The Latest Breaking News from Bob Hawke

Insiders who had a front-row seat to the extraordinary political turmoil of the Whitlam dismissal have told their stories, 50 years on from the saga.

“Income inequality hits a 20-year high”. “Housing is less affordable than ever”. “The staggering truth about wage inequality in Australia”. Those are just some of the headlines we’ve seen this year about new research on growing inequality, which often hits younger Australians hardest.

Since 1945, three-quarters of all global economic growth has been driven by technological advances. Since 1990, 90% of that advance has been rooted in fundamental science, according to Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University.

Bob Hawke excelled at finding the middle ground. Can it be found with a treasurer urging boldness and a more cautious PM?

The Making of a Legend details the rise of the peacemaker and king of consensus who made remarkable gains for ordinary Australians

Each month Guardian Australia editors and critics pick the upcoming titles they have devoured – or can’t wait to get their hands on

John Owen Stone AO was a legendary leader of the Commonwealth Treasury. He was secretary (departmental head) from January 1979 to September 1984 but was an intellectual driving force before then as deputy secretary from 1971 to 1978.

Anthony Albanese seems to find himself on eggshells whenever the Australian-American relationship comes up.

Next week will be the 40th anniversary of the Hawke government’s tax summit. Dominated by then treasurer Paul Keating’s unsuccessful bid to win support for a consumption tax, it was the public centrepiece of an extraordinary political and policy story.

When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong went out on Monday to back the United States attack on Iran, it was obvious their support was through gritted teeth.

Former prime minister Paul Keating famously used to say the resident galah in any pet shop was talking about micro-economic policy. These days, if you encounter a pet shop with a galah, she’ll be chattering about productivity.