Opposition in search of a spine and policy smarts
"More than a year after its walloping at the last election, the Coalition’s policy machinery looks positively anaemic; a policy vacuum," writes political columnist ROBERT McMAHON.
Political commentary
"One Nation’s – Hanson’s – attack on Andrew Hastie as a 'traitor' was one of the more appalling examples of political leadership I have seen in 30 years of observing and analysing Australian politics," writes columnist ROBERT McMAHON.
Six weeks after aborting his first attempt, Tony Burke has finally unveiled Labor’s migration overhaul – only to leave the government vulnerable from both sides of the debate, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Across the three financial years leading to 2025-26 the government spent almost $130 million on medical negligence claims." But that's not all, reports MICHAEL MOORE, there are millions lost to ACT Government incompetence every year.
Political commentary
Skating rink: Labor puts more promises on ice
"Although politics is often framed in the news as agree or disagree, the tactic used most regularly is delay. The Labor government is the master of delay, and then one further step to shelve ideas or promises," writes MICHAEL MOORE.
Political commentary
They’re rebranding the PM and here’s why…
"Going for three or more election wins is difficult. Very, very few can maintain that level of resonance across an entire nation of voters in a compulsory voting system for anyone aged over 18," writes political columnist ANDREW HUGHES.
Political commentary
Albanese lashes Hanson over attack on his mother
Anthony Albanese has hit back angrily and emotionally at Pauline Hanson for saying his late mother should not have lived in public housing for decades, writes MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN says Peter Malinauskas has challenged the prevailing political mood on migration, warning a race to slash numbers would amount to economic self-harm.
Pauline Hanson’s “I don’t back down” approach faces two very different tests as One Nation fights Andrew Hastie while standing behind its controversial Victorian leader, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"There should have been a strong response to the video the day after it appeared, a joint response from Albo and Angus (and Matt) showing a united disgust at the 'traitor' allegation," writes HUGH SELBY.
Andrew Hastie’s increasingly fierce campaign against One Nation has turned personal as he accuses Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce of trashing his military record, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Having attacked Coalition grants controversies from opposition, Labor now finds itself defending a program heavily skewed towards its own electorates, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN reports former Grattan Institute head John Daley has backed the “core” of One Nation’s controversial super plan, arguing most Australians don’t need to save 12 per cent of their wages for retirement.
Jim Chalmers says the next election will be an “existential moment” for compulsory super, as Treasury projections strengthen Labor’s case against early access, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"A vacuum has been created through the unions’ lack of influence even over Labor governments. It is big business lobbyists that fill the gap. Their role is to ensure that business profits increase," writes MICHAEL MOORE.
Pauline Hanson’s super plan may be high on populism and low on economic support but it has once again left the Liberals scrambling to respond, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Especially at this troubled point in our national history, it would have been valuable for the census to have included an extra tick-box to record the presence and lives of Jews in Australia," writes political columnist ROBERT McMAHON.
The “Howard battlers” and “Tony’s tradies” have become Pauline Hanson’s political heartland, leaving the major parties scrambling to win them back, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Australia’s economic “speed limit” has fallen as productivity stalls, leaving AI as only part of the solution to a much bigger problem, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
