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.
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PM poll pledge to slash cost of hundreds of medicines
The maximum price of many prescription medicines will be reduced to $25 as part of Labor's re-election plan to bring down healthcare costs.
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.
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.
Independent makes minority government ‘safeguard’ pitch
A senator vying for re-election has positioned himself as a safeguard in a minority government as his campaign kicks off.
Climate 200-backed candidates edging out incumbents
Momentum is building for Climate 200-backed independents as they claw away at major party margins and have a strong chance of being elected at the federal poll.
Palmer pledges big biscuits for Patriots election blitz
Billionaire Clive Palmer has munched on a favourite Australian snack while expounding on his new party's Trump-style policies and promising to spend big on ads.
PM downplays personal poll lift as Labor maintains lead
Anthony Albanese has improved his standing among voters, drawing level with Peter Dutton for satisfaction in polling for the first time in a year.
Political truth laws get tick, AI threat to poll pruned
Labor is being criticised for being hypocritical over truth in political advertising laws, after supporting the action despite icing progress on the reform.
One rate dip won’t cut it with voters who want action
Most Australians blame big corporations and not government for the rising cost of living so a lone interest rate cut won't sway their vote, polling indicates.
Independents seize on ‘unfair’ deal to boost campaign
David Pocock is going on tour to visit other independent candidates challenging major party MPs after electoral changes he brands as unfair were rammed through.
Caution urged over polls as Labor bleeds support
A warning has been issued over election polling as tightly clustered results in a close race may not reflect Australians' votes.
Controversial electoral reforms cap donations, spending
Crossbenchers and independents are up in arms over reforms they argue stack the playing field towards the major parties by limiting their campaign resources.
Anger in halls of power over ‘unfair’ electoral reforms
Federal MPs have clashed in a Parliament House corridor over political donation laws which loom as a sticking point in minority government negotiations.
Greens concede Prahran as Werribee hangs in the balance
A Liberal candidate has wrested an inner-city seat from the Greens in one of two state by-elections, as the other political contest remains too close to call.
Invincible no more: by-election puts Labor on notice
With a state by-election result hanging on a knife edge, voters have fired a "warning shot" at Labor ahead of the upcoming federal election.
‘Hold the line’: politicians say goodbye ahead of poll
Retiring politicians have issued rallying calls to the nation to remain optimistic about the future as they bid farewell ahead of a federal election.
Draft electoral donations cap to be raised after talks
Draft caps and thresholds for federal election spending will increase as Labor negotiates with the Liberals to pass electoral reform before parliament rises.
Teals bet on hung parliament to force gambling ad ban
Independent crossbenchers will leverage their votes in a minority government to force action on banning betting advertising after Labor failed to act.
Unlikely alliance spells danger for Labor in key seats
A federal candidate backed by The Muslim Vote is in negotiations with the Liberals, Greens and other independents to preference Labor last in a must-win seat.
Mystery money for MPs shines light on ‘dark’ donations
Independents want greater transparency into who is bankrolling political parties, with the origins of almost half of donations a mystery.
Minority report tips a return to ‘ruthless’ opposition
History could be repeated as the possibility of a minority government looms but veteran politicians say this could resurrect a ruthless opposition force.
Bill Shorten to quit politics early, sparking reshuffle
Retiring Labor minister Bill Shorten will leave politics earlier than expected, giving his party the opportunity for a refresh before the federal election.
Pollies draw up election blueprints as vote looms
With just a few months before Australians hit the polls, the major parties have their work cut out for them as they scramble to perfect their public images.
Cost of living in mind as Labor clutches purse strings
Voters are crying out for more measures to combat the rising cost of living with a federal election looming as Labor preaches responsible economic management.
Doubt cast over ‘crude’ plan to ban CFMEU from project
Members of the troubled CFMEU could be banned from working on a multi-billion-dollar project under a coalition plan to fix one of Australia's longest roads.
PM rounds up pre-election tour in cattle country
An early start to the political year has landed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in cattle country, where he has been spruiking the importance of the industry.
Retiring backbencher gifts a lump of coal for Christmas
A retiring backbencher known for his staunch opposition of a net-zero carbon emissions target has taken a swipe at his party leader on his way out the door.
Libs Battin down the hatches as leader outlines vision
Brad Battin has vowed to tackle the cost of living, crime, budget repair and regional roads after ousting John Pesutto as Victoria's Liberal party leader.
Liberal leader promises party unity after messy battle
Brad Battin has paid his respects to former leader John Pesutto after taking his place at the helm of the Victorian Liberals.