Political news and analysis from the ACT and Federal Parliaments
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.
"Put bluntly, our prime minister has wilfully and knowingly misled Australians about some of the most important aspects of their livelihoods – their investments and retirement savings", writes political columnist ROBERT McMAHON.
Could One Nation be the unofficial opposition at the 2028 poll, asks political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"In politics, delay is used to avoid decision making. The establishment of a two-year Citizens’ Jury at the cost of $3.1million simply introduces a new level of the delay tactic," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
An effective ‘reset’ of the NACC should revisit the issue of public hearings, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Pocock’s greatest concern is regarding the untoward and blatant influence of vested interests on political parties, particularly the fossil fuel and gambling industries," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
With the budget in deep deficit, you'd think the government would jump at accessing a pot of federal funding to fix the accommodation problems for the most vulnerable people in public housing. Wrong! says JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED.
"Dictating to others what would be best for the environment is no longer as easy as was once the case. Being flexible enough to compromise is challenging but is the reality of effective politics," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Any move by some current independents to form a party would be fraught, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Anger can get that cut-through and then some. Even if irritating, it stays in our minds longer than a positive message." Columnist ANDREW HUGHES looks at the political power of anger.
As Labor struggles with budget backwash, One Nation surfs a wave, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Something struck me as I watched Jim Chalmers deliver his Budget speech… he failed to mention another type of intergenerational equity: government debt, which is now approaching $1 trillion," writes political columnist ROBERT McMAHON.
"The strife faced by tertiary institutions, as the ANU has shown, indicates there is something terribly wrong. The resignation of the chancellor, vice-chancellor and University Council members won't solve the problems," says MICHAEL MOORE.
Angus Taylor’s bold budget reply is a mix of sound and dubious policy commitments, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"To the end of December, expenses exceeded revenues by $736 million. That is, the ACT Government exceeded the full year deficit forecast of $681 million in a mere six months." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED reveal what the treasurer won't.
"The perception gap is big between what Labor wants us to believe and what living is like in 2026. Cost of living has been a pressure for most of this decade," writes political columnist ANDREW HUGHES.
"Political donations are a blight on any democracy. As the Human Rights Law Centre has pointed out, 'the free flow of money into Australia’s political system threatens the integrity of our democracy'," writes columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Post‑Farrer, the Liberals will struggle with awkward questions about their relations with One Nation, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
