October 8 – 14, 2022

“Anthony Albanese understands the power of symbolism. He has carefully cultivated signals that women will be front and centre of his government’s agenda, particularly its economic one. From the gender balance of participants and speakers at its jobs and skills summit, to the formation of a Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, and the embrace of gender-responsive budgeting, there can be no criticism that women have gone unnoticed by the new government. The challenge for the prime minister is to marry the power of symbolism with real policy action.”

“Deep in the bunker that is federal Parliament House’s cabinet room, the Albanese government’s economic brains trust spent much of Tuesday strategising about Australia’s response to what the treasurer calls the ‘gathering storm clouds in the global economy’. The expenditure review committee is chaired by the prime minister himself.”

“As the nation battled the pandemic, one of the most conscientious commitments of the Morrison government was its extensive support, including provision of a RAAF plane, for Mathias Cormann’s campaign to become secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Morrison initially proposed the job to Cormann. A team was set up for his campaign and more than eight people were appointed to it, at taxpayers’ expense. Morrison made 55 phone calls to world leaders pushing Cormann for the role.”