Latest
The brutal retail politics behind the inflation fight
Relations between the Albanese government and the Reserve Bank of Australia are at an unprecedented low. Only one thing will ease the tension.
- Phillip Coorey
David Rowe cartoons for September 2024
David Rowe is a multiple Walkley award-winning cartoonist. He draws a daily political cartoon and one for the Chanticleer column.
- Updated
- David Rowe
Jewish uni students ‘shunned and told to study at home’
Interviews with dozens of students and academics has uncovered a disturbing picture of the ostracism, intimidation and vilification Jews and Israelis encounter.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Lift RBA target band, Costello dares Chalmers
Peter Costello has challenged Labor to raise the RBA’s target band for inflation rather than attack the bank over monetary policy, after Wayne Swan’s accusations.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
Bugger off, Brookfield: Insurers hit back at private hospital chain
The increasingly bitter feud between insurers and private health operators is getting personal.
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Defence
Faulty $1.2b navy ships out of action until 2025
Engineers are still trying to determine root causes of engine and drivetrain issues that have stopped the navy from being able to refuel warships at sea.
- Andrew Tillett
Opinion & Analysis
Brawls over RBA and ASIO as election season starts
Three institutions – the central bank, the security service, and the national census – all became political footballs this week.
Columnist
Just maybe, the worm has started to turn on the cost of living
The short-lived census row has sharply reminded the government that it cannot take its eye off the economic ball now.
Political editor
From Beaconsfield to Bruce: Labor’s loss will be education’s gain
Bill Shorten will rival, if not supplant, Kim Beazley as the best prime minister Labor never had.
Political editor
How to unlock the productivity power of a forgotten sector
There is a renewed push to get better value from the vast array of government services that make up around 20 per cent of the economy.
Government editor
This Month
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Brawls over RBA and ASIO as election season starts
Three institutions – the central bank, the security service, and the national census – all became political footballs this week.
- Laura Tingle
‘Vile violence’ against women faces $4.7b crackdown
States and territories will review information-sharing systems and alcohol laws under an agreement for urgent action.
- Tom McIlroy
Setka did not trespass on building site: police
Police clear the former CFMEU leader of any criminal offence; Angus Taylor says Wayne Swan RBA comments “disgraceful”; Mark Dreyfus says $3.9 billion for frontline legal services “critical”. Follow live updates.
- Lucy Slade
Domestic violence services to get millions of dollars in funding boost
On Friday, the national cabinet will consider urgent responses to violence against women and children, following a review delivered in August.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Just maybe, the worm has started to turn on the cost of living
The short-lived census row has sharply reminded the government that it cannot take its eye off the economic ball now.
- Phillip Coorey
Farmers slam call to create huge forest to reduce emissions
The Climate Change Authority review sparked criticism from the agricultural sector over a call for large-scale forestation.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Federal election
From Beaconsfield to Bruce: Labor’s loss will be education’s gain
Bill Shorten will rival, if not supplant, Kim Beazley as the best prime minister Labor never had.
- Phillip Coorey
Australia backs Japan over Chinese spy plane ‘invasion’
Australia, Japan and the US will knit their militaries more tightly together following high-level talks.
- Andrew Tillett
How changing your diet can help get to net zero
Eating more chicken, pork, kangaroo – and even algae and insects – could be necessary to get to net zero by 2050, according to the Climate Change Authority.
- Ronald Mizen
Departing Shorten confident NDIS can be brought under control
The former Labor leader and party powerbroker will leave federal politics after six terms to become vice chancellor of Canberra University.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
Victorian premier refers Setka to police after worksite speech
Bill Shorten quits politics to take up a new role as vice chancellor of the University of Canberra; China offers Africa billions in fresh financing. How the day unfolded.
- Lucy Slade
- Analysis
- Government Observed
How to unlock the productivity power of a forgotten sector
There is a renewed push to get better value from the vast array of government services that make up around 20 per cent of the economy.
- Tom Burton
- Updated
- Climate policy
Matt Kean unveils plan to achieve net zero by 2050
The Climate Change Authority’s landmark report downplayed the Coalition’s nuclear ambitions and said wind and solar generation needs to move faster to ensure Australia’s net zero ambitions are not derailed.
- Ronald Mizen and Angela Macdonald-Smith
‘She’s done’: Sharaz, Higgins ‘mocked’ Reynolds over sick leave
Brittany Higgins and her partner mocked Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds after she took sick leave from parliament, a Perth court has heard.
- Tom Rabe
- Exclusive
- Foreign relations
Japanese fighter jets fly to Darwin as security ties ramp up for China
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa warns the world is at “a turning point” as she heads to Australia for defence and diplomatic talks.
- Andrew Tillett
Defence company boss ousted after tensions over big contracts
Ben Hudson is out as BAE Systems CEO after concerns he was not focused enough on AUKUS submarines.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Federal election
NSW Libs ‘robbed Abbott in 2010’, now Dutton wants to avoid a repeat
Frustrations with the state Liberal Party division stem back to a belief it cost Tony Abbott victory in 2010.
- Phillip Coorey
Private health giant Healthscope hopes for rent relief at 38 hospitals
But Health Minister Mark Butler has ruled out a taxpayer bailout for major private hospital operators, insisting they deal with soaring costs themselves.
- Tom McIlroy and Gus McCubbing
- Exclusive
- International students
World-first EV degree sideswiped by allocation of zero students
It took four years and $4.3 million to get Nova Anglia College ready to open its doors, but the government says it cannot have any overseas students in 2025.
- Julie Hare
Chalmers says ‘our economy is barely growing’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says fighting inflation is his primary concern after low GDP growth; Claims Higgins “mocked” Reynolds after hospitalisation. Follow live updates.
- Lucy Slade
