This Month
- Exclusive
- Class action
Why top litigators are worried about a Dutton government
Litigation funders are worried about a crackdown on class action funding if the Coalition wins next year’s election.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
November
‘Ignorant’: Former spy boss hits Liberals over Bali Nine criticism
Dennis Richardson says the AFP’s controversial role in the arrest of the Bali Nine needs to be considered.
- Phillip Coorey
AAT lawyer accused of ‘vile language’ in tweets targeting conservatives
The new Administrative Reviews Tribunal deputy president Clare Thompson allegedly abused conservatives on Twitter, and described Liberals as “misogynistic toe rags”.
- Hannah Wootton
October
Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton gather in the court of Kerry Stokes
The Telethon Ball held in Perth on Saturday was the annual pilgrimage for politicians and business figures.
- Mark Di Stefano
Labor, Coalition clash over laws for lawyers, accountants, realtors
Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash roundly criticised plans to expand anti-money laundering laws to the three professions.
- Ronald Mizen
September
Dutton’s plan to tear up IR laws on par with Work Choices: Labor
The government says it is prepared to tweak its IR laws, but there will be no wholesale change as it gears up for an election fight on wages.
- Phillip Coorey
August
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
This week showed politics can still work in the national interest
The NDIS breakthrough, the CFMEU deal, and in-principle agreement on aged care reform shows it’s not all about the antics of crossbench issue poseurs or the confected conflict of question time.
- Phillip Coorey
Senate blocks CFMEU bill, minister warns assets being shifted
The Coalition and Greens joined forces on Thursday to block the bill to place the CFMEU into administration.
- Phillip Coorey and David Marin-Guzman
Government close to CFMEU deal after Libs drop inquiry demand
Three sticking points are preventing the passage of legislation to place the CFMEU’s construction divisions into administration.
- Phillip Coorey
Government moves to force CFMEU showdown
The government will attempt to force the Senate to vote this week on the CFMEU legislation, after failing to win over either the Greens or the Coalition.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
Greens, Libs to play hardball on CFMEU legislation
The union faces three years under administration and big penalties for anyone who tries to interfere. The opposition says the laws are too weak.
- Phillip Coorey
Labor warned CFMEU clean-up must go further
Legislation to put the militant construction union into administration will be introduced to Parliament this week but industry groups warned the looming takeover needed to go further.
- Andrew Tillett and Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Building Bad
Builders demand new CFMEU watchdog, but not deregistration
The building lobby wants a new, more powerful industry watchdog, but agrees that deregistering the CFMEU would be counterproductive.
- Phillip Coorey
July
- Opinion
- Building Bad
Albanese is responsible for the monster that is the CFMEU
A friendly political environment created by the Labor government allows the lawless union to thrive.
- Aaron Patrick
‘Good’: PM welcomes Setka resignation after AFR investigation
Anthony Albanese slammed former CFMEU boss John Setka as calls emerged for him to take tougher action against the militant union after allegations reported today.
- Updated
- David Marin-Guzman and Callum Goode
April
- Exclusive
- Industrial relations
Watchdog drops 30pc of cases against CFMEU
The workplace watchdog has filed no new cases against the construction union for 18 months and has dropped 30 per cent of the cases alleging construction union law-breaking it inherited after Labor’s election.
- David Marin-Guzman
February
Bosses ‘nauseated’ as public servants gain unlimited WFH days
The four largest federal government agencies have voted overwhelmingly to end mandatory work-from-office rules as part of an 11.2 per cent pay deal.
- Tom Burton
January
WA Labor: tax changes could hurt Albanese in these seats in the west
The Albanese government’s move to overhaul the stage three tax cuts could see it punished by high earning mining workers scattered across several battleground seats in Western Australia.
- Tom Rabe
December 2023
Lamb chops, clothes and cars held up in damaging ports dispute
Businesses have lashed governments’ indifference to ongoing port strikes, saying claims of no significant disruption to the economy are “ridiculous”.
- David Marin-Guzman
$400,000 for hurt and distress: Higgins’ government deal released
Brittany Higgins’ settlement deed with the Commonwealth of Australia has been released by a Sydney court, revealing the details of the government’s payment.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones