This Month
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.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Antisemitism
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.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Skills shortage
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.
- Tom McIlroy and Michael Read
November
- Opinion
- Anthony Albanese
Labor struggles down the last stretch
The Albanese government’s numbers don’t add up for voters as the election looms.
- Jennifer Hewett
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.
- Updated
- Julie Hare and Gus McCubbing
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.
- Tom McIlroy
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.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
October
- Exclusive
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Palestinian envoy urges Australian Muslims not to punish Labor
As Muslim political groups mobilise support for independent candidates, Palestine’s de facto ambassador says the government deserves credit.
- Andrew Tillett
Israel-Gaza war becomes an election minefield for Labor
The emergence of Muslim community independents is a threat to electorates that Labor has held for generations, but the party is more worried about the inner-city Greens.
- Ronald Mizen
New laws to force business to beef up cyber protection
The federal government will give itself new powers allowing it to intervene when businesses are hit by a cyberattack or to prevent one.
- Andrew Tillett
No one should mourn slain Hezbollah chief: PM
A political row over Australian support for terror group Hezbollah is deepening.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Where middle Australia meets the Middle East
Israel’s push into Lebanon ensures a greater fraying of any complacency about this country’s claims to enjoy enduring social cohesion over generations of immigrants.
- Jennifer Hewett
September
Pro-Hezbollah protesters could evade punishment
The Albanese government is under pressure to take a hard line on supporters of Hezbollah following protest rallies at the weekend.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Building Bad
Labor says CFMEU situation is under control. But look on the streets
The CFMEU rallies are the obvious signs of turmoil behind the scenes as a government-appointed administrator struggles to deal with union threats.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Cyber Summit
ASIC readies to wield a big stick against boards lax on cybersecurity
The regulator is talking about investigating directors who have been remiss in guarding against hackers. Not everyone thinks that’s the best approach.
- Paul Smith
Why John Mullen wishes he’d paid a cyber ransom
When hackers targeted Qantas chairman John Mullen’s private maritime museum, he didn’t pay the ransom out of principle.
- Tess Bennett
Regulators warn cyber reforms won’t provide immunity from prosecution
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has outlined changes that would provide some cover for companies to provide more information to agencies after a cyberattack.
- Tess Bennett
- Exclusive
- Cyber Summit
Business to get cyber ‘safe harbour’ protections
New laws will mean companies cannot be punished based on data they share with authorities while trying to recover from cyberattacks.
- Paul Smith
August
- Exclusive
- Immigration
CFMEU rout could pave way for foreign tradies to ease housing crunch
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender and business leaders want the Albanese government to speed up visa approvals for workers to build more homes in Australia.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Anthony Albanese
Dutton and Albanese ignore ASIO warning to tone down Gaza brawl
Peter Dutton sees an advantage in keeping up the pressure on Anthony Albanese over visas for Gaza refugees, accusing him of making the country less safe.
- Jennifer Hewett