Latest
Why rate cuts are at risk from Labor’s $3.5b cost of living relief
More handouts to secure votes in next year’s election will derail any chance of an early rate cut, investors warn.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- AFR Freshwater poll
Labor’s plight is not unique but the solution remains elusive
As each month passes without noticeable improvement in the cost of living, it’s all starting to appear rather fraught for the government.
- Phillip Coorey
Dutton best suited to handle Trump, Labor still facing minority: poll
The Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy polling shows the Albanese government remains behind the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis.
- Phillip Coorey
Queensland LNP puts heat on Albanese before federal election
In just three weeks of being in government, the LNP’s first taste of power in the state in nearly a decade has been frenetic, with clear signals to Canberra.
- James Hall
- Opinion
- Opinion
Campaign finance laws could reduce not increase political competition
The community independents are right that this legislation is too important to be rushed through parliament in the final two sitting weeks.
- Richard Holden
This Month
Chalmers warns against Dutton comeback as interest rate hopes fade
Capital Economics became the latest forecaster on Friday to push back their forecast for the RBA’s first cash rate cut beyond the next election.
- Tom McIlroy and Michael Read
Palmer set to challenge Albanese donation plans in court
Labor designed its plan for new political donations rules to withstand a constitutional challenge, but the billionaire miner says it is designed to rig elections.
- Tom McIlroy
Can Dutton pull off a victory like Trump?
The Republican’s appeal to blue-collar battlers is a template the opposition leader seems determined to follow. But will it work?
- Andrew Tillett and Tom McIlroy
Election donation rules target Palmer and Climate 200
New rules due to come into force in 2026 will cap spending in federal elections and dramatically speed up public disclosure rules.
- Tom McIlroy
Why the Telstra CEO is worried about next year’s federal election
Telstra boss Vicki Brady said long-term thinking was needed in Canberra, something that could be difficult if neither party has a majority in parliament.
- Tom McIlroy and Lucas Baird
- Opinion
- Opinion
Musk rings alarm bells for business of government
Why the appointment of the world’s richest man to a cost-cutting role in the Trumpiverse challenges Labor’s approach to government in Australia.
- Jennifer Hewett
Albanese channels Turnbull in Trump tariff fight
The Albanese government says the US has nothing to gain from imposing tariffs on Australia as it already enjoys a trade surplus.
- Phillip Coorey
Public support for migration has ‘snapped’: Coalition
The cost-of-living crisis and the post-pandemic surge in arrivals has broken the social compact on migration, says Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie.
- Phillip Coorey and Rohan Sullivan
- Analysis
- Peter Dutton
Why we may not see another budget before the election
The government might not deliver another budget before the election, even though it says it will. The reason? Deficits as far as the eye can see.
- Phillip Coorey
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
The lessons in Trump’s victory for Albanese
Despite many indicators pointing to a period of economic strength, America’s working class did not feel well served by the Democrats and voted for change.
- Ronald Mizen
Changing CGT, negative gearing won’t help housing supply: Treasury
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy says curbing the capital gains tax deduction would have more impact on lowering house prices than changes to negative gearing, but neither would help boost supply.
- Phillip Coorey and Hannah Wootton
Markets push rate cut bets beyond the next election
Investors now expect the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold until July 2025, raising the possibility Labor could fight an entire campaign without a rate cut.
- Michael Read
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
Two drivers of Trump’s popularity may haunt Albanese
Demographic groups, united by grievances about economic opportunity, may not be enough to get Donald Trump elected, but their shift to the right is remarkable.
- Updated
- Jessica Gardner
- Opinion
- Australian economy
The silly season for bad policy has started
Previous governments went for hard and unpopular reforms. Anthony Albanese chooses the easy and populist.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Anthony Albanese
Unlike Albanese, RBA not declaring mission accomplished on inflation
When it comes to inflation, we are at the point where spin is clashing with substance.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Higher interest rates are partly Labor’s doing
The unfortunate truth for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is that the elevated interest rates will play a big part in next year’s election.
- The AFR View
Steer clear of abortion debate, Dutton warns colleagues
The Queensland LNP’s dalliance with abortion cost it significant support in the state election campaign and the opposition leader wants to avoid that happening federally.
- Phillip Coorey
Cheaper arts degrees after Labor ‘unscrambles’ uni fees
The Albanese government is poised to unveil permanent measures to lower student debt, on top of the one-off $16 billion reduction.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- HECS
PM’s plan to spend Labor’s way out of trouble
Over the weekend we saw the emergence of a plan, or at least the latest plan, to try to shift the government out of its torpor.
- Phillip Coorey
The four seats that matter most out of the Queensland election
Queensland was said to be critical for Labor to avoid minority government but the election crystallised a concerning dip in support. Here are four seats to watch.
- James Hall and Tom McIlroy