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Dennis ShanahanNational Editor

Dennis Shanahan has been The Australian’s Canberra Bureau Chief, then Political Editor and now National Editor based in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1989 covering every Budget, election and prime minister since then. He has been in journalism since 1971 and has a master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University, New York.

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INQUIRERInquirer

Sussan Ley's Coalition fails to exploit Chris Bowen's climate conflict.

Chaotic Coalition snuffs out faintest spark of revival

The opposition had a golden opportunity handed to it by Labor when Chris Bowen’s appointment as UN climate president finally embarrassed Anthony Albanese. Sussan Ley squibbed it.

Dennis Shanahan

ClimatePolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 26, 2025: Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Bowen rejects ‘hypocritical’ part-time minister quip

Climate Minister Chris Bowen faces fierce attacks from Coalition and Greens over his COP presidency role, with critics branding him a ‘part-time minister’.

Sarah Ison, Elizabeth Pike and Dennis Shanahan

COMMENTARYPolitics

Members of the Opposition turn on the lights on their phones after some of the lights in the chamber turned off during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Lights off in Parliament House as the gods curse ‘Blackout Bowen’

Chris Bowen – ‘El Presidente’ of COP31 and tagged ‘part-time minister and Blackout Bowen’ – was left adrift and in the dark when the lights failed during parliamentary question time on Wednesday.

Dennis Shanahan

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. NOVEMBER 25, 2025: Question Time in the House of Representitives at Parliament House in Canberra. Minister for Small Business Anne Aly, Minister for Communications Anika Wells, Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil and Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, Energy Minister Chris Bowen gestures. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach

COP president in residence: Bowen 747 faces delay

Chris Bowen’s international climate role has sparked a dramatic parliamentary showdown that forced the minister to abandon plans for a crucial April summit in Colombia.

Sarah Ison and Dennis Shanahan

COMMENTARYCommentary

Splash art for Dennis Shanahan Chris Bowen comment

Power trip: Libs turn up heat on ‘part-time Chris’ as energy bills bite

As Chris Bowen struggled to answer questions on rising power bills, Anthony Albanese discovered having his Energy Minister present in parliament was a bigger problem than his empty chair on the frontbench.

Dennis Shanahan

CommentaryPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 24, 2025: Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

This was Ley’s most important QT performance

The parliamentary atmosphere has changed. Sussan Ley has probably guaranteed her survival into next year.

Dennis Shanahan

INQUIRERInquirer

Climate war's new frontier. Picture:

Climate war’s new frontier as PM brands Coalition policy a betrayal

The Opposition Leader has a mountain to climb, but the Prime Minister must not repeat the mistakes of the voice referendum.

Dennis Shanahan

CommentaryCommentary

Graham Richardson file picture. (L-R) Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, David Combe (general secretary of the ALP) & Graham Richardson circa 1976.

Richo mastered the detail, kept score and ‘read faces’ like no other

There are few people around today with the skills, toughness and intellect to carry off the political career, and exercise as much influence, as Graham Richardson did for 50 years.

Dennis Shanahan

CommentaryInquirer

Johannes Leak Commentary page cartoon for 08-11-2025 Version: Commentary Cartoon (4:3, 1024x768 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added) COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications. Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

Liberals are quietly withdrawing support from Sussan Ley, hoping she’ll quit

There is even a suspicion that some Coalition MPs are ‘running dead’ to speed up the process as they abandon their first female leader.

Dennis Shanahan

commentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 6, 2025: Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Emissions narrative that could give Libs a path forward

With Sussan Ley to unveil the party’s final climate position next week, there is an emerging line from conservatives to offer a politically acceptable course.

Dennis Shanahan

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/dennis-shanahan