This Month
- Opinion
- The AFR View
States must step up the antisemitism fight
The antisemitic attacks on Jewish Australians are a national scandal. It’s up to state governments and police to protect all citizens equally.
- The AFR View
Pratt matches Rinehart with full-page ad for Trump
The Australian packaging magnate has taken out a full-page ad in the centre-left New York Times, leaving no doubt about his support for the president-elect.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
- Exclusive
- Trump's White House
Rudd puts his feet up for summer as world braces for Trump
Ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd has been watching cricket back home in Australia while Donald Trump assembles his new team.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- The AFR View
End the age of entitlement to taxpayer-funded political ads
Australia needs to get on top of the entitlement mentality to get the budget back in shape. A good place to start would be to stop paying for political ads out of the budget.
- The AFR View
Cash for campaigns: Labor’s $251m ad splurge sparks criticism
Ad spending surged 40 per cent last year, as Labor spent millions publicising policies such as tax cuts, urgent care clinics, and fee-free TAFE courses.
- Michael Read
December 2024
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Dutton not match fit after dodging the pack, or so Labor hopes
When the opposition leader has made a foray into policy detail, he’s found himself on the sticky paper.
- Phillip Coorey
Our obsession with junk food is creating a type 2 diabetes crisis
Dr James Muecke was Australian of the year in 2020, but his message about the mounting dangers of highly processed foods was swamped by COVID. Now he wants subsidies to big junk food slashed.
- Updated
- Terry Plane
Former Liberal MP returns to reclaim crucial Brisbane seat from Greens
Trevor Evans has ended months of speculation in a coup for the Coalition’s bid to reclaim an important inner-city electorate.
- James Hall
- Opinion
- Federal election
Anyone for tennis? Albanese needs to avoid the January jinx
A wander through some recent prime ministerial summers shows us that the season is stuffed with political danger.
- Lidija Ivanovski
Trophies and sequins as Australia’s business leaders gonged
A $70,000 Rolex and a sequined jacket show life is sweet for the victors, though the path isn’t always smooth.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano
- Analysis
- Federal election
Chalmers approves more spending – but only until the election
After three years of putting little emphasis on the private sector, Labor is now spruiking the value of a business-led recovery.
- Phillip Coorey
November 2024
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Like Morrison, Albanese’s hoping for a summer of love
Given the confirmation this week by Treasurer Jim Chalmers of a bigger budget deficit this financial year, it would make sense to call a federal election for April 12.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Big four
Chalmers sells intervention as economic salve
The US may have a different culture, but its politics still provide a recent lesson in the electoral risks of rural voters feeling ignored by governments or left out of services.
- Jennifer Hewett
How the Australian Club kiboshed Alan Jones’ membership
Retired radio shock jock Alan Jones’ influence and reputation survived one arrest. Will it survive his latest?
- Myriam Robin
- Opinion
- Big four
A levy to help rural banking is also a tax on innovation
The quest to leave no one behind in the regions cannot come at the expense of working households in the outer suburbs and elsewhere.
- Alexander Sanchez
US-Australia relationship will thrive, say PM and Dutton
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have congratulated Donald Trump on his win. The victory reinforced concerns inside Labor over the damage inflation can inflict on governments.
- Phillip Coorey and Andrew Tillett
October 2024
Ex-health minister backs COVID inquiry’s criticism of the states
Greg Hunt said the findings echoed his own concerns over the unilateral actions of the premiers, and notes more people had died from the virus since Labor was elected.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- US election
Trump is the elephant in the room on climate targets
The US election result next week will influence the world’s global climate change action plans, including Australia.
- John Kehoe
Six things Australia got wrong in the pandemic
The federal government’s expert review into Australia’s COVID-19 crisis response says future pandemics should be handled differently.
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Government grants
Coalition, Labor both promised $50m to this business. No one knows why
During the last election the major parties pledged funds to a run-down Hobart zinc smelter without proper advice. This is why it matters.
- Ronald Mizen