The Latest Breaking News from Michelle Grattan

Tuesday November 11 will be the 50th anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government by the then Governor-General Sir John Kerr. It was a dramatic day in our federal political history, with Malcolm Fraser appointed prime minister. Fraser then led the Coalition to a landslide victory in the subsequent…

This weekend, the aged care sector will see a major shakeup that’s been a long time coming. The reforms include a statement of rights for older people who are receiving publicly funded care, as well as putting the system on a more sustainable financial basis, given the growing demands of…

Australia’s history is distinct and much contested, stretching from its First Nations origins, to the impacts of colonialism and the birth of a multicultural nation.

While the Liberals have been performing reasonably well in Parliament lately, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley still finds herself in an unenviable position. Ley’s presiding over a party split over its political identity – and even who should be leading it.

Social cohesion in Australia has been under serious pressure in the last few years. The deadly October 7 attacks on Israel two years ago and the ensuing war in Gaza have pulled at the fabric of Australian society.

The federal opposition, embattled on many fronts, is trying to gain ground by establishing an alternative economic and fiscal narrative to that of the government.

International politics is centre stage again, with world leaders in New York this week for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. On the forefront of the agenda has been the recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Albanese government this week released Australia’s first comprehensive National Climate Risk Assessment.

Immigration has once again become a hot button issue, from weekend protests featuring neo-Nazis to a new A$408 million deal with Nauru to accept former immigration detainees Australia cannot legally deport back to their own countries.

Medicare, aged care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are all key parts of Australians’ lives. But for the federal government, each of these areas – especially growing demand and rising costs – remains a challenge.

Business, union, community representatives and experts have gathered in Canberra to grapple with some of Australia’s most intractable problems: how to make us a more productive, sustainable and resilient country.