Michelle Grattan

Michelle Grattan is one of Australia's most respected political journalists. She has been a member of the Canberra parliamentary press gallery for more than 40 years, during which time she has covered all the most significant stories in Australian politics.
She was the former editor of The Canberra Times, was Political Editor of The Age and has been with the Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Michelle currently has a dual role with an academic position at the University of Canberra and as Associate Editor (Politics) and Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation.
In her role at the University of Canberra, Michelle is teaching, working on research projects in politics and political communication, as well as providing public commentary and strategic advice.
She is the author, co-author and editor of several books and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2004 for her long and distinguished service to Australian journalism.

gig economy
Opinion

Labor’s industrial relations policy is good for gig workers but what about small business?

- February 10, 2021 4 MIN READ

Anthony Albanese will risk a backlash from employers when he releases an industrial relations policy promising a Labor government would substantially increase the legal rights and protections for Australians in insecure work, writes Michelle Grattan. Wednesday’s policy unveiling will ensure industrial relations is a major political battleground in coming months, with the opposition already declaring… Read more »

JobTrrainer
Opinion

6 issues on Scott Morrison’s mind this summer

- December 23, 2020 5 MIN READ

When he ended 2019 amid literal and political smoke, it would have seemed inconceivable Scott Morrison could finish 2020 on a high. Or that he’d have reached there on the back of Australia’s worst downturn since the Depression. Morrison learned from his mistakes of last summer, about how he needed to adapt his own style,… Read more »

News

Listen: Two views on increasing the super contribution

- November 27, 2020 2 MIN READ

The increase in the compulsory superannuation contribution, legislated to rise next July from 9.5% to 10%, is being fiercely debated following the release of the retirement income report. In this podcast we hear the views of Brendan Coates, Director of the Household Finances Program at the Grattan Institute and Greg Combet, former Labor minister, and… Read more »

Opinion

The economy, climate change and China: what could a Biden presidency mean for Australia

- November 6, 2020 4 MIN READ

Joe Hockey, former Australian ambassador to the United States who’s now in business there, came under sharp attack for some ill-informed comments about the high Democrat vote in Washington, DC. Despite this faux pas, Hockey’s description of the American system as a dog’s breakfast – with states, counties and even some cities having responsibility for… Read more »

News

Morrison government’s message to Daniel Andrews: ‘open faster’

- September 28, 2020 4 MIN READ

Daniel Andrews’ Sunday announcement of some modest steps out of lockdown will bring both relief and reassurance to many Victorians, but frustration to those who think he should move faster. PM wants Melbourne restrictions eased sooner Certainly, the Morrison government wants the state to take bigger strides. As the federal government finalises next week’s budget,… Read more »

News

Insolvency laws for Australian small businesses are being changed to help increase their chances of surviving

- September 24, 2020 3 MIN READ

The Morrison government will make sweeping changes to the insolvency system to improve the chances of saving small businesses hit by the pandemic. The reforms – which are described as the most significant for three decades – will cover three quarters of businesses currently subject to insolvency, almost all of which have less than 20… Read more »