This Month
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
Six signs that you are charismatic
Donald Trump’s got it. Anthony Albanese doesn’t. A candidate’s charisma is a bigger electoral factor than previously given credit for, writes psychologist Pete Quarry.
- Peter Quarry
The gifts from foreign leaders Albanese has kept (and those he hasn’t)
There are strict rules for presents given to the prime minister and senior cabinet ministers. Here’s how the system works.
- Tom McIlroy
‘I apologise’: McKenzie reveals 16 free flight upgrades
With the media focused on the US presidential election late on Wednesday, Coalition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie updated her register of interests.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen and Tom McIlroy
The expats in Australia helping to decide if it’s Trump or Harris
The Democrats Abroad movement has helped at least 10,000 Americans living in Australia vote in this year’s presidential election.
- Gus McCubbing and Jonathan Shapiro
Independents’ move to quit Chairman’s Lounge sparks backlash
Independent MPs Allegra Spender and Helen Haines said they would quit the invite-only club, calling for an end to upgrades on taxpayer-funded flights.
- Tom McIlroy
No quid pro quo in Dutton’s travel on Rinehart jet: McKenzie
The Coalition frontbencher is likely to update her own public disclosures over flight records within days.
- Tom McIlroy
Victorian Greens MP quits party after affair with staffer
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell says Prahran MP Sam Hibbins has completely lost her trust and is “never welcome back” after admitting he had an affair with a female staffer.
- Gus McCubbing
Flight risk: Albanese’s Qantas saga hurts repair job with voters
The prime minister wants to show he is acting on cost of living, but the focus remains firmly on his flight upgrades and the fading prospect of a pre-Christmas rate cut.
- Andrew Tillett
October
MPs defend flight upgrades amid PM’s Qantas saga
Liberal MP Paul Fletcher asked Qantas to stop giving him upgrades on official travel, preferring to fly economy to save taxpayers’ money.
- Tom McIlroy
Albanese says he never called Qantas boss for flight upgrades
The leadership of the newly established National Anti-Corruption Commission, including Commissioner Paul Brereton, have been given access to Qantas’ invite-only Chairman’s Lounge.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy and Ronald Mizen
Victorian Liberals promise to bring back state debt cap
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has set the stage to fight the 2026 election over debt, after vowing to cap net debt as a percentage of gross state product.
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Dutton has tales to tell, but no log cabin story
For a bloke who has been in parliament for 23 years, much about the Liberal opposition leader remains unknown to the broader electorate.
- Phillip Coorey
- Analysis
- Perspective
The true cost of Albanese’s bargain house buy
Symbolism and perceptions matter in politics, ever more so in a social media era. That’s why the prime minister’s beach house purchase has raised so many eyebrows.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Opinion
Has everyman Albo reached the limit of his talents?
Anthony Albanese wanted to appeal to voters beset with “conflict fatigue”. Now they are unconvinced that he is fighting for them.
- Shaun Carney
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why there’s no free lunch in government
The Albanese government is still struggling to break out of a post-Voice gloom, with new policies failing to stop the lingering sense of drift permeating Canberra.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Opinion
Anthony Albanese has yet to grow into the prime minister’s job
The prime minister is a political operator rather than a visionary. His inability to persuade and sustain arguments is beginning to show.
- James Curran
As Victorian Labor loses ground, Libs get knives out for their leader
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has never been more popular with the public, but he faces an uphill battle to convince his colleagues he’s election-winning material.
- Gus McCubbing
A year after PM’s darkest hour, Labor still searching for a way back
But this week marked a turning point - when the government sharpened its focus to raw electoral politics.
- Phillip Coorey
Marles staffer complains she is being ‘bullied’ out of her job
Jo Tarnawsky, chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, says she wants the minister and others to be held accountable.
- Andrew Tillett