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Rhiannon Down is a political reporter in The Australian’s Canberra bureau. She began her career at the paper in the Sydney bureau, where she covered mostly courts and crime, after joining the newspaper as a cadet.

@rhi_down

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DETAINEE CRISISNation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos AUGUST 17, 2022: Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke (pictured) spoke to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Coalition slams Labor over ‘massive community safety failure’

The Coalition has accused Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke of overseeing another ‘massive community safety failure’ after a former detainee was charged over an alleged assault.

Rhiannon Down

EXCLUSIVENation

Senator Don Farrell, Minister for trade amd Toursim gives a Keynote speech at the The Global Food Forum 2025 in Melbourne on Friday 14 March 2025.Photo: The Australian/ luis Enrique Ascui

Car industry urges minister to finalise Europe free-trade deal

The nation’s automotive industry is urging Trade Minister Don Farrell to finalise an EU-Australia free-trade deal to bolster the Australian manufacturing sector and encourage imports of European vehicles.

Rhiannon Down

Politics NowPolitics

Anthony Albanese has yet to secure a formal meeting with Donald Trump at the G7.

Albanese yet to secure meeting with Trump amid AUKUS review

The Prime Minister is facing calls to immediately lock in a discussion with the US President at next week’s G7, as the US reviews the security pact.

Sarah Ison, Rhiannon Down and Noah Yim

diplomacyPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 11, 2025: European Union Ambassador to Australia Gabriele Visentin addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on

EU envoy talks up security ties and trade talks

The European Union’s top diplomat in Canberra says Donald Trump’s tariff regime has galvanised negotiations on an EU-Australia free trade deal, although the same ‘sticky issues’ remain.

Rhiannon Down

EXCLUSIVENation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 19, 2024: Dan Tehan MP attends the Fit for Office launch, a three week fitness challenge for 40 plus MPs and senators at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Tehan warns of ‘left-wing alliance’

Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan has warned that Climate 200, Labor and the Greens are working as a ‘progressive front’, urging his Coalition colleagues to be wary of the threat.

Rhiannon Down

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

CANBERRA, Australia - NewsWire Photos - November 5, 2024: Minister for Skills and Training of Australia, Andrew Giles and Minister during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Detainee spared deportation after minister’s delay

A sex offender has been spared deportation in a ruling that undermines Labor’s bid to contain the fallout of an immigration blunder.

Rhiannon Down

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Wednesday 1st June 2022. The Australian. The Hon Andrew Robb AO, Chair, Project Steering Committee, Australian AgriFood Data Exchange with The Weekly Times Editor James Wagstaff at the Global Food Forum.Photograph by Arsineh Houspian

Ex-minister urges PM: ‘Don’t make concession to Trump on trade’

Andrew Robb, the architect of multiple free-trade deals, has urged Anthony Albanese to focus on the nation’s shared history with the US in a potential meeting with Donald Trump.

Rhiannon Down

EXCLUSIVENation

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 3rd 2025: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in Perth today with Premier Roger Cook, Minister Catherine King and WA Minister Rita Saffioti, announcing upgrades to the Kwinana Freeway; Main Roads Dept, Perth, WA. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

Unis seek EU escape from Trump

Universities are turning to Europe for certainty on research funding amid Donald Trump’s escalating attacks on higher education, ahead of Anthony Albanese’s potential meeting with the US President.

Rhiannon Down

Politics NowPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - May 28, 2025: Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley and Party leader of the National Party of Australia David Littleproud hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Policies up for review, values are not: Ley’s pep talk for battered Libs

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she won’t rush a thorough review of Liberal policies after the Coalition’s crushing election loss, but moved to reassure supporters that core Liberal values of aspiration and getting ahead would be front and centre.

Sarah Ison, Rhiannon Down, Matthew Cranston and Kyle Rode

EXCLUSIVENation

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - March 26, 2025: Leader of the House, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Detainee fails to halt deportation to Nauru

An immigration detainee and convicted wife killer has lost his legal fight against Labor’s bid to deport him to the Pacific Island nation.

Rhiannon Down

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/rhiannon-down