The Editorial Team

Samantha MaidenNational political editor

Samantha Maiden is the political editor for news.com.au. She has also won three Walkleys for her coverage of federal politics including the Gold Walkley in 2021. She was also previously awarded the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, Kennedy Awards Journalist of the Year and Press Gallery Journalist of the Year. A press gallery veteran, she has covered federal politics for more than 20 years.

@samanthamaiden

Samantha Maiden

Latest

Health Problems

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 11: Prime Minister Scott Morrison reacts during a press conference in the Prime Ministers courtyard on December 11, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. Clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland in partnership with biotech company CSL will be abandoned, after the Federal Government had committed to purchasing, and agreements had been made to secure 51 million doses of the vaccine. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Pressure mounts on PM over vaccine

Australian officials are insisting they won’t take “short cuts” on the COVID-19 vaccine as pressure mounts to roll out the vaccine as soon as possible.

Politics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 11: Prime Minister Scott Morrison makes opening remarks during a convening of the Federation Reform Council at Old Parliament House on December 11, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. The National Federation Reform Council (NFRC) has been established to replace Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meetings. (Photo by Mick Tsikas-Pool/Getty Images)

‘Not true’: Reshuffle rumour shot down

Australia’s US ambassador has been quick to quash speculation he may return from the post early making way for a broader cabinet reshuffle.

Travel Incidents

(FILES) In this file photo a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Qantas Air Lines is seen on the tarmac of LAX Los Angeles airport on May 11, 2019. - Boeing will consolidate manufacturing of the 787 Dreamliner plane to one plant in the US, ending production of the wide-body jet in Washington state, the company announced on October 1, 2020. The move follows earlier announcements by Boeing that it would slash production of the jets to six per month in 2021 from 14 due to weak demand for airline travel because of the coronavirus. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP)

PM’s huge blow for overseas travel hopes

Australians hoping the COVID-19 vaccine will deliver the golden ticket to resuming international travel have had their hopes cruelly dashed.

Politics

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton pictured addressing the media at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, Brisbane 25th of November 2020. (Image/Josh Woning)

Dutton’s rumoured new role in doubt

Speculation has been rife that Peter Dutton will be moved out of his powerful Home Affairs portfolio, but an eleventh hour plea has all but ruled it out.

Politics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA-NCA NewsWire Photos DECEMBER 8 2020.Tony Burke Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

MP pays back $8k spent on family holiday

Five years after his taxpayer-funded family holiday to Uluru blew up into a scandal, Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has voluntarily paid back $8,000.

Leaders

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 09: Senator Pauline Hanson in the Senate at Parliament House on December 09, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. The Morrison government will seek to abolish the Ã¢â¬Åbetter off overall testÃ¢â¬Â for prospective enterprise agreements under its omnibus industrial relations package, which the ABC reports will be unveiled in full today. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

‘Lose your rights’: Pauline’s ‘racist’ spray

Pauline Hanson has declared people have “lost their rights” in a furious speech where she also attacked an Aboriginal senator who had “a white father.”

Environment

NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the Gospers Mountain Fire as it impacts a structure at Bilpin, Saturday, December 21, 2019. Conditions are expected to worsen across much of NSW as temperatures tip 40C. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

‘Extreme fire weather’ warning

More frequent devastating bushfire seasons, like the one that tore through Australia last summer, will become a stark part of our reality, experts warn.

Retail