Labor summit 'most united' but Israel debate quashed Anthony Albanese has singled out unity among Labor delegates at the party's triennial policy summit but contentious issues remained off the conference floor. AAP · Jul 24
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Wayne Swan on a ‘dramatically different’ political contest Next week, Labor will hold its 50th national conference in Adelaide. After the party’s record 94-seat win at last year’s federal election, its members should have plenty to celebrate. Yet since that election, both Labor and the Coalition have watched their support erode, largely in favour of One Nation. The Conversation · Jul 15
Free rides after Telstra woes hit the brakes on trains Regional commuters will be allowed to travel for free for two days after a nationwide mobile network outage brought regional trains to a grinding halt. AAP · Jul 10
Wayne Swan likens Hanson to Trump and says Labor must stop One Nation’s ‘dark, dystopic picture of the future’ Australian Labor party president says authoritarian trends must not be ‘normalised’ in Australia The Guardian - AU · Jun 26
'Smokescreen': Labor hits out at One Nation fundraising Labor is painting One Nation as the party of billionaires, pouring scorn on claims the minor party has raised millions of dollars from grassroots supporters. AAP · Jun 12
Pauline Hanson says she takes policy advice from Gina Rinehart as Nationals rule out deal with One Nation Matt Canavan says he supports Hanson’s anti-Labor ‘fire the liar’ fundraising campaign but will not sign up to a joint election strategy The Guardian - AU · Jun 12
View from The Hill: Tony Abbott to tour the country, trying to energise Liberals Tony Abbott, the Liberals’ new activist federal president, is preparing to convene meetings around the country in an effort to drum up membership and support for the struggling party. The Conversation · Jun 9
'Fall from grace': Australia reacts after royal arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, could face life in jail if found guilty of leaking secret documents to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. AAP · Feb 19
Responsibility, not legacy driving Chalmers to reform Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable will likely present some low-hanging fruit around regulation but hefty tax reform will be more challenging for him to grasp. AAP · Aug 15, 2025
Silver lining for depleted Liberals in teal contests Despite its emphatic election loss, the depleted coalition could still reclaim at least one inner-city seat from an incumbent teal independent. AAP · May 5, 2025
Go get tested: Barnaby Joyce reveals cancer diagnosis Federal Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has revealed he will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. AAP · May 4, 2025
This week’s federal budget will focus on cost-of-living measures – and a more uncertain global economy Treasurer Jim Chalmers will bring down the federal budget on Tuesday. The Conversation · Mar 23, 2025
Cbus takes 'complete responsibility' for payout mess The Cbus chair, who's faced calls to resign after the superannuation fund delayed disability and death payments, says he will ensure it never happens again. AAP · Nov 14, 2024
Treasurer distances himself from his former boss’ Reserve Bank attack Treasurer Jim Chalmers has distanced himself from the strident attack his one-time boss Wayne Swan launched on the Reserve Bank, which the former treasurer accused of “putting economic dogma over rational decision-making”. The Conversation · Sep 8, 2024
AAP · Sep 8, 2024 Treasurer backs inflation target, despite rates risk Jim Chalmers has acknowledged there's tension between fiscal and monetary policy, but argues the government and the central bank have the same objective.
The Conversation · Sep 3, 2024 The Greens want a super-profits tax. Labor and business used to like the idea too When the Greens proposed an extra super-profits tax on the excessive part of really excessive profits last week, business and the government acted as if the sky was about to fall in.
The Guardian - AU · Aug 17, 2023 ALP national conference day one – as it happened This blog is now closed.
The Conversation · Aug 10, 2023 Politics with Michelle Grattan: Labor president Wayne Swan on the party's coming national conference Next week the Labor Party will hold its national conference in Brisbane. It’s the first face-to-face conference in five years. These conferences don’t have anything like the bite they once did, but there’s still a chance for the party’s rank and file to have a shout about issues. More than…
The Conversation · Jul 26, 2023 Chris Barrett has a formidable job ahead as the new Productivity Commission chief This week’s appointment of Wayne Swan’s former chief of staff Chris Barrett to head the Productivity Commission puts the annual Trade and Assistance Review it released this month under a more searching spotlight than usual.
The New Daily · Apr 21, 2023 The Treasurer has great ideas, but barely a chance to them into action The Treasurer's upcoming budget will be difficult. So difficult that it’s unlikely to see any reforms to rein in spending or grow revenue .
The New Daily · Oct 23, 2022 Alan Kohler: Deficits and debt are about politics, not economics Chalmers' budget has no surpluses, only deficit and debt. His “big national conversation” needs to be about why that’s OK.
The New Daily · Oct 22, 2022 As Jim Chalmers prepares for the challenges ahead, these loyalties will help sustain him Behind the doctorate, drive and disarming drawl of Jim Chalmers lies a treasure chest of friendships, David Fagan writes.
The Guardian - AU · Oct 21, 2022 Chalmers offensive: crunch time as treasurer faces first federal budget A volatile global economy looms as Jim Chalmers assembles the Albanese government’s inaugural budget, where he will be judged on delivering on election promises while exercising restraint
AAP · Oct 21, 2022 The man behind Labor's first budget The treasurer with working class roots is aiming to deliver a "responsible" first budget without leaving the vulnerable behind.
The New Daily · Oct 10, 2022 Stage-three tax cuts spark bigger question about trust in government Treasurer Jim Chalmers is bracing for grim news this week in Washington DC from the world’s pre-eminent financial movers and shakers.