Anthony Albanese
Opinion
Federal budget
If Chalmers gets the budget wrong, interest rate rises may kill his government
For Treasurer Jim Chalmers, this budget is existential. Bad decisions could increase unemployment or provoke more interest rate rises. Both would be political nails in the government’s coffin.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
ADF chief rejects China spying claim after helicopter flare incident
The incident, where a Chinese jet dropped flares in the path of a navy helicopter, has caused tension between Australia and the nation’s biggest trading partner.
- by Andrew Probyn
Blown-out North East Link’s extra $3.25 billion gets Albanese’s thumbs up
Next week’s federal budget will feature extra money for the blown-out road project, bringing the Commonwealth’s contribution to $5 billion.
- by Broede Carmody
Exclusive
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
University chiefs seek federal advice on ‘intifada’ calls
The universities have written to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to gain formal advice on whether the pro-Palestinian demand is a breach of federal law.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Immigration
Laws for immigration detainees only drafted after landmark High Court ruling
A freedom-of-information request has revealed Home Affairs officials did not draft legislation until after the November High Court ruling on immigration detention.
- by Angus Thompson
Opinion
Political leadership
Albanese’s is an ‘experimental’ government – and it looks like the experiment is failing
It’s the first federal government I’ve seen that has sought to build most of its political and policy mandate after winning office rather than before it.
- by Shaun Carney
Households bank on tax cuts and anti-inflation budget plans
Tax cuts, worth on average $1888, and a further round of cost-of-living measures will be at the heart of Jim Chalmers’ third budget.
- by Shane Wright
‘Stop shifting blame’: Australia, China trade barbs over helicopter incident
The dispute came as Penny Wong announced $110 million in new funding for Tuvalu and confirmed Australia and the tiny island nation would push ahead with a climate resettlement and security treaty inked last year.
- by Matthew Knott
Analysis
China relations
PM’s rinse-and-repeat response to China jet incident will do little to deter aggression
How stable are relations with China if the People’s Liberation Army is regularly putting the lives of Australian military personnel at risk?
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
National security
When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1
Using “security” as a justification for a policy initiative opens the door to interventions that are, in the words of former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry, “frankly, bad”.
- by Ross Gittins
‘Stop provocations’: China fires back at Australia over Yellow Sea flare incident
The encounter has strained efforts to stabilise relations with Beijing and comes as Australian officials prepare to host a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
- by Matthew Knott and Olivia Ireland