menu_open Columnists
Michelle Grattan

Michelle Grattan

The Conversation

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Would Labor support the Iran war in opposition?

Would Labor support the Iran war in opposition?

When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed federal parliament on Thursday, his well-crafted speech had one gaping hole. It did not mention the...

latest 4

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan

Would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

Would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed federal parliament on Thursday his well-crafted speech had one gaping hole. It did not mention the...

yesterday 10

The Examiner

Michelle Grattan

Would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

Would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed federal parliament on Thursday his well-crafted speech had one gaping hole. It did not mention the...

yesterday 10

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Politics with Michelle Grattan: South Australian election special

Politics with Michelle Grattan: South Australian election special

Labor is expected to be returned in power in a landslide. But the election is also the first test of One Nation’s ability to turn its surging...

previous day 6

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Grattan on Friday: would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

Grattan on Friday: would Labor be supporting this war if it were in opposition?

In 2003, Labor was strongly against the Iraq war. But more than 20 years later and in power, Albanese has had to do a different sort of political...

previous day 8

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Farrer byelection will be on May 9

Farrer byelection will be on May 9

The byelection for the regional New South Wales seat of Farrer, vacated by former opposition leader Sussan Ley, will be held on May 9.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Mark Carney highlights areas of Australian‑Canadian cooperation as middle powers

Mark Carney highlights areas of Australian‑Canadian cooperation as middle powers

Addressing the federal parliament, Carney once again pressed his now familiar argument for middle power activism as the old world order disintegrated.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Commercial flights will be your best way out of Middle East, Wong tells stranded Australians

Commercial flights will be your best way out of Middle East, Wong tells stranded Australians

The government has deployed six “crisis response” teams to the Middle East to help deal with the overload caused by the huge number of Australians...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Leaked election review slates Dutton while highlighting Liberals’ longer term intractable problems

View from The Hill: Leaked election review slates Dutton while highlighting Liberals’ longer term intractable problems

The Liberal Party’s federal executive decided on Friday to bury its election review. But it was unable to cremate it.

03.03.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Liberals’ former immigration spokesman Paul Scarr crosses floor to support Hanson Muslim censure

Liberals’ former immigration spokesman Paul Scarr crosses floor to support Hanson Muslim censure

The Senate chose to censor Senator Pauline Hanson over her comments on Muslims.

02.03.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Bipartisan support for US attack on Iran, but Greens say it is ‘abhorrent’

Bipartisan support for US attack on Iran, but Greens say it is ‘abhorrent’

The Albanese government has backed the American strike on Iran, while confirming Australia was not given prior warning.

02.03.2026 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Bipartisan support for US attack on Iran, but Greens says it is ‘abhorrent’

Bipartisan support for US attack on Iran, but Greens says it is ‘abhorrent’

The Albanese government has backed the American strike on Iran, while confirming Australia was not given prior warning.

01.03.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

PM celebrates caucus unity, but does have a cost

PM celebrates caucus unity, but does have a cost

In the furore about the fate of the ISIS brides, one would have expected we might have heard some strong advocates from the Labor left in caucus...

27.02.2026 6

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Ley formally resigns, tells Taylor it’s ‘vital’ he holds Farrer

View from The Hill: Ley formally resigns, tells Taylor it’s ‘vital’ he holds Farrer

Deposed Liberal leader Sussan Ley formally resigned from parliament on Friday – and sent a blunt challenge to her successor, Angus Taylor.

27.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Albanese celebrates caucus unity, but it can come at a cost

Albanese celebrates caucus unity, but it can come at a cost

In the current furore about the fate of the ISIS brides, one would have expected we might have heard some strong advocates from the Labor left in...

27.02.2026 8

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Grattan on Friday: Albanese celebrates caucus unity, but it can come at a cost

Grattan on Friday: Albanese celebrates caucus unity, but it can come at a cost

The ISIS brides story is the latest instance of how the Labor caucus, and particularly the left, has mostly taken a vow of public silence.

26.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Modern multicultural Australia must strengthen the ties that bind our diverse groups: Julian Hill

Modern multicultural Australia must strengthen the ties that bind our diverse groups: Julian Hill

In a speech on Wednesday to the McKell Institute Julian Hill says progressives shouldn’t fail to acknowledge that concerns over migration are real.

25.02.2026 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Geoffrey Watson calls for a royal commission on the CFMEU scandal

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Geoffrey Watson calls for a royal commission on the CFMEU scandal

The anti-corruption expert says Victoria’s Labor government was willing to ‘deal with the devil’ on its Big Build projects – at the cost of...

25.02.2026 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Chris Minns makes sense on ISIS brides’ children, while opposition adds to scaremongering

Chris Minns provides clarity on the issue of ISIS brides while the government and opposition tie themselves in knots.

23.02.2026 250

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Can Taylor get beyond slogans on immigration

20.02.2026 7

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan

Can Angus Taylor get beyond slogans to craft a sound immigration policy?

This week we pressed the rewind button on the Pauline tape, back to Hanson maxing out with inflammatory statements about Muslims, attracting a blaze...

20.02.2026 10

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Can Angus Taylor get beyond slogans to craft a sound immigration policy?

This week we pressed the rewind button on the Pauline tape, back to Hanson maxing out with inflammatory statements about Muslims, attracting a blaze...

20.02.2026 9

The Examiner

Michelle Grattan

Can Angus Taylor get beyond slogans to craft a sound immigration policy?

This week we pressed the rewind button on the Pauline tape, back to Hanson maxing out with inflammatory statements about Muslims, attracting a blaze...

20.02.2026 10

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Grattan on Friday: Can Angus Taylor get beyond slogans to craft a sound immigration policy?

The Coalition, eyeing voters lost to One Nation, is demanding the ISIS brides and their families never get here. While the government plays defense.

19.02.2026 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Politics with Michelle Grattan: New Liberal Deputy Jane Hume on why she wants a woman contesting every seat

The newly installed Liberal deputy leader talks about the turnaround in her fortunes, the spectre of WorkChoices, and why she doesn’t believe in...

19.02.2026 30

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Ley leaves Taylor with his first tricky hurdle

After she was trounced in Friday’s Liberal ballot, Sussan Ley addressed the media with a speech that was gracious in defeat, but came with an...

13.02.2026 80

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan

How did the Liberals’ first female leader find herself on the mat in under a year?

Sussan Ley’s rapid collapse as Liberal leader reflects her own limitations – but also a party struggling with factional dominance, ideological...

13.02.2026 10

Pearls and Irritations

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Sussan Ley leaves Angus Taylor his first hurdle, and it’s a high one

Sussan Ley addressed the media with a speech that was gracious in defeat, but came with an announcement new Liberal leader Angus Taylor would not have...

13.02.2026 90

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Sussan Ley leaves Angus Taylor his first hurdle, and it's a high one

13.02.2026 5

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Angus Taylor defeats Sussan Ley by hefty margin of 34-17 as Liberal leader

Angus Taylor has defeated Sussan Ley for Liberal leader by a hefty margin of 34-17, giving him strong authority.

13.02.2026 250

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Flood of frontbench resignations as Liberals prepare for Friday leadership showdown

A bevy of Liberal frontbenchers supporting Angus Taylor’s leadership challenge resigned their positions on Thursday, ahead of Friday’s 9am party vote.

12.02.2026 2

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Grattan on Friday: How did the Liberals’ first female leader find herself on the mat in under a year?

Sussan Ley always seemed set to be only an interim Liberal leader but could Angus Taylor suffer the same fate?

12.02.2026 2

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Angus Taylor looks like a leader on paper – but the job is bigger than that

12.02.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Angus Taylor quits frontbench, declaring Sussan Ley can’t lead Liberal Party ‘as it needs to be led’

The move paves the way for a leadership contest in the next few days.

11.02.2026 7

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Who is Angus Taylor and could he cut it as opposition leader?

Angus Taylor has all the on-paper qualifications to be opposition leader. But will he be able to perform?

11.02.2026 6

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Barry on why a new Liberal leader isn’t a quick fix

What do Australians in focus groups say about the Liberal Party right now? “They just kind of laugh,” the former Liberal staffer turned pollster says.

10.02.2026 6

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory

After a horror poll last night it is becoming increasingly likely that Angus Taylor will challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership

09.02.2026 8

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: will disastrous Newspoll trigger Taylor challenge to Ley, despite Coalition patch-up ?

Despite the Coalition reforming, heavy pressure still remains on Sussan Ley as a new poll makes for dire reading for the Liberal party.

08.02.2026 4

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Chalmers faces big test as he looks to May budget

07.02.2026 6

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Angus Taylor circles Ley, as Liberals watch polling and negotiations with Nats

Sunday’s Newspoll is being keenly watched by federal Liberals as leadership aspirant Angus Taylor contemplates the timing of a challenge to Sussan...

06.02.2026 2

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Jim Chalmers' ticker is about to be tested as he tacks towards the May budget

06.02.2026 4

The Examiner

Michelle Grattan

Jim Chalmers' ticker is about to be tested as he tacks towards the May budget

06.02.2026 3

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Grattan on Friday: Jim Chalmers’ ticker is about to be tested as he tacks towards the May budget

The next few months may be the most crucial Jim Chalmers has faced as treasurer.

05.02.2026 5

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Barnaby Joyce on getting on with Pauline Hanson and One Nation’s rise

Joyce says ‘I’m not going to be wearing a burqa’ like the One Nation leader – but his relationship with her is stronger than his ‘bitter’...

04.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Hanson nabs ex-Liberal for One Nation’s real time test in SA election

The outcome of the South Australian election is all but decided, but Cory Bernardi will be leading the One Nation charge to turn good polling into...

03.02.2026 9

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

View from The Hill: Littleproud and Ley turn on the music for another attempt at the two step

Nationals Leader David Littleproud easily saw off a spill motion against him as he and Sussan Ley plan to meet to discuss restoring the Coalition.

02.02.2026 6

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Hastie pulls out but Liberal leadership battle remains in flux

31.01.2026 3

The Examiner

Michelle Grattan

Hastie pulls out but Liberal leadership battle remains in flux

31.01.2026 4

Canberra Times

Michelle Grattan

Libs’ ‘old bull-young bull’ tussling for leadership – but neither likely to suit the times

Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor both want to run against Sussan Ley. But the two right-wingers cannot afford to split the conservative vote on which...

31.01.2026 9

InDaily

Michelle Grattan

Hastie pulls out but Liberal leadership battle remains in flux

30.01.2026 8

The New Daily

Michelle Grattan