Latest
- Opinion
- Opinion
Coalition government will go back to basics on fiscal responsibility
Economic theory and empirical evidence demonstrates that a responsible approach to managing the nation’s budget is a prerequisite for prosperity.
- Jane Hume
Dutton targets waste and handouts in middle Australia pitch
The opposition leader pledged to rein in what he says is wasteful spending and said his strong leadership would be an antidote to a “weak” Anthony Albanese.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Peter Dutton
Dutton makes a pitch for a values-based election victory
Peter Dutton has observed seven prime ministers in his 23-years in politics, but John Howard is clearly the greatest influence.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
Dutton declares Libs ‘back in town’ in Victoria
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has made it clear he believes the Victorian Liberal Party is stronger with Brad Battin, a fellow ex-police offer, in charge.
- Gus McCubbing
Albanese seizes on Los Angeles fires to argue case for climate action
As some of the world’s wealthiest enclaves are destroyed, the PM says Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy plan will delay action to address climate change.
- Andrew Tillett
This Month
- Opinion
- Opinion
Albanese’s on a highway to a bread-and-butter election
The prime minister’s announcement about the Bruce Highway wasn’t so much pork barrelling as trying to demonstrate that the government was actually doing things.
- Laura Tingle
- Analysis
- Anthony Albanese
Election strategy: why Albanese’s road trip wasn’t just about voters
The prime minister made an early start on the campaign trail but the election battle has only just begun.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Opinion
Poilievre and Dutton are taking a stand for pragmatic working-class conservatism
Both opposition leaders in Canada and Australia have little concern for the progressive agendas and opinions of affluent elites.
- Matthew Doman
- Opinion
- Opinion
Albanese v Dutton: It’s grand slam politics time in Victoria
The prime minister will be hoping that voters can park their resentment at state Labor until after the federal campaign. But Coalition leader has his own issues down south.
- Lidija Ivanovski
Dutton and Qld unite against CFMEU for $9b highway project
Peter Dutton’s pledge to match Labor’s $7.2 billion for a highway – if the CFMEU is blocked from the project – has won support from the state’s premier.
- John Kehoe
- Analysis
- Anthony Albanese
Can Albanese make his mini campaign blitz pay off?
The prime minister’s itinerary in a three-day tour of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia betrays his defensive mindset.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Chalmers pledged a spending diet, but Labor is on a binge
There is a big difference between what a government forecasts it will spend in the years ahead and what it actually spends.
- John Kehoe
- Exclusive
- Allegra Spender
‘Smears and lies’: Spender blasts claim she wants to raise taxes
The teal MP has called for truth in political advertising laws after a new right-wing campaign group, Australians for Prosperity, paid for ads saying she wants to lift taxes.
- Michael Read
- Exclusive
- Anthony Albanese
PM ignored independent adviser on Queensland road spend
A bypass project that Anthony Albanese visited to spruik a $7.2 billion Bruce Highway outlay had failed a cost-benefit assessment by Infrastructure Australia.
- John Kehoe
PM’s $7.2b Qld road pledge has states clamouring for more funding
Anthony Albanese has caved to Queensland’s new premier to pay 80 per cent of a $9 billion upgrade of the Bruce Highway, igniting demands from three states.
- John Kehoe, Gus McCubbing and Tom Rabe
- Exclusive
- Federal budget
Labor’s social spending budget blows out by $26b
The Albanese government’s spending on aged care, disability, medicines and childcare – where it will campaign – is $26 billion higher than first budgeted.
- John Kehoe, Michael Read and Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Opinion
Reform must be top New Year resolution in Canberra
We cannot afford a repeat of the last election when the major parties said don’t worry, we won’t change anything.
- Allegra Spender
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
- Opinion
- Opinion
Heed the election lesson of America and Argentina
This is shaping to be the year of licence and experimentation in politics, where the unthinkable can not just be thought, it can be said and done.
- Michael Shoebridge
- Analysis
- Peter Dutton
Labor’s risky election strategy takes shape
It’s only a few days in to this federal election year and already Labor and the Coalition are rehearsing their lines.
- John Kehoe and Michael Read
ASX lifts; Labor to make Medicare election pitch; New Orleans terrorism
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Teal MPs’ bid to scale back fuel subsidy could push up seafood prices
The West Australian fishing industry fears a push to overhaul the diesel fuel tax credit system for miners will eventually affect their sector.
- Tom Rabe
Labor launches New Year’s Day attack on business over wages
Labor has kicked off the election year with an assault on business and the Coalition, accusing them of wanting to maximise profits and pay workers less.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Opinion
Polls prove economic reform can pass pub test with the punters
Before the election campaign kicks off, a look at the polling shows Australians want economically credible, fiscally responsible and growth-oriented policies.
- John Scales and Tom Cameron
December 2024
‘It was stupid’: Labor admits meme with Dutton’s wife was wrong
Education Minister Jason Clare has admitted the Facebook post about Peter Dutton and his wife was “stupid” and “wrong”.
- Lucy Slade