Port becomes political football but is ‘not for sale’
A major port leased to a Chinese company is in the sights of a takeover as the coalition and Labor flag plans for it to be brought back into Australian hands.
political campaigns
No child’s play for Nationals in regional battleground
National Party leader David Littleproud has kicked off a renewed battle to win back a key coalition seat, promising to even the score in regional Australia.
Greens flag new condition in event of a hung parliament
A minority party will push for one per cent of the federal budget to be spent on "restoring" nature if the election produces a hung parliament.
Housing and crime spearhead Dutton’s pitch in key seats
Community safety is a key tenet of Peter Dutton's pitch to voters as he positions himself as a strong leader in contrast to a prime minister he brands as weak.
U-turn on gas-guzzler fines could penalise motorists
Carmakers who fail to meet environmental standards will not be penalised under proposed changes expected during the election campaign.
PM derides ‘aggro’ Dutton as US tariff threat looms
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are talking up their credentials for dealing with Donald Trump as they brace for potentially far-reaching American tariffs.
‘Doing it for them’: independent aiming to oust Dutton
A "divisive" Peter Dutton is more interested in clinching the nation's top job than working for his electorate, says an independent looking to unseat him.
Managing Trump, tariffs looms large in bid for votes
Australia's political leaders say biosecurity and medicines are not up for debate in response to tariffs set to be announced by US President Donald Trump
Dutton’s airport link plan branded ‘April Fools’ joke’
A federal coalition plan to "redirect" funding for a controversial Melbourne rail loop project to an airport link has been slammed by state Labor.
Albanese takes fight to Dutton in his own backyard
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken the election fight to Peter Dutton's home turf, kicking off his campaign in the opposition leader's electorate.
PM fires Medicare shots as opposition digs in on energy
Health care and power bill promises have dominated day one of the federal election campaign as political leaders converged on the Sunshine State.
Libs home in on small business for power bill election
Australians are being asked to trust the coalition to reduce energy bills and supercharge business as the opposition leader attacks Labor over a broken promise.
‘Bad for your mental health’: MPs downplay polls trend
Labor could be in the box seat to form the next government, according to three major opinion polls, but both major parties are playing down their significance.
Health top of mind as PM takes battle to the wild west
Health and Australia's west remain top priorities for Labor as Anthony Albanese visits WA for the 30th time as prime minister.
Dutton becomes the Hunter as he attacks key coast seats
Two of Labor's blue-collar, coal mining seats are in Peter Dutton's sights as he uses his nuclear and gas policies to sell his key pledge of cheaper bills.
Greens warn major parties as minority government looms
Minority government is coming and the major parties ought to prepare, Greens leader Adam Bandt says as more voters turn to crossbenchers.
Coalition energises race for votes with gas and petrol
The coalition have pledged gas investment to bring down power prices as they position themselves as stronger leaders for the nation ahead of the election.
Leaders eyeball each other as campaign kicks off
The election campaign is finally official - and Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are wasting no time telling voters why they should vote for their parties.
Australians to cast federal election vote on May 3
Australians will cast their ballot on May 3, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ending months of speculation about the timing of the next federal election.
Government kicks can down the road on climate target
Labor has refused to reveal Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target before the election, despite it being the subject of cabinet debate for over a year.
Prime minister keen to pop coalition ‘thought bubbles’
Unofficial campaigning has sparked backed up with the PM cradling babies on one side of the country and opposition leader talking gardens on the other.
Chronic patients get most relief in medicine cost cut
Patients could save almost $7 on each prescription as the government promises to make medicines cheaper in a move supported by the coalition.
Pauline Hanson eyes cuts on grog tax, climate spending
Pauline Hanson is taking aim at climate change spending, public servants and First Nations agencies in a bid to address the cost of living.
Safety over politics: motoring groups call for change
Australia's peak motoring body will encourage its 9.5 million members to challenge federal election candidates on road safety, amid calls for more transparency.
Major parties neck and neck as election draws closer
The latest YouGov poll shows the coalition has clawed back ground to be tied with the government on a two-party preferred basis.
Suburbs turn back on coalition over work-from-home ban
Mortgage-belt electorates have shifted towards Labor after the coalition pledged to force public servants back to the office.
Climate fight here and now, and linked to living costs
Fighting misinformation and communicating the link between cost of living and back-to-back weather disasters are key priorities for climate advocates.
Public service jobs on line as poll battlelines form
The coalition has doubled down on plans to axe public service jobs if elected as the prime minister goes into bat for Australians working from home.
Labor ‘unashamed’ in pitch for cost of living vote
The federal budget will deliver help for working people, Anthony Albanese declares, as Labor tries to draw the opposition into revealing its hand.
Budging Labor incumbents huge task even for Muslim Vote
Support of Muslim political groups won't be enough to get independents over the line against entrenched senior Labor figures without a Liberal preference deal.
Battle lines drawn over tax cuts as election looms
Universal $5 a week tax cuts are being raced through parliament as debate around cost of living intensifies ahead of the federal election.