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COMMENTARY

The Liberals have slogans while Hanson has formulated a plan

Pauline Hanson’s policies devastated Sussan Ley and she now plans to target Angus Taylor in a battle to become Anthony Albanese’s main challenger.

Robert Gottliebsen

Business Columnist

ANALYSIS

Australian ISIS detainees a toxic issue no one wants to face

The events of the past month in Syria highlight again how Canberra’s non-policy towards the remaining Islamic State cohort is hostage to events over which it has no control.

Rodger Shanahan

COMMENTARY

BlueScope’s new playbook: Attack is the best defence

New chief executive Tania Archibald is taking the fight to the steelmaker’s stalkers, all designed to build a case that BlueScope is worth more in local hands.

Associate Editor

COMMENTARY

Political outsider Taylor runs his own race against the political machine

Angus Taylor has a deep disdain for the sniping and factionalism that are entrenched in the culture of the political class.

Columnist

COMMENTARY

The RBA’s grim warning has delivered Taylor his opening script

Not only are rates going up, inflation dragging on for two more years than promised and productivity in the toilet, but now the economy is also grinding to a halt. How can Jim Chalmers look Australians in the eye?

Political analyst

COMMENTARY

Protest fools beat the drum for repression

Why do Western protesters who think they are speaking truth to power focus on Israel but stay silent about billionaire oil sheikhs and Iranian mullahs who run repressive regimes and fund terror?

Columnist

Editorials

EDITORIAL

Balancing books will help intergenerational equity

Punitive taxes on success will not encourage incentive, investment.

Editorial

EDITORIAL

Vulnerable minors deserve better

Much will depend on a review to develop new guidelines for treating gender-distressed minors.

Editorial

EDITORIAL

UN backs Iran’s cruelty to women

Secretary-general Antonio Guterres has turned the body into a farce.

Editorial

Letters

LettersLetters

Let’s give the Coalition some time to sort its policies

letters web dinkus for 2019

Give the Taylor-Hume-Littleproud-McKenzie team 12 months and see how things look then.

LettersLetters

Inconceivable to see our nation so divided

letters web dinkus for 2019

Australia has turned into a different country in regard to our unifying values.

LAST POSTLetters

Last Post: Do the math

Last Post: Do the math

Housing shortage in Victoria. Victorian bricklayers work from home three days a week.

Last Post

Feeding the Chooks

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 25, 2025: James McGrath MP at the National Press Club of Australia on Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

‘Moderates vs conservatives’: New LNP backroom battle shapes up

The party’s moderate powerbroker James McGrath in new fight for top spot on Senate ticket as the Christian Right eviscerates Amanda Stocker.

Sarah Elks and Mackenzie Scott

Director-General Department of Premier and Cabinet Damien Walker during Estimates, Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Crisafulli’s top public servant takes $19k in gifts

A year in the gift-filled life of Queensland’s top bureaucrat: $6000 tickets to the Wallabies, $1000 Brisbane International tennis lounge access, and opening nights at the theatre. And try our Queensland politics quiz!

Sarah Elks, Mackenzie Scott and Michael McKenna

Australian conservative Barclay McGain, who met with Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA conference in December last year. Picture: Facebook

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Anti-abortion activists plot ‘wholesale capture’ of LNP

A 25-year-old crusader claims he has recruited 200 anti-abortion members to the LNP youth wing as part of his ambition to get Queensland abortion laws overturned.

Sarah Elks, Mackenzie Scott and Michael McKenna

Triumphant Queensland Premier David Crisafulli proclaimed “Katter country is now Chiesa country” after LNP candidate Wayde Chiesa won the Hinchinbrook By-Election in historic fashion. Picture: Cameron Bates

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Crisafulli’s historic hometown by-election win

David Crisafulli has claimed a historic by-election victory in his hometown with his mate as his hand-picked candidate, taking the regional seat of Hinchinbrook back from regional force, the Katter’s Australian Party.

Sarah Elks, Michael McKenna and Mackenzie Scott

CommentaryCompanies

Shore crane lifts container during cargo operation in port

From long-term backer to buyer: Qube’s UniSuper twist

The $11.7bn Qube takeover carries a lesson for listed companies: that loyal industry super fund on your register can just as easily become a big part of the buyout consortium.

analysisWorld

Australian women and children at the Al-Hawl camp in northeast Syria. Picture: Supplied

Australian ISIS detainees a toxic issue no one wants to face

The events of the past month in Syria highlight again how Canberra’s non-policy towards the remaining Islamic State cohort is hostage to events over which it has no control.

Rodger Shanahan

CommentaryCompanies

North Star BlueScope Steel is an electric arc furnace steelmaking mini- mill located in Delta, Ohio, in the United States. The mill uses scrap metal secured and produced by BlueScope Recycling and Materials to offer end-of-life steel a new opportunity to become hot-rolled coil.

BlueScope’s new playbook: Attack is the best defence

New chief executive Tania Archibald is taking the fight to the steelmaker’s stalkers, all designed to build a case that BlueScope is worth more in local hands.

COMMENTARYBusiness

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - January 19, 2026: One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson, Senator Malcolm Roberts, Senator Sean Bell, Senator Tyron Whitten and Barnaby Joyce MP hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Liberals have slogans while Hanson has formulated a plan

Pauline Hanson’s policies devastated Sussan Ley and she now plans to target Angus Taylor in a battle to become Anthony Albanese’s main challenger.

Robert Gottliebsen

analysisWorld

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 14, 2026 in Munich, southern Germany. Heads of state and government as well as foreign and defence ministers from all over the world are expected to attend the security policy talks from February 13 to 15, 2026. (Photo by Alexandra BEIER / POOL / AFP)

Rubio offered partnership rather than provocation

Marco Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference is more likely to elicit a collaborative response from Europe in standing more confidently on its own two feet as a partner of Washington.

strategy changeInvesting

Trading and Investment Concept with Golden Coins and Up and Down Arrows on a Financial Chart. 3D Render

No more small-cap stocks for me, thank you

Small-cap stocks might be set to outperform in 2026. The only problem is which one you should pick.

commentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, Australia,NewsWire Photos. February 9, 2026: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers during question time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The RBA’s grim warning has delivered Taylor his opening script

Not only are rates going up, inflation dragging on for two more years than promised and productivity in the toilet, but now the economy is also grinding to a halt. How can Jim Chalmers look Australians in the eye?

commentaryCommentary

Protesters rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Protesters march through Swanston Street.,Picture: Jake Nowakowski

‘Anti-Zionist’ protests just same old Soviet-style hate

The Soviet Union perfected antisemitism without antisemites. It also ended up in the dustbin of history. Let’s hope the recent visit of Herzog marks a turning point we’re out of the shadow of Bondi.

Paul Rubenstein

CommentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, Australia,NewsWire Photos. February 11, 2026: Angus Taylor holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Political outsider Taylor runs his own race against the political machine

Angus Taylor has a deep disdain for the sniping and factionalism that are entrenched in the culture of the political class.

EditorialEditorials

Balancing books will help intergenerational equity

Balancing books will help intergenerational equity

Punitive taxes on success will not encourage incentive, investment.

Editorial

EditorialEditorials

Vulnerable minors deserve better

Vulnerable minors deserve better

Much will depend on a review to develop new guidelines for treating gender-distressed minors.

Editorial

EditorialEditorials

UN backs Iran’s cruelty to women

UN backs Iran’s cruelty to women

Secretary-general Antonio Guterres has turned the body into a farce.

Editorial

commentaryMedia

“professional protestor” Josh Lees posts on his instagram in October 2025 showing him joining mass militant protests outside The Colosseum in Rome. Image: Instgram/@josh.lee.syd

Protest fools beat the drum for repression

Why do Western protesters who think they are speaking truth to power focus on Israel but stay silent about billionaire oil sheikhs and Iranian mullahs who run repressive regimes and fund terror?

EXCHANGEMarkets

Man broker stock market crash crisis concept angry, grumpy investor, generic, business

Banks, miners’ reporting strength obscures market turbulence

Corporate Australia’s earnings boom masks an extreme two-speed economy whereby banks and miners are thriving as retailers, tech and healthcare stocks deal with sell-offs.

commentaryCommentary

Tom Switzer has written on Malcolm Turnbull.

The enduring ghastliness of Malcolm Turnbull

From The Guardian to the ABC, Turnbull delivers poisonous and deeply personal broadsides against Liberal leaders and the party he once led. The former prime minister has become the miserable ghost of Australian politics.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary