Anna Bligh

Crawlies lurk under federal rock

19 May 2012 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Crawlies to be found under federal rock

Toohey | The existing system relies on the AFP to unearth corruption, but that’s not good enough. We need a federal integrity watchdog.

Abbot Pt coal terminal expansion scrapped

19 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | $9bn coal port plan

The Newman government has pulled the plug on the $9 billion privately-funded expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal in North Queensland, a project that would have created one of the largest coal ports in the world.

Has Labor lost Gen Y?

18 May 2012 | Benjamin Law

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Gen Y and the blight on the hill

Bejamin Law says Labor’s poor media performance and conservatism have alienated younger voters, but there’s still time for the disaffected to make a difference.

Yahoo! boss too polished

15 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Yahoo! boss too polished

Scott Thompson, the Yahoo CEO caught out on resume fraud, says his fictitious computer science degree was the result of an overzealous enhancement by a recruiter.

The Gillard factor makes Labor a pariah

04 May 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | The Gillard factor makes Labor a pariah

Labor would regain more than a million votes if the PM were dumped in favour of Kevin Rudd.

Popular game of pass the buck

04 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 47 | The popular game of pass the buck

Ludlow | Campbell Newman is dabbling in the time-honoured tradition of sheeting home blame for any ongoing problems to the former government.

ALP likely to keep Bligh’s old seat

30 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 30 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | ALP likely to keep Bligh’s old seat

Labor is likely to hold on to the seat of its former leader in Queensland, Anna Bligh, despite a mass defection of voters to the Australian Greens.

Qld byelection tests ALP

28 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Byelection tests ALP

The Queensland Labor Party is confident it will be able to win the crucial byelection on Saturday for the seat of South Brisbane which was vacated following the resignation of former premier Anna Bligh.

Katter’s man has his eye on Canberra

12 April 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Katter’s man eyes Canberra

The leader of the Queensland branch of Katter’s Australian Party, Aidan McLindon, has signalled he could contest the federal election next year, building on Bob Katter’s strategy to target seats in which voters are disaffected with major parties.

Katter: not just a Queensland thing

11 April 2012 | Alan Stokes

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 51 | Katter: it’s not just a Queensland thing

Katter’s rise raises a key question: must the city-country divide, cost of living and political cynicism always find an outlet in a race to the bottom?

Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

10 April 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 53 | Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

If the result of the Queensland state election is any guide, the first week or so after the next federal election should provide some interesting lessons in life for Labor’s caucus members.

The Katter factor that came from his dad’s knee

10 April 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 8 | Katter factor came from his dad’s knee

When Bob Katter takes his political franchise onto the national stage, he will be rewriting the rules in relation to the calculation of the two-party preferred vote.

Qld turns its back on world’s best Treasurer

03 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 61 | Qld turns its back on world’s best Treasurer

When Anna Bligh emerged to deliver her concession speech to Labour faithful on election insight on March 24, fellow Queenslander, deputy premier and federal Treasurer Wayne Swan was nowhere to be seen.

Labor can’t hide behind gender excuse

03 April 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 61 | Polls apart in the prattle of the sexes

Blaming the ALP’s electoral problems on gender bias – in Queensland or Canberra – does not stand up to close examination.

Higher political hurdles for women

31 March 2012 | Anne Summers

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 51 | Women leaders in war of words

Is there a connection between the electoral annihilation of Anna Bligh’s government and the electoral prospects of Julia Gillard? The fact they’re both women ought to be merely incidental – yet gender is indisputably a factor.

National briefs

31 March 2012 |

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 12 |

A High Court judge has labelled elements of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s case against Fortescue Metals founder Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest as embarrassing. Justice William Gummow said some of the commission’s argument was “embarrassing”.

Qld could face another credit downgrade

31 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Qld could face another credit downgrade

A confidential briefing document for the incoming government warns the state’s present financial path is “unsustainable” and Premier Campbell Newman says a further credit downgrade is possible.

Power derails states’ reform agenda

31 March 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 62 | Power derails states’ reform agenda

Editorial | None of the conservative parties that now hold office in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland has laid out compelling, market-focused blueprints for change.

Clem Grehan to recontest Bligh’s seat

30 March 2012 |

The Liberal National Party will give Clem Grehan a second chance at winning the Queensland seat of South Brisbane.

Leighton flicks the safety switch

28 March 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Leighton flicks the safety switch

Leighton Holdings is returning to the confessional box for what seems like the umpteenth time this year.

A machine that killed its makers

28 March 2012 | Janine Walker

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 63 | A machine that killed its makers

Casting himself as the CEO of Queensland Inc, Peter Beattie publicly groomed Anna Bligh as Queensland premier.

Is Gillard going to fit Bligh into federal parliament?

28 March 2012 | Trevor G Cowell

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 59 |

Julia Gillard will now have to organise a resignation to shoehorn Anna Bligh into federal parliament – and perhaps a ministry. Soon her team will be full of rejects.

Newman recruits old mates from City Hall

28 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Newman recruits mates from City Hall

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has rejected claims of cronyism after appointing four former Brisbane City Council executives and two Liberal National Party members to head the state’s public service.

Labor faces a ‘Mount Everest’ to rebuild

27 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Labor faces a ‘Mount Everest’ to rebuild

Queensland Labor’s new parliamentary leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has vowed to rebuild the party after Saturday’s “horrific” defeat, saying the former Bligh government had stopped listening to voters.

Is brand Labor suited to modern society?

27 March 2012 | Des Moore

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 57 | Is Labor brand suited to modern society?

Geoff Kitney suggests “the reality that the Labor brand is seriously damaged has been clear for all to see for a long time” (“Positive shift may yet end in tears”, Opinion, March 24-25) but that Prime Minister Julia Gillard may have helped the brand with her recent “more positive mood” as reflected in the carbon tax, the mining tax and vehicle industry assistance. But does such legislation really offer a Labor brand suited to a modern society?

Electors shut out leaders’ drone

27 March 2012 | Peter J Sullivan

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 57 | Electors shut out leaders’ drone

I am amazed, but not necessarily surprised, that neither the so-called party strategists, advisers and gurus nor the media political commentators seem to get the message that there comes a point in time when the majority of electors simply turn off listening to parliamentary leaders and, consequently, their particular party.

Newman eyes $3bn for QR National stake

27 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Newman eyes $3bn for QR stake

The Queensland government is expected to kick off a process for the sale of its 35 per cent stake in QR National in the next few months as the railroad group remains open to buying back shares.

Banker is Newman’s go-to man

27 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Banker is Newman’s go-to man

The former chief executive of Prime Infrastructure and investment banker, Jon Grayson, has been appointed director-general of Queensland’s Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Federal Labor to the rescue in Queensland

27 March 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Labor MPs read the riot act

Federal Labor MPs are demanding a complete overhaul of election campaigning in Queensland after the Bligh government’s demolition in the state election.

Labor brand headed for oblivion

27 March 2012 | Ian Ward

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 63 | Historic brand headed for oblivion

Born under the tree of knowledge in the 1890s, Brand Labor may go the way of Kodak.

Federal Labor in denial

27 March 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 2 | Federal Labor in denial

Hewett | Federal Labor is determined to pretend the political slaughter in Queensland had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Dick won't stand for Labor in by-election

26 March 2012 |

Former Queensland education minister Cameron Dick has said he won't stand in the South Brisbane by-election, a move that could have seen him lead Labor.

Jetstar, not Qantas, takes on Asia

26 March 2012 | MICHAEL SMITH

Alan Joyce has fallen back to plan B for Asia with Jetstar bound for Hong Kong.

BoQ plans $450m raising, flags $91m loss

26 March 2012 | George Liondis

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 24 | Bad debts send BoQ reeling

Updated | Bank of Queensland has announced plans to raise $450 million in capital as it flagged a $91 million first-half loss because of a jump in impairments on loans.

Joyce’s seat bid loses Nats support

26 March 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 12 | Joyce’s seat bid loses Nats support

Barnaby Joyce will have his work cut out for him in switching to the lower house, as he will have to take on a former Howard-era minister or a popular independent.

The day that Labor’s nightmare began

26 March 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 55 | The day that Labor’s nightmare began

The Queensland ALP was pronounced terminally ill the day before the election, when the bookies started to pay out on a LNP win.

National briefs

26 March 2012 |

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 10 |

The Queensland Greens failed to secure a single seat in the Queensland Parliament despite an increase in the level of community concern surrounding coal and coal-seam gas development in the state.

Bligh quits so ALP can heal

26 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | Bligh quits so ALP can heal

Outgoing premier Anna Bligh plans to quit politics immediately to allow Labor to rebuild from its humiliating defeat under her leadership.

Labor loss ‘worst at any level’

26 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | Labor loss ‘worst at any level’

Labor’s 44-seat election loss is the worst in Queensland’s political history with only the party’s 1974 “cricket team” result coming close.

Humiliating defeat for a party all out of excuses

26 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | Humiliating defeat for a party all out of excuses

Voters have been waiting a long time to deliver the brutal message they sent to Anna Bligh and Queensland Labor on Saturday night.

Queensland massacres Labor

26 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 4 | Queensland massacres Labor

The Queensland Labor party could face more than a decade in the political wilderness after the Liberal National Party delivered one of the worst political defeats in Australian political history in the state election.

Bligh’s spin creates flood of distrust

26 March 2012 | Mark Latham

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 55 | Spin tricks create flood of distrust

The ALP provides a lesson, yet again, in how not to run an election campaign.

Queensland tips balance of power to states

26 March 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 54 | Qld tips the balance of power to states

Editorial | The massive humiliation dealt out to Labor in the Queensland election was largely a rest of voter dissatisfaction with the Bligh government.

Newman vows to hit the ground running

26 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 52 | Newman vows to hit the ground running

Queensland’s incoming premier has a comprehensive plan of action to shake up the state.

Rudd’s corpse warms after Queensland poll rout

26 March 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 5 | Rudd’s corpse warms

Labor’s Queensland election wipeout has revived questioning of Julia Gillard’s leadership amid warnings that key factors which destroyed the Labor state government’s credibility are also likely to impact federally.

Carbon, mining taxes to blame, says Qld business

26 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Carbon, mining taxes to blame: business

Queensland business leaders say federal issues are at the heart of Labor’s devastating election defeat and that the incoming Liberal National Party must keep its promise of cutting bureaucracy and fighting new taxes.

Anna Bligh resigns from Qld parliament

25 March 2012 |

Anna Bligh has announced she will resign from the Queensland parliament, after Labor's annihilation at the ballot box.

Brand Labor’s problems not limited to Qld

25 March 2012 | Tony Walker

The numbers are raw and so, too, are the lessons for Labor federally.

Soul-searching after humiliating defeat

24 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

Everyone thought it was going to be bad, but no one thought it would be quite this dire.

Time for deep reflection in Labor party

24 March 2012 | Tony Walker

Queensland has delivered a stunning election result that will shock the Australian Labor Party across the country.

Qld’s LNP wins in landslide

24 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

The Queensland Liberal National Party has achieved a landslide election victory, reducing the Labor party to potentially seven seats in the state.

Bligh tells it like it is, a virtual obliteration

24 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Bligh tells it like it is, a virtual

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on Friday virtually conceded the Labor government would fall as repercussions started over the negative campaign against Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman.

A 30-metre billboard that mirrors Labor’s woes

24 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | A 30m billboard that mirrors Labor’s woes

A year ago, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh turned and whispered in Parliament to Ashgrove MP Kate Jones that Brisbane lord mayor Campbell Newman planned to contest her seat at the state election.

Last hurrah for a lost cause

24 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Last hurrah for a lost cause

“We’re f---ed,’’ said the Labor identity over a “drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” lunch at a fashionable trattoria in the Brisbane central business district on Friday

LNP set to join conservative bloc

23 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | LNP set to join conservative bloc

The Queensland LNP has vowed to take on the federal Labor government over taxation to grab a larger share of revenue from the resources boom for the state.

Queensland’s boom must be managed well

23 March 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 58 | Queensland’s boom must be managed well

Editorial | The election ­will be crucial in determining how Queensland manages the challenges of a two-speed economy.

Bligh mutiny looms, but Ludwig flies the flag

23 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 15 | Bligh mutiny looms, but Ludwig flies the flag

Senior Labor powerbroker Bill Ludwig has leapt to the defence of Queensland Premier Anna Bligh as she leads the party to what is expected to be its worst electoral result in the state in almost 40 years.

Federal Labor MPs look north in horror

23 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 14 | Federal Labor MPs look north in horror

Walker | History will weigh heavily on the Queensland election for reasons that will not be absent from federal Labor MPs’ calculations.

Tough talk: from one extreme to an Abbott

23 March 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 5 | Tough talk: from one extreme to an Abbott

Kitney | The first parliamentary sitting period for 2012 ended as it began – with Tony Abbott in full war-cry against Julia Gillard’s credibility.

Bob tries to rebuild as bookies pay out

22 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 14 | Bob tries to rebuild as bookies pay out

Former prime minister Bob Hawke said yesterday that Queensland’s Liberal National Party hasn’t shed the attitudes of former conservative premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who ran the state from 1968 to 1987.

Bligh halfway through electorate blitz

22 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has just passed the halfway mark of her commitment to visit 50 electorates in five days.

ALP battles to protect future leaders

22 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 11 | ALP battles to protect future leaders

Labor is working to defend key Brisbane seats to ensure it does not lose its next generation of leaders in a landslide election defeat on Saturday.

Newman promises new boom’s clean sweep

22 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 11 | Promising new boom’s clean sweep

Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman yesterday promised to ensure more Queenslanders enjoyed the benefits of the mining boom if his party won Saturday’s election.

Cool as champagne corks set to pop

22 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 10 | Cool as champagne corks set to pop

Ian Walker is a man on a mission and that is to wrest the bellwether electorate of Mansfield from a Labor minister on Saturday.

Mini tornado can’t stop Queensland campaign

21 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | Mini tornado can’t stop the campaign

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman vowed to support the rebuilding of storm-ravaged Townsville suburbs hit early yesterday morning.

Body language speaks volumes

21 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | Body language speaks volumes

As Campbell Newman swept through North Queensland on Tuesday, he had one key message for LNP supporters: keep up the fight until polling day to ensure victory.

LNP audit ‘a slight on Treasury’

20 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 20 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | LNP audit ‘a slight on Treasury’

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser says the Liberal National Party’s plan to set up a commission of audit into the state’s finances if the party wins office on Saturday is a “disgraceful attack” on the independence of the state Treasury.

Newman defends election promises

20 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 20 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Newman defends election promises

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman has defended the party’s $4 billion in election commitments, saying they were fully funded and would be achieved through budget savings.

My election promises fully funded: Newman

19 March 2012 | Melanie Beeby

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman says all his election promises will be fully funded by savings, while reaffirming his commitment to lower the tax burden on families and business.

LNP might raise taxes to fix debt

19 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 19 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | LNP might raise taxes to fix debt

Queensland Liberal National Party deputy leader Tim Nicholls says he cannot rule out any tax increases, including a rise in coal royalties, if the LNP wins Saturday’s election.

Labor in damage control as LNP set to win

18 March 2012 |

Premier Anna Bligh has talked about forming a healthy opposition as a new opinion poll shows Labor is headed for a devastating defeat at the hands of the Liberal National Party.

Commission clears Newman of wrongdoing

17 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 17 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | CMC clears Newman of wrongdoing

Campbell Newman received a major boost to his election prospects on Friday, when cleared by Queensland’s anti-corruption body of misconduct.

Newman dodges leadership queries

16 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 16 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Newman skirts leader query

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman last night refused to answer questions about who would lead an LNP government if the party won next Saturday’s election but he did not win his seat.

Dunce of mainland states, Queensland rates an ‘F’

15 March 2012 |

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 57 | Dunce of mainland states rates an ‘F’

Queensland’s planning and development assessment processes are the worst in mainland Australia, according to the national Residential Development Council.

Qld housing will be tough fix for election winner

15 March 2012 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 49 | Queensland housing will be tough fix for election winner

Right through weeks of company reports, housing sector leaders pointed to the parlous state of Queensland’s residential market.

Sold out by asset sell-off

15 March 2012 | John Quiggin

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 70 | Sold out by asset sell-off

Queenslanders roundly rejected Anna Bligh’s privatisation program. Now state Labor is set to pay dearly at the polls for its blind insistence.

Newman not worried by CMC donations review

14 March 2012 |

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | Fraser rules out tax rises

Updated | Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman says he’s not worried about a corruption probe into donations to his re-election war chest.

National briefs

14 March 2012 |

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 14 |

The last two years were Australia’s coolest since 2001, but overall the long-term warming trend in temperatures has not changed, research from the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology shows.

Newman claims go nowhere

14 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Newman claims fail to cripple

Premier Anna Bligh admitted she did not have enough evidence on Campbell Newman and donations he received from developers to refer them to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Bligh property move offend councils

13 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 13 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Bligh panels offend big councils

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh’s attack on LNP leader Campbell Newman has extended to two of the state’s biggest councils -Brisbane City and the Gold Coast.

Newman cops it from all sides

13 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 13 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Newman cops it from all sides

The moment Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman announced in March last year he was quitting City Hall to make an audacious bid to become the next QLD premier, state ALP operatives swung into action.

National Briefs

13 March 2012 |

PRINT: 13 March 2012 | PAGE 4 |

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has restated the government’s commitment to Afghanistan after a rogue US soldier went on a pre-dawn shooting spree in a village in the southern Kandahar province.

Flood victims may take legal action: Bligh

12 March 2012 |

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says people have the right to take legal action if the findings of an inquiry open that avenue to them.

Qld Labor proposes development panels

12 March 2012 |

Independent panels will advise the Brisbane and Gold Coast councils on major developments if Labor is re-elected in Queensland.

Wide-brimmed view guides Katter manifesto

12 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 53 | Wide-brimmed view guides Katter manifesto

Bob Katter is sitting under a mango tree outside a diner on Thursday Island’s main street on a blistering day in February doing what comes naturally to Australia’s most eccentric politician, which is to talk – and talk.

Newman will cut family financial ties if he wins office

12 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Newman will cut financial ties

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman says he will cut ties to his family’s financial interests within 90 days if he becomes premier.

Promise and counter-promise mark the Qld contest

12 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Promise and counter-promise mark the contest

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced a new political donations policy as part of her relentless attack on LNP leader Campbell Newman’s family business dealings.

Bligh’s privatisations set better example

12 March 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 54 | Bligh privatisations set better example

Editorial | Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has to be given credit for pushing through a $14 billion privatisation program in 2010 in an attempt to improve the state’s finances and win back its AAA credit rating.

Bligh to take Newman with her

12 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Bligh trying to take opponent with her

Queensland Labor’s increasingly desperate re-election campaign got even more shrill on Sunday. Anna Bligh evoked the ghosts of the Bjelke-Petersen era.

Bligh gets rough as poll nears

12 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Bligh gets rough as poll nears

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has signalled an escalation of Labor’s smear campaign against Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman in the final weeks of the state election campaign.

Qld leaders ‘miss point’ on grog bans

09 March 2012 |

The two major parties are using indigenous alcohol bans as a political hot potato, an Aboriginal group says.

Gillard and Rudd to join Bligh's launch

09 March 2012 |

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says Julia Gillard's presence at Labor's campaign launch will help her bid for re-election.

Monocle’s odd vision

09 March 2012 |

PRINT: 09 March 2012 | PAGE 48 | Monocle’s odd vision

In most unfortunate timing, the globe-trotting yuppy’s journal of record, Monocle, has run an in-depth interview with Australia’s (then) foreign minister Kevin Rudd on all things NATO, Asia and the rest, in its March issue.

LNP man passes porn test

09 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 09 March 2012 | PAGE 5 | LNP man passes porn test

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman yesterday stood by the party’s candidate for the Gold Coast seat of Albert despite him being linked to a soft-porn web site.

Bligh spruiks same-sex unions

08 March 2012 |

Premier Anna Bligh has used an International Women's Day breakfast to trumpet Labor's same-sex civil union reforms, as the man who could repeal them watched on.

Katter bid goes to Appeal Court

08 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 12 | Katter bid goes to Appeal Court

An attempt by maverick Queensland politician Bob Katter to injunct the publication of ballot papers has been referred to a higher court after the Supreme Court in Brisbane found it could not deliberate on the matter.

LNP promises can’t be paid for: Bligh

06 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 06 March 2012 | PAGE 10 | LNP promises can’t be paid for: Bligh

Premier Anna Bligh has called on LNP leader Campbell Newman to release his election costings well before the March 24 election to prove to voters they have the financial credibility to run the state.

Bligh floats $70m swim plan

05 March 2012 |

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 5 | ALP floats

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has promised more than $70 million for free swimming lessons for toddlers if Labor retains power after the Queensland election later this month.

Burke defends reef protection

05 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Burke backs reef protection

A delegation from UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is to visit the export ports of Gladstone and Mackay this week.

Newman joins carbon tax fight

05 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Newman joins carbon tax fight

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman has promised to help repeal the carbon tax if the LNP wins office, saying the state should not squander the benefits of the next mining boom.

Abbott pushes anti-carbon tax line in Qld

05 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 4 | Abbott sells anti-tax

Tony Abbott is taking advantage of Julia Gillard’s absence from the Queensland election campaign and pushing his anti-carbon tax stance in the state.

Bligh gives cash to stimulate tourism

03 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Bligh gives cash to stimulate tourism

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has committed $50 million to boost the state’s beleaguered tourism sector if Labor is re-elected at the March 24 poll.

Orica will face penalty if at fault, says Bligh

02 March 2012 |

Chemicals maker Orica will feel the full force of the law if any wrongdoing is proven after waste water containing high levels of cyanide was discharged into Gladstone Harbour, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says.

Newman deflects donation questions

02 March 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 11 | Newman deflects donation questions

Queensland LNP leader Campbell Newman yesterday continued to distance himself from more than $70,000 in donations received weeks before he signed off on a controversial development.

Newman can’t wait to get down to business

01 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 77 | Newman can’t wait to get down to business

Once he gets over the hurdle of actually winning a seat, Queensland’s premier-in-waiting is determined to be off and running.

LNP’s 100-day plan to reshape state

01 March 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 13 | Newman’s 100-day shape-up

Overhauling the public service, cutting ­waste and streamlining the business approval process are part of QLD Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman’s 100-day plan.

Newman rejects ‘malarkey’ donations claim

29 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 13 | LNP leader rejects ‘malarkey’ donations claim

Queensland LNP leader Campbell Newman has dismissed new allegations linking him to developer donations during his time as Brisbane lord mayor.

The master of staying out of sight

29 February 2012 | Michael Dwyer

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 61 | The master of staying out of sight

Labor’s Mark Arbib was at his most powerful behind the scenes but he became the public face of the party’s dysfunction.

Questions remain on leadership tilt

28 February 2012 | Kris Kempson

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 57 | Queries remain on leadership tilt

While Labor personalities continue to test the records for the number of times “unity” and “unite” can be worked into a statement, two interesting questions remain. Who pushed Kevin Rudd into challenging Julia Gillard? And why did Rudd challenge when it was abundantly clear that he would lose by an embarrassing margin?

Bligh expects helping hands in campaign

28 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Helping hands for Bligh

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she would welcome Kevin Rudd back on the hustings in the state election campaign, despite his crushing defeat in yesterday’s federal Labor leadership ballot.

Ellwood to get NGV job

28 February 2012 | Joe Aston

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Ellwood to

Queensland Art Gallery boss Tony Ellwood looks set to be named the new director of the National Gallery of Victoria.

In quotes | Who said what about the ballot

27 February 2012 |

What was said about the Labor leadership ballot.

Labor rifts won’t heal overnight, says Bligh

27 February 2012 |

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has congratulated Julia Gillard for winning the federal Labor leadership ballot and says the challenge now is to heal the rift in the party.

Wild Rivers laws to be expanded: Bligh

27 February 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | Rivers laws to go further

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has pledged to extend the Labor government’s Wild Rivers laws, which restrict development in sensitive catchment areas of north Queensland.

Bligh loses whoever wins

25 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 45 | Bligh loses whoever wins

The Queensland Premier had enough problems without the federal circus. Now it’s almost impossible for her to win.

Ministers, not faceless men, driving this campaign

25 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Ministers not faceless men

Wayne Swan is leading a small group of cabinet ministers co-ordinating Julia Gillard’s campaign to retain the prime ministership, while Kevin Rudd is relying on advice from long-time Labor strategist Bruce Hawker.

Bligh pledges cash for business ideas

24 February 2012 |

Queenslanders who come up with great ideas will be able to get $100,000 grants under a re-elected Labor government.

Bligh playing victim of Labor woes: Newman

24 February 2012 |

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is desperately trying to paint herself as a victim of federal Labor's leadership war, her opponent says.

Spinning wheel

24 February 2012 |

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 56 | Spinning wheel

Labor strategist Bruce Hawker has taken the Gun for Hire epithet to a whole new level, coming out all hired guns blazing in favour of Kevin Rudd’s not so nascent leadership bid.

Leaders woo voters in NQ

24 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 14 | Leaders woo voters in NQ

The Bligh government is facing losing a swag of seats in North Queensland as the electoral tides moves against the long-term Labor government.

Staying on the sidelines no option

24 February 2012 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Staying on the sidelines no option

Team Rudd will try to win over the Labor caucus by convincing them of their man’s popularity with the electorate, while Team Gillard is confident it will win Monday’s ballot on the basis of her popularity with her colleagues.

Rudd’s electorate not such a safe seat

23 February 2012 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Griffith not so safe anymore

Many an epic tussle has been fought in Kevin Rudd’s east Brisbane electorate of Griffith, but it’s normally between men in white in the famous Gabba cricket ground, rather than a contest for votes.

In quotes | Politicians take sides

23 February 2012 |

Politicians and economists give their take on Monday’s leadership ballot.

Bligh silent on Rudd's chances

23 February 2012 |

The Queensland Premier is refusing to say if Kevin Rudd will win federal Labor's leadership war after he dragged his "good friend" into the dispute.

Bligh tipped to benefit from a Rudd win

23 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | Both sides look to gain the advantage

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she was relieved the federal Labor leadership speculation had come to a head following the resignation of Kevin Rudd.

The People’s Prince rides once again

23 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 5 | The People’s

The Gillard camp has nothing on Kevin Rudd or his media chutzpah when it comes to changing the story line.

Labor tears itself apart

23 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | Labor tears itself apart

Updated | Prime Minister Julia Gillard will address media in Adelaide at 9.30am AEDT on Thursday morning ahead of an expected leadership ballot on Monday, sparked by Kevin Rudd’s dramatic resignation as foreign minister.

Bligh glad Labor saga coming to a head

22 February 2012 |

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says federal Labor must decide who's right to lead the party and the nation, after Kevin Rudd quit as foreign minister.

Qld Labor to invest in kindergartens

22 February 2012 |

Labor would spend around $20 million sprucing up Queensland's kindergartens, Premier Anna Bligh has announced.

LNP ditches wealth fund

22 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 22 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | LNP ditches wealth fund plan

The Queensland Liberal National Party has abandoned plans for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund using future mining royalties and proceeds from the sale of the state’s remaining $3.1 billion stake in QR National.

Candidate wanted to embarrass Labor: Bligh

21 February 2012 |

The Queensland premier says a Labor candidate expelled over a series of homophobic rants deliberately set out to embarrass the party.

All roads lead to Rudd

21 February 2012 | John Black.

PRINT: 21 February 2012 | PAGE 54 | All roads lead to Rudd

It’s simple: more people would vote for the former prime minister than for the present one.

Bligh, Newman target Queensland economy

20 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 8 | Both parties target economy

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman pitched themselves as the most qualified to secure the state’s economic future.

The myth of Rudd’s non-campaign

20 February 2012 | David Crowe

PRINT: 18 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | The myth of Rudd’s non-campaign

Early on in his quest to regain the Labor leadership, Kevin Rudd would turn to fellow caucus members and dismiss the idea of an outright challenge for the job.

Rudd makes pitch to business

20 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | Rudd makes pitch to business

Kevin Rudd has quietly met with key business leaders, rebuilding bridges and promising a new policy dialogue in moves that confirm the foreign minister has been working behind the scenes for a leadership change.

Newman trusts ‘smart’ electorate

19 February 2012 |

Updated | Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman has kicked off his Queensland election campaign promising to get the state “back on track”.

Centre stage, Rudd hits out at Newman

18 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 18 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | Centre stage, Rudd hits out at Newman

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is taking centre stage in the Queensland election campaign, leading the attack on Queensland Liberal National Party Leader Campbell Newman.

QIC chief calls for more asset sales

17 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | QIC chief calls for more asset sales

Queensland Investment Corporation chief executive Doug McTaggart has called on both sides of politics to consider more asset sales to improve the state’s ailing balance sheet.

Bligh refuses to apologise for Campbell comments

16 February 2012 |

Premier Anna Bligh has refused to apologise for revealing opposition leader Campbell Newman’s address in parliament and saying he’d end up in jail.

Bligh and Newman and the FBI

16 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 16 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Bligh and Newman and the FBI

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has launched an extraordinary attack on Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman, saying he would “go to jail” for his financial affairs, which include a company being reviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

LNP refuses to back early surplus

15 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 15 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | LNP refuses to back early surplus

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has renewed her attacks on Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman’s economic credentials in one of the final sittings of parliament before the March 24 poll.

No foreign labour for Qld mines, says LNP

14 February 2012 |

The Liberal National Party will not support any plans to bring in foreign labour to work in Queensland mines, leader Campbell Newman says.

Bligh attacks De Lacy over mining laws

14 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 7 | Bligh attacks De Lacy

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has criticised former Labor treasurer turned mining company director Keith De Lacy for complaining about her government’s mining approval process.

McCabe revels in the Weekly challenge

13 February 2012 | Lisa Murray

PRINT: 13 February 2012 | PAGE 40 | McCabe revels in the Weekly challenge

Far from her early days in television, Helen McCabe has just signed up for another two years running Australia’s most-read magazine.

Bligh launches timely plan for South Bank revamp

13 February 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 13 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Bligh’s bigger, better South Bank, at no cost

An election is just around the corner, so this is a good time to announce plans for expanding a popular precinct in Brisbane at no cost to the voting public.

Brisbane’s South Bank to extend along river: Bligh

12 February 2012 |

An Olympic-sized swimming pool, riverfront parklands plus more shops and restaurants are part of a major expansion plan for Brisbane's South Bank, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says.

Flood report still due on March 16: Bligh

12 February 2012 |

Queensland's floods inquiry is on track to deliver answers about last summer's disaster before voters go to the polls, Premier Anna Bligh says.

Only Newman for LNP

11 February 2012 |

PRINT: 11 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | Only Newman for LNP

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman on Friday refused to buy into the debate about who would lead an LNP government if he does not win his own parliamentary seat.

When it rains it pours

10 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 11 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | When it rains it pours

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser can’t take a trick.

Minister: flood policies to stay high

09 February 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 09 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | Minister says premiums to remain high

Financial Services Bill Shorten has warned flood insurance will remain high for those living in flood-prone areas of south-west Queensland and northern NSW.