January
- Exclusive
- Democracy
Down cudgels: Baird and Weatherill push for more civility in politics
The 2025 election campaign has begun with insults on both sides of politics. These two former premiers want a better political discourse.
- Ronald Mizen
March 2024
- Opinion
- Hobart
State polls position Albanese for a second term
Polling booths around the country show Labor’s support base is growing enough for another narrow federal win.
- John Black
February 2024
Battler for the underdog on being the department of last resort
South Australia has long been a leader in innovative social policy and services. After a series of leadership roles in Victoria and SA, Sandy Pitcher wants her staff to take pride in being the place the most vulnerable can turn to.
- Tom Burton
April 2023
Julia Gillard-led inquiry calls for three-year-olds to do preschool
A royal commission headed by Julia Gillard into early childhood education has recommended universal preschool be extended to all South Australian three-year-olds.
- Tim Dornin
May 2022
Forrest gets the gang back together
Is the iron ore mogul attempting to relive the energy wars of 2018 entirely within the various arms of his empire?
- Myriam Robin
March 2022
As Wong and Pyne flounder, Farrell ascends
Don Farrell’s second ascendancy is all the more notable for the recent fortunes of the state’s other major political identities.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
December 2021
- Opinion
- The AFR View
SA must hold its nerve on the border
With a double-jabbed rate of 82 per cent in South Australia, there is no evidence so far to justify an overreaction to the emergence of the more infectious omicron variant.
- The AFR View
Concerns Adelaide high school reunion may be a COVID-19 super-spreader
SA Premier Steven Marshall says ‘you can’t keep it out’ after SA recorded 18 cases, including former premier Jay Weatherill.
- Simon Evans and Finbar O'Mallon
October 2021
South Australian Liberals in turmoil as defector takes key role
A midnight coup in SA’s parliament resulted in defector MP Dan Cregan seizing the Speaker’s role, unleashing factional turmoil.
- Simon Evans
April 2021
- Opinion
- Childcare
Upping the budget ante on childcare
The Morrison government is facing pressure from unions to business to greatly boost its contribution to childcare costs as part of a more women-friendly budget.
- Jennifer Hewett
February 2021
Parliament plays catch-up with the rest of society
The events of this week have highlighted just how quickly the government’s fortunes can run off the rails and how the political prism is alive and well.
- Phillip Coorey
January 2021
Malcolm Turnbull, Sam Mostyn, Sue Cato lead Australia Day honours
The former prime minister joined the banking boss and PR supremo as the latest recipients of Australia’s top honours – but there was still a hint of controversy surrounding Margaret Court’s award.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2020
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Reform window will soon open, but will anyone jump through?
An election-free period from March next year offers the Morrison government a rare opportunity to push on economic reform – if it's brave enough to try.
- Phillip Coorey
Australia to be relatively poll free for next 18 months
Next calendar year promises to be almost devoid of election politics after Scott Morrison hosed down the prospect of an early poll, making a date in 2022 more likely.
- Phillip Coorey
August 2020
Forrests say childcare beats construction as bang-for-buck stimulus
Andrew and Nicola Forrest want an overhaul of childcare as part of the multibillion-dollar economic stimulus packages being rolled out in the wake of COVID-19.
- Brad Thompson
June 2020
New Queensland gas royalty scheme more 'transparent'
Gas producers are pleased the Queensland government is dumping a complicated scheme for determining royalty payments.
- Jenny Wiggins
May 2020
States to back permanent national cabinet – with caution
Some state leaders have warned Scott Morrison that attacks on them by his ministers could threaten the new era of cooperation.
- Phillip Coorey
February 2020
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Why the NSW Treasurer is pushing reform uphill
Experts agree that change is needed to make Australia's federation more efficient. But most politicians are aware voters are deeply suspicious.
- Jennifer Hewett
December 2019
Twiggy Forrest lures ex-SA Premier Jay Weatherill to WA
Jay Weatherill will become CEO of the Thrive by Five early education arm and report to a former NAB executive at the Minderoo Foundation.
- Simon Evans and Julie-anne Sprague
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
The PM's time out underscores the summer storms of politics
Voters often change their view of politics during their long days off. That's made the optics of Scott Morrison's early break even more tricky.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey