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.
political candidates
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.
Conservative ‘warrior’: tributes for Liberal stalwart
Kevin Andrews, a steadfast conservative who advocated for traditional family values, is being remembered as a Liberal "warrior" after he died of cancer.
PM’s wicked blitz of the west as Libs enjoy good spell
Anthony Albanese has tried to fight the tide of public opinion by spruiking funding in marginal west coast seats as his opponent takes to the east.
Censures, coffees and a clinched deal: MPs off for Xmas
Parliamentarians are preparing to head home for the year after a far from lacklustre final day in the halls of power.
Eye of political storm nears as focus turns to polls
After passing a flurry of bills at the eleventh hour, Labor is spruiking its wins ahead of a much-anticipated federal election.
Independents up in arms over ‘rigged’ donations reforms
The major political parties have been slammed for "rigging" the system to boost their chances of winning, after agreeing on a political donations reform bills.
‘I’ll do it again’: Lidia Thorpe defies censure motion
A Senate vote to censure Lidia Thorpe has not deterred the independent Indigenous senator, who says she'll use the rebuff as "kindling".
Push to expand Medicare for better mental health access
Australians could have improved access to mental health support under a Greens election proposal to shore up the psychology workforce and expand Medicare.
Harris opens Saturday Night Live with ‘keep Calm-ala’
Kamala Harris has appeared on Saturday Night Live in the final days of the US election campaign, playing the mirror-image of Maya Rudolph's version of her.
Turnout the unknown factor in tight US election: Hockey
As American voters head to the polls, former ambassador Joe Hockey says the upcoming election is the most unpredictable.
US election unpredictable but Australia pact a sure bet
Donald Trump's favouring of trade tariffs concerns some among Australia's political class, but one expert says he and his rival are similar on foreign policy.
Parties set sights on federal poll as state turns blue
A change of government in the Sunshine State has left the major parties pondering a different plan of attack for the upcoming federal election.