Yesterday
Richardson slams Treasury misuse over lunch deduction costings
The department secretary has become embroiled in a row after Jim Chalmers asked Treasury to cost the Coalition’s tax break for small business lunches.
- Phillip Coorey and John Kehoe
This Month
- Opinion
- Queensland budget
Can Queensland dig itself out of a $109 billion budget black hole?
Successive governments have announced, but never really stuck to, top-down fiscal rules designed to ensure the state’s finances don’t get out of control.
- Joe Branigan
PM’s plan to wedge Libs on childcare, production tax credits
The government has fast-tracked legislation for its signature childcare policy to try and expose the Coalition on the cusp the federal election.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom Rabe
January
What will Berejiklian do next?
It mightn’t be in Optus’ interests, but the former NSW premier is back on the campaign trail.
- Hannah Wootton
Qld hits pause on wind farms, and big miners are among those worried
Resource-rich Queensland had become a poster child for the energy transition, but early signs from the new LNP government have created confusion about the state’s energy plans.
- James Hall
Liberal lobbyist Photios brings in Labor big guns for bipartisan firm
The influential figure from the moderate faction says, despite the Coalition’s favourable polling, “the sun never sets” on a team that talks to both sides.
- Kylar Loussikian
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Brisbane should learn lessons of Australian Open’s success
It’s always tough for governments to justify spending money on sporting venues. Yet, long-term thinking and the best option for leaving a legacy should be factored into the plans for Brisbane’s Olympic stadium.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Liberal party must be a broad and inclusive church
All institutions need to pick the best people on their merits, yet half the population is significantly underrepresented in one of Australia’s major political parties.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Diversity
Pragmatism – not ideology – is driving Dutton’s pushback against DEI
Attempts to mandate diversity and inclusion in companies when it is already second nature to most Australians can appear condescending and may fuel resentment.
- David Hughes
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Labor ramps up campaign in Greens battlegrounds
Labor has recruited a dedicated advertising agency to target the Greens at the next election, while the Liberals have rehired the agency that delivered the leaky bucket jingle.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Peter Dutton
Can hard times change the teal tide for Dutton?
It would be foolish to write off the opposition leader’s values-based election pitch. Economic conditions might hit home in the post-material seats he must win.
- Georgina Downer
Liberals’ male dominance comes down to democracy: Dutton
The opposition leader says he wants more Liberal women in parliament, but branches were selecting candidates based on their strong affinity with the community.
- Ronald Mizen
Liberals overwhelmingly pick men for safe seats
Just one woman has been pre-selected to replace eight Liberal MPs retiring at the next election, but insiders insist the party is heading in the right direction.
- Ronald Mizen
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
Labor considers ‘blended’ Medicare funding model
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler are expected to announce a range of new health policies as a cost-of-living relief pitch to voters.
- Lucy Slade
December 2024
Kyrgios and Djokovic team up for doubles match
The pair will use the tournament as a warm-up for the Australian Open; Victoria bans antisemitic flags, symbols and items. Hold the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Lucy Slade and Timothy Moore
- Opinion
- AFR Freshwater poll
Dutton risks losing underdog status
The weight of expectation is shifting behind the opposition leader. Which can be a curse.
- Phillip Coorey
Dutton stronger, more decisive than Albanese: poll
Peter Dutton leads Anthony Albanese on 10 of the 12 leadership attributes tested in the latest AFR/Freshwater Strategy poll.
- Phillip Coorey
Voters bracing for minority government – and Dutton to lead: poll
The latest poll shows a Labor-led minority is the most likely outcome from the next election. But more voters believe Peter Dutton will be the next prime minister.
- Phillip Coorey
November 2024
Virgin will partner with Qatar for long-haul flights
ACCC gives interim approval for Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ agreement; the 11 Treasury bills that passed the Senate; Peter Dutton hugs Bill Shorten. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Lucy Slade