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politics
politics January 31, 2026
The implosion over hate laws is a bad start to the Coalition’s new year and for supporters of good government. The situation is existential, but the outcome is not preordained. Liberals and Nationals have agency to affect the outcome. History...
politics January 30, 2026
Albanese’s time to reassess ties to the US
The world as we know it is changing fast. It is not at all clear what the seating arrangements will be or who will be leading the opposition when parliament resumes next Tuesday. At face value, the disarray of its opponents is a gift for the...
politics January 24, 2026
New Year resolutions for the treasurer
Did you sign up for the gym this month? Perhaps you cancelled your Uber Eats account? This is the season for resolutions – the time when many of us commit to eating better, exercising more and getting off our phones. Treasurer Jim Chalmers should...
politics January 24, 2026
A minister for social cohesion
A most important national challenge to all involved in our political process – especially government, opposition and media – is to restore social cohesion. Surely one of our great national successes was to build a tolerant and effective multi-ethnic...
politics January 23, 2026
A brief history of Liberal Party collapses
Deep dysfunction on the conservative side of politics has led to the end of the federal Coalition after the Nationals embarrassed the Liberals over the Albanese government’s hate speech bill. The Nationals betrayed a shadow cabinet commitment on...
politics January 16, 2026
Has government by spin had its day?
The lazy summer days between the end of Test cricket and the start of the Australian Open tennis usually allow time for musing. This year the absence of a recognised spin bowler in the Brisbane and Sydney Test matches raised the question of whether...
politics January 10, 2026
Has Trump learnt nothing from George W. Bush’s disaster in Iraq?
The new year opens on an explosion of global uncertainty, with Donald Trump yet again at the epicentre. Why this extraordinary invasion of Venezuela, and where will it lead? First, it is important to look at the context in which this action was...
politics January 9, 2026
What the royal commission says about Albanese’s character
An extraordinary opening week in Australian politics in 2026 has seen a full-court press of business, sporting, security and political figures force Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to embrace a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack...
politics December 19, 2025
On Sunday, the lifesavers at Australia’s most iconic beach turned surfboards into stretchers and ferried wounded victims of this country’s worst terrorist attack to waiting ambulances. According to an ABC fact check, more than 100 shots were fired...
environment December 13, 2025
ANALYSIS: “We need better local gas pricing For Australia, that means doing something hitherto unthought of: telling multinationals that the cost of doing business here is to provide better prices for Australians. These firms can then make up the difference through their export price.”
politics December 13, 2025
Before reflecting on the peaks and troughs of Australian politics in this tumultuous year, I want to emphasise the significantly more challenging environment, both globally and domestically. The challenges have largely arisen from Donald Trump...
