breaking_news crime, law and justice parties and movements politics

Legal bill bailout to spare ex-Liberal boss bankruptcy

Ousted state Liberal leader John Pesutto will avoid bankruptcy after his party agreed to a loan to settle his $2.3 million debt to a defamed colleague.

crime, law and justice parties and movements politics

Liberal leader’s unity call after $1.5m party bailout

Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin denies he has sided against defamed MP Moira Deeming after supporting a $1.5 million party loan to his predecessor.

election parties and movements politics

Liberals launch high-level probe into election drubbing

A decades-low primary vote and the challenges posed by teal independents will be key elements of a review into the Liberals' crushing federal election loss.

parliament parties and movements politics

Ex-premier tips Liberal leadership change to avoid poll

Rather than face a fourth election in seven years, a former premier believes a state Liberal party will change leaders in a bid to retain power.

breaking_news election parliament parties and movements politics

‘Sad day’ as state faces fourth election in seven years

Ousted in a no-confidence vote, Tasmania's premier will seek re-election amid a backlash over budget debt, bungled new ferries and a contentious stadium plan.

parties and movements political candidates politics politics (general) professional - women general

So assertive: Liberal women rebuke party elder for jibe

A former party president's crack about Liberal women now being "so assertive" has sparked a wave of rebuke from within coalition ranks.

breaking_news parties and movements politics state budget and tax

Liberal premier in crosshairs, fresh election possible

A Liberal state could be heading for a fresh election, with its minority premier vowing to fight on in the face of a no-confidence motion he is set to lose.

breaking_news parties and movements politics

Bombshell defection boosts Labor’s majority in Senate

Greens senator Dorinda Cox has defected to Labor, saying her values better aligned with the government despite having heavily criticised its policies.

indigenous people parties and movements politics

‘Serious test’ for Greens as senator defects to Labor

The Greens will need to decide what they stand for, as the minor party is accused of having lost its way after a second Indigenous senator quits its ranks.

parties and movements politics tennis

Tennis star Liberal MP denies taxpayer-funded car rort

Deputy state Liberal leader Sam Groth has come under internal fire over accusations of improperly using a colleague's taxpayer-funded chauffeured car.

breaking_news parliament parties and movements politics

Coalition chiefs deny settling scores in shadow cabinet

A Liberal senator who oversaw a disastrous work-from-home policy is among the biggest losers as the reunited coalition unveiled its shadow cabinet.

breaking_news parties and movements political candidates political development politics politics (general)

Nationals leader shrugs off job concerns after split

The leader of the Nationals is proud of his party's short-lived decision to walk away from the coalition, even if it costs him his job.

election national elections parties and movements political candidates politics (general)

Fractured coalition to unveil key roles after reunion

Liberal leader Sussan Ley is preparing to announce her leadership team that will include Nationals MPs after the two parties decided to stay together.

alliances election parties and movements politics

Liberals and Nationals ready to fall back in love

Liberal MPs have held urgent talks over policy demands from the Nationals that hold the key to the two long-time partners reuniting in opposition.

alliances breaking_news election parties and movements politics

Olive branches offered for possible coalition reunion

The coalition could reunite just days after splitting as the Nationals and Liberals take their first steps towards a new agreement.

breaking_news parties and movements politics

Commitment issues: Nationals walk away from coalition

The Nationals have blown up the federal coalition following the breakdown of negotiations over key policy issues, including on nuclear power.

parties and movements politics

Hits keep coming for Liberals as party seeks revival

A hefty legal costs bill is just one headache state and federal Liberals have been left grappling with after a bruising few weeks for the party.

election parties and movements politics

‘Might be a bit lonely’: sole Greens MP claims victory

Elizabeth Watson-Brown will be the only Greens member in federal parliament's lower house after she claimed victory in the Brisbane seat of Ryan.

democracy parties and movements political candidates politics professional - women general

Liberal women reject ‘sexist’ criticism of party leader

Suggestions that Sussan Ley might have been handed a poisoned chalice after her historic elevation to federal Liberal leader are being shot down.

breaking_news parties and movements political candidates political systems politics

Climate target not safe after Nationals leadership vote

After settling a leadership battle, the Nationals have a broader fight on their hands as they debate whether to continue backing a key climate target.

parties and movements political candidates politics

Liberals warned to ditch culture wars ahead of vote

The needs of Australians must be prioritised over culture wars, an ex-Liberal has urged, as the party prepares to elect a new leader after its election loss.

election parties and movements politics

Leader unfazed as Greens face losing seats to Labor

The Greens are talking down the prospect of being left without a lower house presence, with leader Adam Bandt defiant as his own fate remains up in the air.

election parties and movements politics poll

‘I’m a fighter’: premier to box on after ‘grim’ polling

Jacinta Allan is wearing the unwanted crown of Australia's most unpopular leader, with polling suggesting she could be a drag on Labor's federal election hopes.

election investigation parties and movements political campaigns politics voting

‘Rock bottom’: Nats leader despairs at state poll loss

The Liberals and Nationals should view an election wipe out like a drug addict hitting rock bottom and realise they need to change, a party leader says.

democracy national elections parties and movements political campaigns politics (general) poll

Voters despair as economic hurdles cloud future

Australians' confidence in the government is at its lowest point since the Black Summer bushfires as their hope for the future wanes.

breaking_news parties and movements political campaigns politics

Labor admits trust damaged after surviving voter revolt

The Liberals have fallen short of a by-election upset in a traditional Labor stronghold after voters took a sledgehammer to the 10-year-old state government.

election parties and movements politics

Ballots and barbs in by-election litmus test for Labor

State Liberals hope voter frustration over living costs and crime will deliver them upsets in two by-elections being held at once in capital city suburbs.

election parliament parties and movements politics

Reckoning looms as Labor, Libs look to shake off woes

A long-time state Labor government is under the pump with crucial by-elections likely to reveal the extent of voters' dissatisfaction after a turbulent summer.

national elections nuclear policy parties and movements political campaigns politics (general) road transport

PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour

The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.

parties and movements politics

Rivals swept aside as leader reveals fresh Battin order

Key supporters of Brad Battin's move to overthrow John Pesutto as Victorian Liberal leader have been rewarded with shadow cabinet promotions.

election national elections parties and movements political campaigns politics road transport

PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz

The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.