D-day looms for nature overhaul but final deal elusive
The environment minister has urged the coalition and Greens to come to the table and do a deal on big reforms to Australia's nature protections.
political systems
Secret report on cronyism comes back to bite Labor
The key finding of a major investigation into "jobs for the boys" across federal politics can be revealed after being kept secret for more than two years.
Brazen lies, ballot box bullies among election antics
From intimidation at polling booths to constant social media nonsense on voting, an inquiry has has been told all about new dark sides of election politics.
Former PM wanted to arrest the man who sacked Whitlam
Two former prime ministers have given a behind-the-scenes look at the machinations leading up to the Whitlam dismissal, 50 years on from the political saga.
Barnaby unlikely to trigger mass exodus from Nationals
Many National Party MPs share Barnaby Joyce's bitter disdain for global climate change targets, but they are unlikely to join his long march to the exit.
China to focus on industrial system, tech self-reliance
China's ruling Communist Party says it will focus on speeding up self-reliance in technology in the coming five years.
France’s Macron pressed to end political ‘mess’
France's President Emmanuel Macron desperately needs a circuit breaker amid growing political chaos.
Ex-Wallabies star kicked out of social sports club
A former Wallabies captain and now senator has been banned from a parliamentary social sports club after raising concerns about a gambling lobby's sponsorship.
‘Sort it out’, junior coalition partner tells Liberals
Nationals leader David Littleproud has begged the Liberals to sort out their squabbling as a fresh poll paints a dire picture for the coalition.
China to halt BHP iron ore cargoes during price talks
China's state-run iron ore buyer has told the country's steelmakers and traders to temporarily halt purchases of all new BHP cargoes.
Dodging popular UK firebrand may not be PM’s best step
Australia's prime minister may have been better meeting a former Brexiteer who leads opinion polls, a leading political analyst says on his UK visit.
MPs seek united front against Labor from torn coalition
Liberals and Nationals are being told to focus on applying the blowtorch to Labor rather than letting infighting take hold after their political marriage ended.
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.
Shock poll predicts historic coalition election wipeout
The coalition's seat count will hit a near-80-year low, one analysis shows, as the opposition backtracks on mooted changes to school lessons.
Gambling reform advocates up pressure in marginal seats
Gambling harm advocates will focus on marginal seats in the final days of the election campaign, urging politicians across the spectrum to find their voice.
Election campaign at half-mast as leaders remember Pope
Election campaign events by Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been cancelled because of the Pope's death, as early voting opens.
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.
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.
Deepfakes harder to detect spurring election concerns
Hyper-realistic digitally altered or created images are becoming harder to detect and platforms designed to detect them are failing to do so, research shows.
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.
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.
Warnings consultants would replace axed public servants
Australians could wait in longer lines and pay more for government services under an opposition plan to cut thousands of public servants, a Labor minister says.
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.
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.
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.
‘Sense of optimism’ as PM rallies Labor, goes on attack
As politicians prepare to hit the hustings, the prime minister welcomes the start of the parliamentary year with confidence and a new attack line.
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.
Major parties rake in over $140m in political donations
Almost half of all donations to Labor, the coalition and the Greens don't have associated donors due to electoral rules, leading to calls for reform.
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.