March
PM uses critical minerals as bargaining chip in Trump tariff war
Australia is using its supply of critical minerals as leverage with the Trump Administration, in a bid to avoid a second wave of tariffs.
December 2024
Childcare package an early Christmas present to parents and children
For government to seek to save pennies by withholding access to early education for the children who will benefit from it the most is not just Scrooge-like behaviour, it’s a false economy.
Former adviser and trade boffin a frontrunner for Fletcher’s seat
Gisele Kapterian will seek to run in Bradfield, the seat of retiring MP Paul Fletcher. The challenger in the once-safe Liberal seat will be teal Nicolette Boele.
November 2024
Report card on 47th parliament: Could do better
Two retiring politicians offered some pointed advice for their colleagues in parliament’s last session for the year.
The full list of bills to be passed tonight
The Senate has begun voting on a series of bills being rushed through in the final hours of parliamentary sittings for 2024. Follow live updates.
Birmingham warns Liberals against ideological extremes as he departs
Announcing his exit from politics, Liberal Senate leader Simon Birmingham also slammed China for abusing its power when it blocked Australian trade.
Albanese hopes to persuade China, US against a trade war
Ahead of world leaders’ meetings in South America, the PM says Australia’s middle-power status gives it influence with the two superpowers.
Kevin Rudd deletes anti-Trump social media posts
Past criticism of the incoming president continues to dog Australia’s envoy to Washington.
‘Don’t hit the panic button on Rudd’ if Trump wins
Recalling Kevin Rudd from Washington because of his past criticism of Donald Trump would be rash, said Dennis Richardson, Australia’s former ambassador to the US.
October 2024
‘She likes the attention’: Growing anger over Thorpe protest
The Coalition is seeking legal advice on whether the Victorian independent senator was rightfully sworn into parliament.
Labor has trashed backing for Israel: Birmingham
The Coalition has weighed in on the call by Palestine’s envoy for Islamic voters not to hurt Labor, as a new Muslim-backed candidate emerges to take on minister Jason Clare.
September 2024
Australia set to break with US on West Bank vote
The Albanese government is disappointed Palestinians have not made more concessions on a UN resolution demanding an end to Israel’s occupation but won’t vote no.
Australia joins push to water down anti-Israel UN vote
A fresh vote at the United Nations on Thursday will revive the damaging domestic debate for Labor over Palestinian policy.
August 2024
PM not tough enough on Iranian envoy: Libs
Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has hit out a “Zionist plague”, describing Hamas’ commitment to the “wiping out” of Israel by 2027 as a “heavenly and divine promise”.
July 2024
Voters will ‘resist the poison from Canberra’: WA premier
Roger Cook says WA voters will resist the introduction of sectarian politics to Australia, warning against “poison” from Canberra coming into his state.
Lebanon evacuation plans under way as Hezbollah menaces Israeli border
A stern warning to Israel’s ambassador not to escalate the war was delivered with the safety of up to 20,000 Australians in Lebanon in mind.
June 2024
Political row erupts over ‘hero’s welcome’ for Assange
The opposition says it is inappropriate for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to have spoken to Julian Assange after Assange’s arrival in Canberra on Wednesday.
Why Dutton is flying in the face of the China hawks
As the opposition leader’s rhetoric softens dramatically, the days of turning China into an election wedge appear to be over.
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.
Australia urged to list Iran’s enforcers as terror group
Canada’s designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp as a terrorist group has put pressure on the Albanese government to follow suit.