Buoyant Albanese plots next phase of Labor dynasty
Childcare reform, cutting HECS debt, enshrining penalty rates and initiating a new class of Labor MPs are the prime minister's priorities as parliament resumes.
politics
Epstein grand jury transcripts ‘a distraction’
The Trump administration has moved to release grand jury transcripts in the Jeffrey Epstein case, but former prosecutors say they will likely be anticlimactic.
Political leaders come face to face on new battleground
Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley have stood side by side as political leaders for the first time as they prepare for federal parliament to return.
‘Incredibly disturbing’: federal help for algae crisis
Millions of dollars in federal funding have been pledged to tackle a massive and toxic algal bloom choking life along a state's coast and waterways.
Protests take over from pageantry as parliament returns
Protests in and around Parliament House threatened to disrupt proceedings as the nation's politicians went through the traditional ceremonies of being sworn in.
Libs make first pitch to kingmakers in race to govern
A Liberal leader has made his first play to form government with balance-of-power independents after a state election that delivered another hung parliament.
US ‘not going to rush’ trade deals ahead of deadline
With the threat of US tariffs looming, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says his government is more focused on the quality of trade deals, not their timing.
Last-ditch bid in knife-edge seat might not change fate
One of the most closely fought battles of the federal election faces a legal challenge, but one expert does not expect the result to flip.
Trump is ‘disappointed but not done’ with Putin
President Donald Trump remains unhappy with Vladimir Putin's resistance to US-led peace efforts over Ukraine but says he hasn't given up on the Russian leader.
Kremlin reacts icily to Trump warnings over Ukraine
President Donald Trump's new weapons for Ukraine and trade threats to Russia have met a chilly response from the Kremlin and blunter words from other quarters.
Trump touts deal with Indonesia, flags pharma tariffs
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to a tariff deal on goods entering the US from Indonesia.
Heavy-hitter urges return of ‘world’s best’ carbon tax
One of the nation's most prominent economists says Australia should not have scrapped its carbon tax, but there are other ways to take action on climate.
Change to be forced on ‘violent, misogynist’ CFMEU
An administrator has vowed to sack more CFMEU members to initiate a culture change after a report exposed the union's aggressive intimidation tactics.
Plan to rid anti-Jew ‘cancer’ targets uni, arts funding
Universities and cultural bodies that fail to act against anti-Semitism could have their funding terminated as part of a blueprint to combat discrimination.
Report critical test of Great Barrier Reef’s health
Conservationists have warned Australia is falling short on protecting the Great Barrier Reef as the nation prepares to table another report into its management.
Damning review: assaults, kids in crowded watch houses
Stronger bail laws have resulted in children spending more time in adult watch houses as police face recommendations from a review.
‘Extraordinary overreach’: anti-Semitism report blasted
A pro-Palestinian artist has taken aim at recommendations to crack down on anti-Semitism, branding them part of a strategy to achieve "cultural apartheid".
Brazil’s Lula pledges retaliation to Trump tariffs
"If there's no negotiation, the law of reciprocity will be put into practice," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says of the US tariffs.
Secret Service agents punished over Trump shoot attempt
The US Secret Service "has taken many steps to ensure such an event can never be repeated," it says of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
Trump slaps big tariff on Canada, eyes hikes for others
In the latest salvo of US President Donald Trump's trade war, he wants to hit Canada with 35 per cent tariffs and other nations with levies up to 20 per cent.
‘Free and safe’ Indo-Pacific eyed in trilateral deal
Australia, the United States and Japan have signed a trilateral deal that "sends a message" to any nation threatening safety in the Indo-Pacific.
EU waits as Trump keeps world guessing on tariff plans
European Union officials believe they may receive a letter from US President Donald Trump outlining tariff levels for the bloc.
Fallout over non-release of Epstein files escalates
The fallout from the Epstein files is cascading, further roiling a Justice Department and FBI that have struggled to appease the demands of Donald Trump's base.
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of new tariffs
In an escalation of the global trade wars, US President Donald Trump has slapped the EU and Mexico with 30 per cent tariffs.
Trump defends Bondi amid backlash over Epstein files
Donald Trump has urged supporters to focus on MAGA unity as conservative figures criticise his administration over the Jeffrey Epstein findings.
Australia resists US push to declare future war role
Australia is standing firm against US pressure to declare what part it could play in a broader conflict against the backdrop of a key trip to China.
Powerful inquiry to probe CFMEU’s ‘thug’ culture
A state inquiry will target violence, misogyny and standover tactics within the CFMEU as a premier vows to fix the building union's broken culture.
Accused abuser worked after childcare misconduct claims
A state government has backed its handling of a childcare abuse scandal in the wake of fresh revelations about the man's worrying behaviour.
More holidays in richest state could boost productivity
A public holiday review is under way in a western state to potentially better align it with the rest of country and boost productivity.
Political tensions muddy PM’s Chinese green steel push
Efforts to end Chinese ownership of an Australian port highlight challenges to the prime minister's ambition to grow business ties between the two nations.
SKorea trade envoy hoping for deal with US by deadline
South Korea is racing to reach a compromise trade pact in the hope of avoiding a 25 per cent tariff slapped on exports by US President Donald Trump.