The Latest Breaking News from Ted OBrien

Grattan on Friday: Can Jim Chalmers reap a healthy crop with the help of his big worm farm?

One observer describes next week’s economic roundtable this way: “Chalmers has opened a can of worms – and everybody has got a worm”.

The Conversation · Aug 14, 2025

Federal election feel like ages ago? Parliament is now back. Here’s your political refresher

Despite many pre-election predictions, the 48th Australian parliament looks quite similar to the 47th. The Labor Party has greater representation than before: 94 Members of the House of Representatives (up from 77) and 29 Senators (up from 26).

The Conversation · Jul 20, 2025

More results needed from PM's China trip: Liberals

The opposition has criticised Anthony Albanese's recent visit to China, saying more concrete results were needed from the trip.

AAP · Jul 19, 2025

Business, union divisions threaten to derail PM summit

The prime minister hopes business groups and unions will unite to address a lagging economy but there are already signs of division before a planned summit.

AAP · Jun 10, 2025

Day of high drama in Tasmanian politics – as it happened

This blog is now closed

The Guardian - AU · Jun 4, 2025

View from the Hill: Liberals and Nationals patch things up and announce a shadow ministry

Two Victorian Liberal women, Jane Hume and Sarah Henderson, have been dumped and a key numbers man has been promoted from the backbench to the shadow cabinet in the new frontbench announced by Coalition leaders Sussan Ley and David Littleproud.

The Conversation · May 28, 2025

After the Coalition’s very public split, I can only offer this time-honoured breakup advice: work on yourself

The Nationals say they’re doing this ‘for the right reasons’, and part of you has to respect that – provided it’s the part incapable of adding up numbers

The Guardian - AU · May 21, 2025

Sussan Ley makes history, but faces unprecedented levels of difficulty

As if by visual metaphor, Sussan Ley’s task seemed both obvious and impossible in her first press conference as the new Liberal leader.

The Conversation · May 13, 2025

View from The Hill: Ley says Liberals must ‘meet the people where they are’, but how can a divided party do that?

Cynics point out that when a party turns to a woman leader, it is often handing her a hot mess. That’s certainly so with the federal Liberals, now choosing their first female leader in eight decades.

The Conversation · May 13, 2025

Liberals elect first woman leader, with Ley defeating Taylor 29-25

The federal Liberal party has elected its first female leader, with Sussan Ley narrowly defeating Angus Taylor, 29-25.

The Conversation · May 13, 2025