May
Nuclear fantasy gone but renewables reality remains
Labor was able to bury the Coalition’s plans for a nuclear energy future. But now the high costs of Australia’s energy challenge are coming back into focus.
‘I don’t think John Howard has met these Nats’
This week’s stunning split in the Coalition has been building for a decade and insiders blame the Nationals, who have become a party of protest.
Albanese resets the board for a high-stakes political game
The prime minister says he is confident he has the right people in the right ministerial roles as he shrugs off any criticism about his new team.
Albanese starts fixing, the Coalition starts breaking
Anthony Albanese has put two of his best ministers in charge of his biggest problems. Meanwhile, the change to the Coalition’s internal ratio adds to its woes.
You thought the election campaign was nuts? This week took the cake
Anthony Albanese watches ministers get shot down, Angus Taylor takes the break-glass option, Matt Canavan jumps into the ring – and then there’s the Greens!
January
Follow Trump’s lead on gender choices: Coalition MPs
Australia should follow Donald Trump’s moves to recognise only two sexes – male and female – say prominent opposition MPs Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan.
Coalition leaves us stuck playing politics on climate
Readers’ letters on emissions reporting, Scott Morrison at Donald Trump’s party, the bugging of East Timor by John Howard’s government, the housing crisis and polling.
November 2024
Coalition MPs to cross the floor on social media ban
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was forced to confirm that platforms would not be able to compel users to hand over sensitive identification documents.
Banks face new levy to keep rural branches open
Banks would pay a levy of up to tens of millions dollars each a year if they fail to keep a large enough presence in regional and rural areas.
July 2024
Sydney power restaurant hosts another Rinehart dinner
Australia’s richest resident gathered political and non-political friends at the Blue Angel.
May 2024
Raise bank levy and force AusPost deals, branch closure probe says
The government should build a new publicly owned bank to service regional towns and increase the major bank levy, a Senate inquiry has found.
Bank users face extra $370m in fees to keep rural branches open
The costings come as a Senate probe into the impact of branch closures on regional communities prepares to report on Friday.
April 2024
D’Ambrosio gas claim debunked after outburst against Labor’s King
In another Victorian clash over gas with the Albanese government, Lily D’Ambrosio accused Madeleine King of behaving like “a Coalition minister”.
February 2024
PM says Aussie nickel will prevail, Nats demand climate policy relief
Anthony Albanese says Australian nickel miners will ultimately have a competitive advantage over environmentally-unfriendly Indonesian competitors.
October 2023
Qantas moons the Senate
The airline considers itself an arm of government when it wants protectionist policy settings but a private company when any transparency is required of it.
September 2023
Fire at Genex Power battery project in Qld a ‘rare occurrence’
Genex Power chief executive Craig Francis says too early to tell cause of fire at 50-megawatt Bouldercombe battery project near Rockhampton.
Bankers battle against regional branch mandate
Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn said it was unsustainable to invest in the regional network as the use of physical cash declined.
August 2023
PwC scandal casts secrecy shadow over Commonwealth Games inquiry
Witnesses before an inquiry into Victoria cancelling the Commonwealth Games were quick to explain why they had to remain silent.
EY stands by Games advice, refuses to say how much it was paid
EY consultants have told a federal inquiry they stand by the work that put the cost of the 2026 Commonwealth Games at $2.6 billion, before the Andrews government cancelled the event citing a cost blowout up to $7 billion.
Clock ticking on carbon ‘tariff’ battle, say vulnerable manufacturers
A government review of the safeguard mechanism carbon reduction targets is due in 2026-27, which could hasten action.