Today
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Coalition eyes Labor’s IR laws as part of WA policy package
The Coalition is developing a specific policy package for WA to try and reclaim lost ground in its former stronghold.
Yesterday
Greens, Libs to play hardball on CFMEU legislation
The union faces three years under administration and big penalties for anyone who tries to interfere. The opposition says the laws are too weak.
This Month
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Short-term politics won’t leave sustainable childcare legacy
Five years ago, Labor promised to subsidise childcare wages and was howled down. Now, it hardly moves the dial.
PM hints at universal childcare by middle of next term
Childcare fees could continue to be capped in return for long-term government wage subsidies.
Labor’s $3.6b pre-election pay boost for childcare workers
The government will fund a 15 per cent, $3.6 billion pay rise for child care workers over the next two years on the proviso their employers agree to limit fee increases until after the election.
Greens’ gas demands would weaken Japan, former envoy claims
Japan would be weakened and Australia’s reputation shattered, if export gas was redirected for domestic use, says Shingo Yamagami.
PM not tough enough on Iranian envoy: Libs
Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has hit out a “Zionist plague”, describing Hamas’ commitment to the “wiping out” of Israel by 2027 as a “heavenly and divine promise”.
- Analysis
- National security
The politics of grievance has become something more sinister
Ever since 9/11, terror alerts and politics have been inseparable, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t substance behind them either.
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Like Howard, Albanese knows two heirs apparent are better than one
Labor’s leadership succession plan seems less obvious than it did six months ago.
Greens prepared to be flexible on housing demands
The Greens say their demands to curb the CGT exemptions and negative gearing deductions are not a condition of their support for housing bills in the Senate
Rex was months behind payments, as ratepayers left to foot bill
The collapse of Regional Express into voluntary administration is bad news for local councils still reeling from the loss of Bonza, which also left unpaid airport fees.
- Exclusive
- Building Bad
Builders demand new CFMEU watchdog, but not deregistration
The building lobby wants a new, more powerful industry watchdog, but agrees that deregistering the CFMEU would be counterproductive.
July
BHP warns on ‘made in Australia’
BHP has warned the Albanese government that its flagship Future Made in Australia policy risks being undercut by the economy’s high costs, unproductive workplace laws, and uncompetitive tax system.
Aussies in Lebanon told: ‘get out while you can’
The government has plans to extract as many as 15,000 citizens from Lebanon using ferries if need be, but is urging them to leave now as there can be no guarantees.
New ministers target CFMEU, people smugglers and Greens
Murray Watt cited a CFMEU clean-out as his number one priority, Clare O’Neil refused to yield to the Greens on housing, and Tony Burke headed to Indonesia to talk tough on people smuggling.
Revolving door of PMs embarrassed Australia: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has acknowledged Labor’s contribution to the chaos that blighted Australian politics for almost two decades.
- Opinion
- Federal election
O’Neil jumps from the frying pan to the fire in deft reshuffle
Anthony Albanese’s reshuffle is a deft piece of people management. No-one can really argue they’ve been demoted, and it plugs holes that needed to be plugged.
Albanese guts Home Affairs in pointed reshuffle
Anthony Albanese has gutted the Home Affairs department and moved aside the two ministers responsible for the troubled Immigration portfolio, in a modest but pointed reshuffle.
Labor Right pushes for extra spot as O’Neil speculation swirls
Speculation is intensifying that Clare O’Neil will be shifted from Home Affairs and be replaced by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
It’s not just Labor that let the CFMEU off the leash
Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson and some independents have played a role in enabling the militant union.
