February
Union officials appointed to steer Fair Work under Labor laws
The Albanese government has appointed four more union-aligned officials to the workplace tribunal as it gears up for the federal election.
Labor denies rushing pre-election citizenship ceremonies
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says Labor is cutting lengthy backlogs by holding large-scale citizenship ceremonies just weeks before the federal election.
Galleries ‘too afraid of donors’ to speak against Biennale backflip
A week on from Khaled Sabsabi’s sensational sacking from the Venice Biennale over a Hezbollah-linked work, there has been silence from major arts institutions – until now.
Ex-union boss Setka taken to court for threatening AFL umpire
Workplace watchdog launches legal action against former CFMEU secretary for allegedly trying to coerce the AFL into sacking its head of umpires.
Foreign murderers, sex offenders to be resettled in Nauru
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed the deal between Australia and the Pacific island nation, but not how many people would be deported or the deal’s cost.
Government accused of caving in to pressure in dumping Biennale team
Khaled Sabsabi, who had previously depicted a Hezbollah leader has also criticised Islamic State, but his invite to the Venice event next year has been ripped up.
Australia dumps Biennale artist in late-night crisis
Khaled Sabsabi had previously depicted a Hezbollah leader while also protesting Islamic State - but his invite to Venice Biennale next year has been ripped up.
A worker said one negative word to a customer. AI dobbed him in
A new report on AI’s effect on jobs in the finance industry found “sentiment bots” were analysing worker conversations with customers.
Albanese buckles to Dutton over anti-Jewish hate laws
Under pressure over rising antisemitism, the government has agreed to Coalition demands for mandatory minimum sentences to win support for hate crimes laws.
Call to extend DeepSeek ban beyond government devices
Cybersecurity analysts say critical infrastructure providers should also be ordered not to use the Chinese-developed artificial intelligence platform.
Labor bans DeepSeek from government devices
Australia has banned Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek from government devices over national security concerns.
January
‘Devil you know or one you don’t want to’: The fight for Sydney’s west
Multicultural communities are angry at Labor’s response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, but independents face an uphill battle to unseat two senior Labor MPs in Sydney’s west.
Labor splurges cash in five-hour blitz of Tasmania
There has been a whirlwind round of funding announcements as the prime minister and three ministers covered Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Flinders Island.
December 2024
Backdoor overseas student caps will ‘damage Australia’s reputation’
Under Labor’s new plan, visa applications for overseas students would be put on a go-slow once their intended university hits 80 per cent of its proposed cap.
Taskforce better late than never, but the damage has been done
It feels like the government has again underestimated the import of a serious event and is playing catch-up, which doesn’t help a prime minister fighting a perception of weakness.
Tradies to join yoga instructors on core migration skills list
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the federal government was moving to address critical shortages, including in new home construction.
November 2024
Labor struggles down the last stretch
The Albanese government’s numbers don’t add up for voters as the election looms.
Migration at record highs as political pressure builds
Overseas students, New Zealanders and backpackers continue to flock to Australia, inflating net migration numbers to historical highs.
Ransomware reporting rules aim to protect business
Labor is moving forward with major new cybersecurity laws that have limited-use provisions to stop regulators and law enforcement being informed of some payments.
Labor scrambles for new laws after High Court ruling on detainees
The opposition says the court’s ruling that ankle bracelets and curfews are unconstitutional was an “embarrassing loss” for the Albanese government, which is rushing to introduce new legislation.