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Lanai Scarr

analysis
analysis
‘The great west’Comments
analysis
It was all down to WA and boy, did we deliver

Western Australia was the cherry on top for Labor, likely to deliver a majority Albanese government into power.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
No matter who wins, things will look different on Sunday

On Monday an interesting poll popped into my inbox. Coffee and snack chain Muffin Break says it has done a ‘bean poll’ every election since 2007 that has always predicted the correct winner.

Lanai Scarr

analysis
analysis
Cash splash Comments
analysis
Mark McGowan’s $400 gift for Albo

The Premier and State Treasurer has wanted to play both sides of the fence when it comes to Anthony Albanese vs Scott Morrison.

Lanai Scarr 

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Time to get issues plaguing women on the election agenda

In a bruising political year when the sexism and disadvantage of women has been in the spotlight, it’s disappointing we haven’t seen these issues dominate the rhetoric throughout the four weeks of campaigning.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Is the interest rate time bomb about to go off?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday he wasn’t looking at a potential rate rise through a political lens - but the problem is the rest of Australia might.

Lanai Scarr

analysis
analysis
Big WA launchCommentsPremium
analysis
Only time will tell if voters buy Albo’s claims we matter

Labor’s launch in WA was a moment to show the nation Albanese could be just like Mark McGowan. Here’s how determined the party is to make WA matter more than ever in this Federal election.

Lanai Scarr  Federal Political Editor

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Postal votes to test Morrison’s preference pledge

The arrival of postal votes will be the real kick-off of the election. What will also be tested is Scott Morrison’s pledge not to do any preference deals with Clive Palmer.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Election race: Leaders must do better do win our vote

When the election microscope is turned on, it’s time to know your stuff.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Throwing dirtCommentsPremium
opinion
Why this could be the nastiest Federal election campaign yet

Politics is a brutal business at the best of times. But now the election race is on, it might just rival Married at First Sight for week night viewing. Watch this space, writes Lanai Scarr.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Josh Frydenberg walks the Budget spending tightrope

The weight of the Morrison Government’s fate rests heavily on Josh Frydenberg’s ability to walk the tightrope of spending enough and spending too much. Will he get it right?

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Tragedy of two women exposes sad reality of ALP & Coalition

Spending 20 years with the love of your life seems nowhere near long enough when she’s taken from you prematurely at the age of 52 .

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Federal Election will be a poll on the cost of living

The crisis in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia has led to the price of filling up soaring to more than $2.50 a litre in some parts of the country. For middle-class and low-income families, that bites.

Lanai Scarr

International Women’s DayPremiumThis is how we can help break the gender bias

From the personal to the political, eight of The West’s leading journalists share their views on obliterating sexist barriers.

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Gender bias persists in politics, despite the promises

Edith Cowan was the first female politician in Australia and only the second in the entire British Empire. But during her time in Parliament, she wasn’t as fondly revered or even given basic workplace equity.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Poll fight: ScoMo, Albo to duke for votes on WA’s doorstep

The election starter gun has been well and truly fired, and WA will be the battleground over the coming week.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Landmark apologyCommentsPremium
opinion
Ministers didn’t put aside 38 minutes for assault victims

Just thirty-eight minutes. That’s how long it took Parliament to get through a statement of acknowledgement and five speeches on harassment faced by staff - but some members couldn’t even make it to the end.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Leaders must stop the rot

In the Prime Minister’s courtyard in Parliament House in Canberra, the timber beams buttressing the sides used for trellising greenery have had to be replaced. The beams were rotting.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
opinion
Poll predicts election bloodbath, but should we listen?

Newspolls have often sounded the death knell for prime ministers. The poll has been enough of a justification to roll Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Island within an islandCommentsPremium
opinion
How McGowan’s border could help Federal Labor

WA has several key seats up for grabs but with the party leaders locked out for most of last year, the pitch for WA was to happen this year. Cue last week’s press conference.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Political rollercoasterCommentsPremium
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Lanai Scarr’s report card: Would you give Albo an A?

As we head into an election year, Labor will be hoping it can turn the tide and go from Opposition to government. Who are the top performers?

Lanai Scarr

Lanai ScarrCommentsPremiumGrading the Government: Who gets top marks?

The end of year report card is always a favourite within the political bubble. It’s a chance to sit back and assess the year that was and how everyone performed. This year, much like 2020, was a bruising year.

Lanai Scarr

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrCommentsPremium
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Joyce’s booze gag gaffe: Inside Coalition’s Jenkins meeting

Just a day after Canberra’s sordid, boozy culture was laid bare in a staggering report, a Coalition meeting to address its findings missed the mark completely.

opinion
opinion
Lanai ScarrPremium
opinion
True leadership needed to fix Canberra’s appalling behaviour

In my 11 years reporting from the frontline of the nation’s centre of democracy, the 46th Parliament has been by far one of the toughest emotionally.

Lanai Scarr

analysis
analysis
Election blowCommentsPremium
analysis
The moment Christian Porter wanted to pull the pin

Politics is a brutal sport, Christian Porter is the prime example of that - and he was likely talked into waiting longer to announce his resignation.

Lanai Scarr