Today
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Peter Dutton is not Donald Trump. He can’t afford to be
The opposition leader’s role in delivering marriage equality should be a reminder that he is not an arch-conservative, as a growing narrative by his detractors suggests.
- 1 hr ago
- Phillip Coorey
This Month
Offer to exempt judges from super tax hike not enough for Senate
The chances of the government passing its tax hike on $3 million-plus super accounts before the election remains slim at best.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Online gambling
PM speed-dated TV, sports bosses before U-turn on gambling ad ban
In a 95-minute period on August 30, Anthony Albanese spoke with the country’s major sporting and TV bosses about his draft gambling ad policy.
- Ronald Mizen
November 2024
- Opinion
- Federal election
Campaign finance laws could reduce not increase political competition
The community independents are right that this legislation is too important to be rushed through parliament in the final two sitting weeks.
- Richard Holden
Palmer set to challenge Albanese donation plans in court
Labor designed its plan for new political donations rules to withstand a constitutional challenge, but the billionaire miner says it is designed to rig elections.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2024
- Exclusive
- Online gambling
NRL, AFL personally lobbied Anthony Albanese against gambling ad ban
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NRL chairman Peter V’landys have been singing from the same songbook when it comes to gambling advertising. New details suggest why.
- Ronald Mizen
September 2024
True blue dilemma: what makes a business Australian?
As the Albanese government prepares to throw billions of dollars at its signature Made in Australia scheme, there is no agreed definition on what makes an Australian business.
- Tom Burton
Urgent laws needed to ban AI election fakes
AI-generated fake videos showing political leaders banning gambling advertising have prompted the government to seek the advice of the Electoral Commission.
- Tom Burton
August 2024
Chalmers rejects Keating, crossbench criticisms of super tax hike
Jim Chalmers has rejected criticism by Paul Keating and parliamentary crossbenchers over his proposal to hike taxes on high-value superannuation accounts.
- Phillip Coorey
Aviation white paper arrives late, and lacks action on competition
More delayed than a flight from Sydney to Melbourne, the white paper lets the airlines off the hook.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Coalition holds trump card in gambling debate
If the government wants to limit sports betting ads, the Coalition is the only realistic source of support.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Gambling
Gambling ad ban MPs to go over Rowland’s head and lobby PM direct
The direct approach over the head of the communications minister illustrates growing frustration in Labor ranks over the party’s position on gambling advertising.
- Ronald Mizen and Sam Buckingham-Jones
Independents tell Greens to get out of the way on housing bill
Allegra Spender and David Pocock say Labor’s stalled housing bills should urgently pass the Senate, provided the government agrees to a series of amendments.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2024
- Opinion
- Superannuation
Why the $3m super tax has turned into a mess
It may seem hard to argue against making people with high superannuation balances pay more tax, but implementing it is a dog’s breakfast.
- John Kehoe
June 2024
Spender, Pocock join forces against $3m super tax grab
The teal independent and the crossbench senator are working to stop the government taxing unrealised gains in its plans for large superannuation balances.
- Phillip Coorey
Labor senator Fatima Payman crosses the floor over Palestine
The first-term Labor senator has avoided expulsion from the ALP after voting with the Greens to recognise Palestinian statehood.
- Tom McIlroy
Pocock, Tink push for 10-year housing and homelessness plan in law
Independent ACT senator David Pocock and teal MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink want a 10-year housing and homelessness plan enshrined in legislation to create certainty.
- Ronald Mizen
May 2024
Plibersek’s new environment laws friendless
Business, conservationists, the Greens and key crossbenchers have all criticised Labor’s plans for a new Environment Protection Agency.
- Tom McIlroy
April 2024
- Opinion
- Tax reform
Negative gearing is not a rort or a tax concession
Negative gearing is said to single-handedly be responsible for Australia’s housing crisis. But it is a principled, fair and efficient feature of any tax system.
- Steven Hamilton
Agents orange: inside parliament’s battle of the hall passes
Crossbenchers are the focus of everyone with a stake in contentious legislation. No wonder David Pocock has had enough.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin