Peter Kennedy

Referendum fails to engage

20-May-2013

MAKING predictions in politics is fraught with risk. One prediction, however, can be made with confidence - the referendum on September 14 to recognise local government in the Constitution will fail.

RARELY do two budgets - Tuesday's federal budget, which was the last before an election, and the August state budget, which will be the first after an election - send such conflicting messages. You could be excused for thinking they relate to different countries.

Crucial pre-election budget

Peter Kennedy

06-May-2013

The last thing we need ahead of the federal election is the major parties promising to outspend one another, but that's probably what we'll get

Gillard the farmers’ friend

Peter Kennedy

29-Apr-2013

The prime minister's aid package for farmers has carried the day when compared to the Barnett government's more modest offering.

Winner takes all is bad for WA

Peter Kennedy

22-Apr-2013

WA could lose out in the long run, with a likely incoming Abbott government paying less attention to a state perceived to be in the bag politically.

Education move too smart by half

Peter Kennedy

15-Apr-2013

With WA having been short-changed in terms of education funding, it's clear the federal government is focused on shoring up electoral support elsewhere.

Mugged by financial reality

Peter Kennedy

11-Apr-2013

Get ready for some belt tightening in the next state budget. The fact that it will be introduced in August, three months later than usual, will provide only temporary respite, with all the signs suggesting there won't be much extra money being thrown around.