Political leadership
Jim Chalmers’ Sunday run finishes at 3.46am. This is his warm-up for the budget
Two days out from Labor’s third federal budget, this masthead was granted behind the scenes access to observe Jim Chalmers preparing to hand down what could be his last budget before the election.
- by James Massola
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State Parliament
Liberals’ new game plan to take on teals – and it involves women
The NSW Liberals ran male candidates in seats where a majority of voters are women. Was it surprising that female teals prevailed?
- by Alexandra Smith
A lesson from the van Gogh of treasurers
This column by former SMH journalist and columnist Alan Ramsey about former Treasurer Paul Keating was first published on December 26, 1987.
- by Alan Ramsey
Analysis
WA budget
$3.4 billion drip feed means no surprises expected in Saffioti’s first budget
This budget will be Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s first after she was elevated to the position in June last year following the retirement of former treasurer and premier Mark McGowan.
- by Hamish Hastie
Opinion
For subscribers
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
‘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
‘Fatally flawed’: Crossbench anger after Senate report stops short of lobbying reform
A Senate inquiry has rebuffed calls for stricter controls on the hundreds of lobbyists who gain access to Parliament House to influence politicians.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
HECS
Until Labor arrests the ballooning cost of uni, students are still being short-changed
It remains to be seen how much difference a sometimes-reduced rate of indexation is going to make. Certainly, some. But the root of the problem remains.
- by Rachel Withers
Exclusive
For subscribers
Men swing support to Dutton as Labor loses ground in battleground states
An exclusive survey shows male voters cut their support for Labor from 37 per cent in the final months of 2023 to 31 per cent in the first months of 2024.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Renting
The art of good government: Slow and steady won’t win Albanese the race
As the nation confronts serial crises, the Albanese government needs to operate at two speeds: swift and targeted – then slow and sustained.
- by Sean Kelly