This Month
Revolving door of PMs embarrassed Australia: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has acknowledged Labor’s contribution to the chaos that blighted Australian politics for almost two decades.
- Phillip Coorey
NSW Labor formally backs Palestine state ‘as priority’
NSW Labor has sent a message to its counterparts in Canberra, passing a motion demanding the federal government recognise Palestinian statehood.
- Alex Mitchell and Samantha Lock
Trump could be ‘a loser’ if he abandons Ukraine, says Tony Abbott
The former prime minister reckons that Vladimir Putin owes the families of MH17 victims an apology and compensation for the “atrocity”.
- Andrew Tillett
June
- Analysis
- LNP
Peter Dutton could do an Abbott with time, if not God, on his side
With his nuclear power policy threatening inner-city seats, the opposition leader’s likely path to power is over two elections.
- Aaron Patrick
- Opinion
- The AFR View
End the nuclear ban. Don’t stop renewables
There is a case for considering zero emissions nuclear power but as part of a technology-neutral energy approach to generating reliable baseload power and firmed wind and solar generation.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Albanese ‘renews and revitalises’ ties with a very different China
It remains in Australia’s national interest to deepen both economic and diplomatic ties with our major trade partner, and continue to welcome China’s rise behind a rules-based order.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- China relations
The contradictions in Australia’s China policy
Australia will promote the visit by China’s Premier Li Qiang as evidence the relationship has “stabilised”. But policy tensions and hard choices are only increasing.
- Jennifer Hewett
Bill Shorten’s speechwriter earning $620,000
A former scriptwriter for soap operas Sons and Daughters and A Country Practice now earns more than a senator as “specialist speechwriter”.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
May
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
There won’t be a reshuffle until there is one
To move Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, a close factional ally of the Prime Minister and member of his praetorian guard, could cause more problems than it would solve.
- Phillip Coorey
April
Budget spending cuts must ‘take heat off’ interest rates
To limit the RBA’s interest rate rises, tens of billions of dollars in federal and state government expenditure must be unwound, economists say.
- John Kehoe
Boris Johnson: ‘You can’t make America great again if Ukraine falls to Putin’
The former UK PM urged Republicans in Congress to unite against Russia to maintain America’s status as the world’s pre-eminent superpower.
- Benedict Smith
March
Australia’s long history of short governments
Extending the timeframe for politicians to remain in power has widespread support from government, business and unions. It’s voters that need to be convinced.
- Phillip Coorey
February
- Analysis
- Dictators
Why are we talking ourselves into Armageddon?
Western leaders and commentators are increasingly talking of World War Three, but they may be overestimating the strengths of Russia, China and Iran.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Federal election
Why the PM looks confident for the first time in months
The Labor government is as buoyed by its tax and industrial relations policies as the business community is aghast at the impact. But who’s listening?
- Jennifer Hewett
Turnbull, Albanese, both liars, says Dutton
Peter Dutton has dismissed Malcolm Turnbull as a liar as he brushed off being labelled a “thug” by the former prime minister.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Liberals don’t want real tax reform
Except for Malcolm Turnbull, Liberal leaders have always scuppered tax overhauls that did not suit the direct interests of them and their outriders.
- Craig Emerson
January
- Opinion
- Liberal Party
Enter the Liberal Party, working-class heroes
The Liberals have won over the battlers before. Now they have a new cause in voters’ fears that their children will never be able to afford a home.
- John Roskam
Abbott urges deeper ties with Taiwan on eve of poll
The former prime minister says there is no reason why prime ministerial visits to the island should not occur.
- Andrew Tillett
December 2023
- Opinion
- Australian economy
How Chalmers’ fiscal goals lost all ambition
It is striking how modest fiscal strategy ambitions have become. If we look back over 10 years, there are valuable lessons.
- Robert Carling
AustralianSuper director publishes war novel
Misha Zelinsky’s book about the war in Ukraine features on a union official not dissimilar to himself, except female.
- Myriam Robin