UK’s Starmer faces battle for survival as rivals circle
Disastrous results for Labour in local elections have plunged Britain into a new crisis, as calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign grow.
politics
Coalition’s bracket creep plan to cost tens of billions
The coalition's economic plan for Australia would hand back more money to workers by indexing tax rates to inflation at a cost of tens of billions of dollars.
State integrity brawl spills into MPs’ private lives
A heated political row over integrity and conflicts of interest has erupted into a slanging match about MPs' private lives in a state parliament.
UK’s Starmer defies ‘destabilising’ calls to quit
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told ministers he has no intention to resign and is getting on with governing amid calls in his party for him to go.
Critics pay out on PM for ‘cowardly’ gambling reforms
The Albanese government has drawn scorn from political rivals after tabling its response to the Murphy report on gambling reform in the shadow of the budget.
Bleak outlook for national economy if Iran war drags on
Higher budget spending won't help the Reserve Bank, economists warn, as a prolonged war in the Middle East is forecast to push inflation above seven per cent.
Tax relief for workers and pain for investors in budget
Australians who earn a wage will get $250 in tax relief as part of Labor's budget, but investors and wealthy families could be left worse off.
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
An extra $114 billion in federal government spending will be directed off-budget as the treasurer claims a "historically responsible" fiscal update.
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
A new $250 a year tax offset gives the government an option to return bracket creep directly to working Australians, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
UK PM Keir Starmer to stare down leadership rival
Keir Starmer is digging in and refusing to quit as his colleagues descend into open division over the British prime minister's future.
Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for talks with counterpart Xi Jinping that are set to cover the Middle East, trade and Taiwan.
Hanson refuses to condemn volunteer’s extremist posts
The social media history of a prominent One Nation volunteer has been called into question as the party's victor from Farrer arrives in Canberra.
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
Budget announcements for green industry and nature protection fall short as climate costs mount and opportunities to extract more fossil fuel income go missed.
Rival’s threat to Starmer overshadows King’s Speech
Any hopes Prime Minister Keir Starmer had that the King's Speech would help him move on from his leadership woes, they were dashed by a colleague's shock move.
UK PM’s leadership woes overshadow parliament’s opening
Not even the pomp and ceremony of a speech by King Charles reopening parliament could distract from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership woes.
Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a raft of economic policies aimed at winning back voter support and countering the rise of One Nation.
Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit
US President Donald Trump is expected to ask for China's help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict with Iran, which he launched in late February.
Pleas for humanity in justice after teen dies in jail
A death in custody is sparking renewed calls for a government to change the way it deals with incarceration and to shed its "populist law and order agenda".
Mishandling Taiwan could spark conflict, Xi tells Trump
China's Xi Jinping has praised the progress of US trade talks but cautioned President Donald Trump that differences over Taiwan could result in confrontation.
Ex-premier’s partner banned from contact in rape case
The partner of a former state premier will surrender his passport as part of bail conditions after being accused of rape and deprivation of liberty.
‘Troubling’ crackdowns no fix to homelessness crisis
Strained by chronic housing supply challenges, a leading researcher has warned councils against forcibly removing their homeless populations.
Free meningococcal jabs for some but ‘lottery’ persists
A fourth Australian jurisdiction will provide free jabs to some teens for a rare but life-threatening disease as the push for national coverage marches on.
Gas project model pours cold water on emissions goal
Modelling examining a $30 billion-plus offshore gas proposal has drawn conclusions on the likelihood of a major state reaching a 2050 emissions target.
Rail project axing pulls ‘economic rug’ from regions
The Nationals have urged the federal government not to scrap billions of dollars of funding for the inland rail project ahead of the federal budget.
‘A problem for us’: coalition reveals One Nation fears
The Liberal and National parties aren't seen as parties of conviction, the opposition leader says after One Nation's historic victory in a by-election.
Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young
Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.
UK govt aides quit as 60 Labour MPs urge Starmer to go
Four government aides have resigned as they joined scores of Labour MPs calling for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stand down after local election results.
Doubts tougher penalties will deter crime gangs
A former cop and criminologist warns new laws increasing jail time for criminal syndicates won't deter them or the teens they hire to do their dirty work.
Premier digs in as ‘love story’ sparks integrity war
A political "love story" has morphed into an all‑out integrity brawl, with one premier under siege over what he knew and who really called the Olympic shots.
‘Forgotten dreams’: Aussie artist dazzles at Venice
After much fanfare and controversy, crowds are marvelling at Khaled Sabsabi's work in Venice as he brings western Sydney's diversity to life on a world stage.
Gas tax hopes flicker as reservation scheme revealed
Big gas companies will need to inject more LNG into the Australian market under a plan aimed at bringing down prices and shoring up supply.