Political news and analysis from the ACT and Federal Parliaments
"Mark Parton has done a solid job talking to us. His engagement on the rising youth crime in Canberra, ovals being trashed, and use of social media, are all good to see," writes political columnist ANDREW HUGHES.
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN finds more Australians are becoming wary of the economy, multiculturalism and the US in her analysis of the latest 2026 poll by the Lowy Institute.
"The most disturbing response came from Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who argued: 'Ministers do not personally administer large and complex directorates.' It seems the government missed the point," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Albanese government may have given ground on tax but there are two other core issues on which the Labor finds itself in policy quicksand, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
International conflict expert JESSICA GENAUER breaks down the 14-point peace deal signed by the leaders of the US and Iran – a deal, which leaves a lot to be desired, with lot of concessions and empty promises from Trump.
If you had to sum up One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's first appearance at the National Press Club on Wednesday in one word, it would be defiant, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
'Total Territory borrowings are forecast to reach a staggering $23.7 billion.' JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED take a deep breath and say: 'The budget is in a worse condition, and its forecasts are even less credible than the previous years.'
"A myriad of failures in planning have been made since self-government. Planning Minister Chris Steel is about to preside over the most significant of the failures," despairs political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
With Liberal Party's Jonno Duniam the latest politician to call quits, political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN writes how contemporary political life has become crazy due to hyper-professionalisation of the job.
Now that a peace deal may bring an end to the Iran war, emeritus professor on Middle Eastern studies AMIN SAIKAL decodes what was it all about in the first place and what did the US and Israel truly achieve.
"The government has signalled that we are all best off as wage slaves depositing our compulsory 12 per cent into super and looking forward to a government-approved modest retirement," writes ROBERT McMAHON.
Liberal Party senator for Tasmania and home affairs shadow minister Jonno Duniam will be missed as a good negotiator in the Senate and a strong media performer, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
There are multiple reasons why alienated voters might be donating to One Nation's fund-raising campaign, not least of which could be due to Albanese's cavalier breaking of election promises, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
The backlash against Labor’s budget may say less about reform than what critics think, writes CHRIS WALLACE.
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN looks at what lies ahead for the Liberal party in the wake of its new activist federal president Tony Abbott's upcoming tour around the country.
"The next election is more than 700 days away. Two more budgets. A lot of water under the bridge. Things will be different to now, especially economically. That difference, in time alone, is One Nation’s biggest foe," writes ANDREW HUGHES.
"Eslake's final report confirms everything we have written in these columns for years – persistent deficits, mounting debt and interest impacting on social services." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED critique the independent economist's review.
While Labor is increasingly concerned about the potential longer-term threat of Hanson, this week its attention was squarely on more immediate problems, including Ed Husic's call for a caucus, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
From Ed Husic calling for fresh caucus vote to Peter Garrett leading a public inquiry, Labor's AUKUS submarine program has hit rough waters, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
