Latest
WA workers thriving without unions, says state Labor treasurer
Rita Saffioti’s comments threaten to open a rift between the state and the federal government over the resources sector.
- 1 hr ago
- Tom Rabe
‘I call BS’: Zali Steggall confronts minister in blow-up over donations laws
Labor faces tough negotiations with teal crossbenchers in the event of a hung parliament, after doing a deal with the Coalition on electoral reforms.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Skills
Pub chain got $9.7m taxpayer funds to fully train just 96 staff
In new evidence of widespread wastage in a Coalition training scheme, a pub group backed by Coles got $100,000 per worker to learn basic hospitality skills.
- Ronald Mizen
Victoria’s value capture claims a hurdle to further SRL money: King
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said she had approved the release of federal Labor’s $2.2 billion pledge for the first phase of the rail loop, known as SRL East.
- Ronald Mizen and Gus McCubbing
Crossbench shut out of political donations overhaul
Teal MPs and the Greens have slammed a deal by the major parties to revamp electoral funding laws.
- Tom McIlroy
Yesterday
Clive Palmer plans to bombard voters despite High Court defeat
The mining magnate will not be able to support candidates under the United Australia Party banner but still plans to bankroll “independent” Senate campaigns.
- Andrew Tillett
‘Dutton-proofed’: Greens-Labor agree to keep gas out of energy scheme
Liberals say the deal for the capacity investment scheme that underwrites new clean power projects is a preview of how an ALP minority government would run.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
Don’t waste cash on Rex bailout, regional carriers warn Labor
Rival regional carriers say they can service key routes if Rex collapses, as the Coalition slammed Labor’s bailout plan as a concession to unions.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser and Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Australian economy
As Rome burns, Australia fiddles with small-minded debate
Australia needs a revolution on tax, deregulation, energy supply and competition, not fiddling around the edges with small-minded economic debate.
- John Kehoe
Chalmers instructs banks to loosen home loan rules for HECS debts
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has instructed the prudential regulator to relax how HECS is treated when banks conduct mortgage serviceability tests.
- Updated
- Michael Read
This Month
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Albo’s JetKeeper will save Rex and bush votes – but at a price
By doubling down on plans to save Regional Express and its vital rural air routes, Labor rescuing a company that was indisputably the author of its own demise.
- James Thomson
Labor flags taking control of Rex
Labor says it will buy Rex if no one else does, raising questions around how much capital will need to be sunk into the airline.
- Tom McIlroy and Ayesha de Kretser
Vehicle emissions ‘wrong policy for our country’: Dutton
The opposition leader has flagged abolishing or softening Labor’s vehicle emissions standards.
- Phillip Coorey
‘Gross politicisation’: Liberals fire warning shot at public servants
Public service workers must be warned against inappropriate political activities in the lead-up to the election, the Coalition says.
- Tom McIlroy
Dutton urges RBA to resist pressure to cut rates
The opposition leader says there is ‘a real concern’ that if the RBA cuts the cash rate too early, it will have to increase rates before long.
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
- Exclusive
- Climate policy
Why car prices could rise as Labor’s emission rules hurt manufacturers
The majority of manufacturers are unlikely to meet the government’s vehicle emissions standards.
- Phillip Coorey
Greens target Gina Rinehart with new billionaire’s tax
Some 150 billionaires would pay an annual 10 per cent tax on their wealth, in the minor party’s latest move to target high-income earners and dramatically expand government spending.
- Tom McIlroy
Chasing electoral reform deal, Labor offers to increase donation caps
As all sides count down to the start of the election campaign, a possible vote on changes proposed by the government has been scheduled for Thursday.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Victorian election
Victoria’s byelection shows we need two-party system more than ever
Minor parties and independents lack the experience and ability to govern when it comes to serious policy issues facing Australia.
- Georgina Downer
- Exclusive
- Peter Dutton
Heat on Liberals over $500k donation
The son of former Liberal premier Ted Baillieu says the Liberal Party should be investigated over a possible breach of Victoria’s donation caps.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Peter Dutton
Why everyone is – suddenly – talking about Peter Dutton
Since Australia Day, the federal Labor Party has spent more than $400,000 on mainly YouTube ads talking down Mr Dutton’s record, while the Liberal Party spent money talking it up.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
Senate scramble as Labor pushes ‘wedgislation’ before election
This week may be the last chance for the Senate to pass bills before Australians go to the polls.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Victorian election
Liberal Party is yet to heed the message sent in Werribee
State and federal oppositions will draw encouragement from the byelection result. But neither has shown voters a coherent and credible budget and economic strategy.
- Updated
- Saul Eslake
US to fly illegal migrants to Guantanamo Bay
The first planeload of illegal immigrants will land in the notorious prison on Tuesday; Michaelia Cash emphasises Peter Dutton’s strength over his likeability; Elliott swoops on BP. Here’s how the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Andrew Hobbs
- Analysis
- Analysis
Labor’s worst fears confirmed, Greens get another reality check
If the Werribee swing was replicated uniformly in Victoria at the federal election, Labor would lose about 11 seats.
- Phillip Coorey