what the voters are thinking.

Aug 12, 2010: Day 26: The Conventional Wisdom Turns
Malcolm Farnsworth ponders the polls and the changing conventional wisdom in the federal election. Who to believe?

Aug 10, 2010: Day 24: The Government Resurgent
The government appears to be resurgent and but Malcolm Farnsworth wonders whether it’s all too late.

Aug 09, 2010: Throwing The Switch To Burlesque
Gillard meets with Rudd, Latham enters the campaign and Abbott presents himself as the adult in the room. Malcolm Farnsworth says the election campaign has turned to burlesque.

Aug 06, 2010: Day 20: New Hope
As a faint whiff of hope for the ALP emerges in the election campaign, Malcolm Farnsworth attends a public forum in the Deakin electorate.

Aug 05, 2010: Day 19: Return To Norwood
After twenty years, Malcolm Farnsworth returns to Norwood Secondary College and speaks with a group of Year 12 students about the election campaign.

Aug 04, 2010: Day 18: Bloggers Galore And Not A Swinging Voter In Sight
Malcolm Farnsworth samples election opinion at a conference for bloggers and online business people.

Aug 03, 2010: Day 17 – Amusing Ourselves To Defeat
Malcolm Farnsworth talks with a Sex Party candidate and contemplates the role played by laughter in politics.

Aug 02, 2010: The ALP Is Losing And They Know It
The ALP should be cruising to victory against a ramshackle coalition, says Malcolm Farnsworth, but Julia Gillard’s campaign seems riddled with contradictions.

Jul 30, 2010: Day 13: All Politics Is Local
Malcolm Farnsworth attends a campaign event in the marginal electorate of McEwen. This kind of community politics seems far removed from what we see on television.

Jul 29, 2010: Day 12: Peril
Malcolm Farnsworth ponders the leaks that have derailed the Gillard government’s campaign. Will they propel Abbott into office or will it be the making of Julia Gillard. Is the moment of peril over?

Jul 28, 2010: Day 11: With The Liberals in Deakin
Malcolm Farnsworth visits the marginal electorate of Deakin in the easter suburbs of Melbourne and talks with the Liberal candidate – and former member – Phil Barresi.

Jul 27, 2010: Day 10: Rituals, Women And A Moment To Behold
Malcolm Farnsworth looks at sexist attitudes towards Julia Gillard and notes a moment to behold when Graham Richardson spoke up for Penny Wong on QandA.

Jul 26, 2010: The Narrative: Week Two Begins
Malcolm Farnsworth looks at the government’s climate change election policy and wonders what it says about Gillard and the ALP. As the party leaders debated on television, the Liberals also came under fire over their policies.

Jul 23, 2010: Day 6: Little Actions Vibrate
The election campaign is supposedly suspended because of the funeral of a soldier killed in Afghanistan and Malcolm Farnsworth attends a GetUp! meeting.

Jul 22, 2010: Day 5: In The Arena
Malcolm Farnsworth goes on a shopping centre walkabout in La Trobe with Chris Bowen and Laura Smyth, and then visits Adam Bandt’s launch of the Greens campaign in Melbourne.

Jul 21, 2010: Day 4: On Message
On Day 4 of the 2010 Australian election campaign, says Malcolm Farnsworth, it was much the same: lots of activity but a sense that the real events were taking place elsewhere. For Gillard and Abbott, it was time to focus on bread and butter issues. Time to shake off the distractions and target ...

Jul 20, 2010: Day 3: Oh My God, They Killed WorkChoices!
On Day 3 of the election campaign, it seems to be all about Gillard, says Malcolm Farnsworth. And on the campaign trail, the stench of WorkChoices was everywhere for Tony Abbott.

Jul 19, 2010: Days 1-2: On Message As The Election Skirmish Begins
Malcolm Farnsworth examines the political messages from Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott on the first two days of the 2010 election.

Jul 16, 2010: ALP Entering A Brave New Internet World
On the day Laurie Oakes asked a famous question of Julia Gillard at the National Press Club, the ALP launched its online portal Labor Connect. Malcolm Farnsworth looks at the party’s foray into internet outreach and social networking.

Jun 22, 2010: Galahs And Polls
Malcolm Farnsworth takes a look at opinion polls and the reporting of them. Is Rudd in trouble? Is the Labor government travelling well? It seems to depend on how you interpret the figures.

May 26, 2010: Pollie Wants To Twitter?
If Hugo Chavez can establish a special office with 200 staff to handle requests from his followers on Twitter, perhaps it’s time that Australian MPs got with the program, writes Malcolm Farnsworth. In this article, he offers some advice to politicians on how to use Twitter.

Jun 29, 2009: 2CC Commentary: Liberal Leadership & Climate Change
I appeared on Mark Parton’s breakfast show on Canberra Radio 2CC this morning. We touched on the state of Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership of the Liberal Party, especially in the light of today’s opinion polls which show a significant collapse in coalition support and approval of Turnbull. Click the PLAY button to listen to the discussion: Audio clip: Adobe ...

Apr 25, 2005: Bjelke-Petersen: Corrupt, Venal, Vindictive, Hypocritical, Dangerous
Malcolm Farnsworth takes issue with much of the media coverage of the death of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Only The Australian newspaper dealt with the reality of the former Queenslander’s 18-year premiership.

Jun 26, 2002: Arse-Licking Hypocrisy
Malcolm Farnsworth comments on the debate over Mark Latham’s “arse-licking” comments and Tony Abbott’s confected outrage.

Aug 01, 2001: Is The Ground Shifting?
Malcolm Farnsworth ponders the political situation as the 2001 federal election draws near.

Mar 15, 2001: The Politics Of The Exchange Rate
The overnight news that the Australian dollar fell below 50 U.S. cents on international money markets is a significant symbolic political event. In the aftermath of a decline in economic growth in the December quarter, and with the latest unemployment figures due to be released today, the news could not come at a worse ...

Mar 14, 2001: John Howard: Philosophy and Political Tactics In Action
With the Ryan by-election only days away, and polls continuing to show growing support for the ALP, Prime Minister John Howard has made a number of speeches and statements in recent days that reveal much about his approach to politics.

Feb 11, 2001: The Difficult Task Of Winning A Third Term
The landslide victory for the ALP in the Western Australian election is further evidence of a phenomenon that must concern John Howard’s Federal Government. Elections over the past 10 years have indicated that governments of all persuasions are finding it next to impossible to win a third term in office.

May 29, 2000: The Speech Howard Should Have Made
The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, has made the speech John Howard should have given to Corroboree 2000.

May 28, 2000: A By-Election In Isaacs?
The possibility of a resignation by Greg Wilton, ALP Member for the House of Representatives seat of Isaacs in Victoria, raises some interesting questions about the implications of a by-election during the remainder of this year.

Dec 31, 1999: World’s Bloodiest Century Draws To A Close
The century that saw the deaths of over 150 million people in wars draws to a close tonight. The century of great butchers – Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot and others – exacted an horrific toll unmatched in the history of human life on this planet. From the Boer War that raged on New Year’s Day 1900, ...

Dec 02, 1999: Great Man Sends Birthday Greetings
Gough Whitlam, former Prime Minister and Greatest Living Australian, has sent this email on the anniversary of his election to government and Malcolm Farnsworth’s birthday: Everybody knows that this is the anniversary of Napoleon I’s coronation and Louis Napoleon’s coup d’état and the defeats of ramshackle and reactionary coalitions by Napoleon at Austerlitz, by me in ...

Apr 18, 1998: Swanson Dock – An Eye-Witness Account
It’s 9.20am and I’ve just got home after having been at Swanson Dock since 12.30am. It really was a remarkable evening of standing around doing nothing, occasionally linking arms “in practice”, cheering at speeches, laughing at jokes, catching up with people I hadn’t seen for ages, discussing politics, ALP pre-selections and the like. Around 4.55am the ...

Nov 18, 1997: Auditing The Backbones
The Victorian Liberal Party’s Parliamentary wing wimped it again today. The bloated backbench failed yet again to stand up to the Kennett government’s moves to butcher the office of the Auditor-General. Once more, the brave boys and girls bowed down in a terrible conflict of fear and ambition. Reports of a party-room ...

Nov 16, 1997: Vote For A Real Republic!
A column by Malcolm Farnsworth on why he’s voting for the Real Republic ticket in the Constitutional Convention elections.