Our Journalists

Samantha MaidenNational political editor

Samantha Maiden is the political editor for news.com.au. She has also won three Walkleys for her coverage of federal politics including the Gold Walkley in 2021. She was also previously awarded the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, Kennedy Awards Journalist of the Year and Press Gallery Journalist of the Year. A press gallery veteran, she has covered federal politics for more than 20 years.

@samanthamaiden

Samantha Maiden

Latest

Federal Election

Liberals pledge to scale back welcome to country ceremonies

‘Sick of it’: Libs’ Welcome to Country move

Sad scenes at the Shrine of Remembrance on Anzac Day and a controversy in the NRL last night have reignited the Welcome to Country debate.

ExclusiveFederal Election

Anzac Day controversy for Albo’s star

New social media posts have been unearthed from the Labor candidate exposed for sharing doctored images of Peter Dutton wearing a fake Nazi uniform.

EXCLUSIVEFederal Election

Aussie voters offer cheeky retort to Independent MP

‘Nice haircut!’: Savage act after Teal’s sex joke

A prominent Independent who was forced to apologise for making a sexualised joke to a teenager has copped it in a big way.

EXCLUSIVEFederal Election

‘Not a one-off’: Dutton responds to Nazi post

Peter Dutton has broken his silence over a meme of him dressed as a Nazi posted by an ALP opponent.

Federal Election

‘MAGA’: Liberal volunteer mirrors Trump slogan

‘MAGA’ catch cries at Aus polling stations

Video has emerged of Trump-like slogans being spouted by a Liberal Party volunteer at a NSW pre poll site.

Opinion

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION BUS. DAY 18 15/04/2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In the TAS.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister Katy Gallagher (peach jacket), and LaborÃs candidate for Lyons, Rebecca White (black jacket), visit the Bridgewater Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the electorate of Lyons today, joined by Dr Mark Baldock.Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Maiden: The thing that Albo loves to brandish could be his downfall

The thing that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been travelling the length and breadth of Australia brandishing proudly could actually be his undoing, writes Samantha Maiden.

EXCLUSIVEFederal Election