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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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exclusiveDefence

(Left) Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, RAN, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, and Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney Commander Andrew Hough RAN, onboard HMAS Sydney, at Fleet Base East, Sydney. *** Local Caption *** The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, visited Garden Island Defence Precinct on 14 December 2021. The Minister was met by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, RAN and Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. During the visit the Minister viewed the Captain Cook Graving Dock and HMAS Sydney. Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney is the key command, control, homeport, operations and sustainment establishment for Navyâs eastern based Major Fleet Units.

Coalition to put a rocket under defence spending with ‘significant’ boost

Peter Dutton says a Coalition government would spend more than Labor on defence and provide the money earlier.

Dennis Shanahan and Paul Kelly

exclusiveNation

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION LIBERAL BUS. 16/04/2025Pictured is the electorate of Aston candidate Manny Cicchiello , Opposition Leader Peter Dutton Development and Senator Jonno Duniam Shadow Minister for the Environment Fisheries and Forestry as they a visited a new homes building site in the suburb of Wantirna in the Aston electorate outside Melbourne in Victoria.Picture: Richard Dobson / Newswire

Australia viewed as a ‘weak nation’ under Albanese: Dutton

The Opposition Leader has attacked the Prime Minister for his ‘lack of interest’ and inexperience in dealing with matters of national security.

Dennis Shanahan and Paul Kelly

CommentaryPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos SEPTEMBER 13, 2022:Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his dog Toto before he met with Commonwealth heads of missions at the Lodge.The Commonwealth heads of missions gathered at the Lodge in Canberra, where they met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Three-term Albo? A bit of banter hoists PM on his own curtain rod

When Peter Dutton said he’d live at Kirribilli House, Labor rightly pasted him for hubristically ‘measuring up the curtains’. Now Anthony Albanese has had his own curtains moment – and more.

Dennis Shanahan

COMMENTARYPolitics

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION Labor BUS. DAY 16 13/04/2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In the WA.ALP Federal campaign launch held in Perth. Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Why Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek are ghosting each other

Plibersek and the PM share a long history of conflicting leadership ambitions and fortunes. Her now celebrated blow away kiss at Labor’s campaign launch betrays deeper feelings and risks political damage.

Dennis Shanahan

COMMENTARYPolitics

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION LIBERAL BUS. 13/04/2025Pictured is the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton after addressing the Liberal Party campaign launch held at the Liverpool Catholic Club at Prestons in western Sydney.Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

Circus was next door, but plenty of elephants at Peter Dutton’s launch

Peter Dutton and the circus both came to western Sydney for a show and there was no doubt the Stardust Circus had a bigger venue, was more entertaining and certainly had a bigger crowd.

Dennis Shanahan

INQUIRERInquirer

**STRICTLY EMBARGOED FOR 12 SATURDAY 2025**10 April 2025; Across generations, who will shape Australia's political future? Gen X is fading into dust and forgotten. Sources: iStock. Artwork by Frank Ling. Ratio 16:9. For PRINT.

Move over, millennials: debunking the election’s biggest myth

The message this election is that the era of aged power is over, the boomers are busted and the new voting power is with the young. There’s just one problem with this narrative: it’s wrong.

Dennis Shanahan

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Energy Minister Chris Bowen could lose seat of McMahon to local tech millionaire Matt Camenzuli.

Shock poll: Bowen in danger of losing seat to tech millionaire

Chris Bowen could lose his seat of McMahon to independent Matt Camenzuli, according to new polling, with the Energy Minister receiving just 19 per cent support.

Dennis Shanahan

commentaryCommentary

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION Labor BUS. DAY 11 08/04/2025 Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese debates Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton at the Sky News / Daily Telegraph Peoples Forum.Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire .

Moment of truth: One was a clear winner with the audience | WATCH

The first debate of the 2025 campaign has set the tone for the next four weeks. Importantly, neither leader made any mistake and there was no stumble.

Dennis Shanahan

commentaryPolitics

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

Albanese’s ‘nasty’ attacks on Dutton may backfire in debate

The big question for the Prime Minister is whether he can afford to stay on a personal path when he’s standing opposite Peter Dutton on national television.

Dennis Shanahan

CommentaryPolitics

NCA 2025 Federal Election Liberal Bus 07/04/2025Adelaide AustraliaLeader of the Australian Liberal party Peter Dutton visits the suburb of Glen Osmond in Adelaide to discuss plans to improve roads and infrastructure on the campaign trail for the 2025 federal election.Picture Thomas Lisson / NewsWire

Dutton torpedoes WFH policy after Labor’s dishonest attacks

The policy looked like a Trump-esque attack on public servants, with a Musk flavour of bureaucracy-cleansing. It added up to an attack on working mothers.

Dennis Shanahan

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/dennis-shanahan/page/4