Political news and analysis from the ACT and Federal Parliaments
"The temptation for legislators is to seek convenient solutions. However, when a Commissioner for Human Rights can challenge legislators to rethink bills it ensures appropriate consideration," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Can the Albanese government turn 2024 into a happy new year despite multiple challenges, asks political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"The response of the ACT government to the allegations concerning a member of the Assembly, including strident demands he resign, lacked any semblance of a commitment to his right to the presumption of innocence," writes JON STANHOPE.
Albanese should come clean about what he did or didn’t say to Xi Jinping about sonar incident, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
As war rages in the Middle East, Australian parliamentarians try to promote understanding, writes politcal columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Some will argue that a candidate with just 3 per cent of the primary vote ought not be able to be elected," writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
A government in a big hurry gives opposition some wins on ex-detainees, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"Expenditure forecasts in the 2023-24 Budget are illusory and certain to be exceeded by hundreds of millions of dollars," say JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED. Treasurer Barr has few choices – cut spending, raise taxes or both. But will he?
"The Labor-Greens government had the opportunity to achieve so much, to build a Canberra that was a nation and world leader. They missed the opportunity,” writes MICHAEL MOORE.
Halfway through their term, the ‘teal’ MPs look here to stay – and may present a huge challenge in 2025, writes MARK KENNY.
Infrastructure is always a vexed issue. The program is full of pork barrelling, whoever is in power. Even when that’s not involved, what to build and when it should be built is often contested, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"The strident approach the Canberra Liberals have taken opposing drug decriminalisation legislation was simply falling into a trap set by Labor," says political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is pumping up his role in energy transition, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN. "This is probably a good thing for the government, because the transition to renewables isn’t going as well as it needs to."
"A criminal record for possession of small amounts of drugs can have an impact on employment prospects, on being able to obtain a visa and on the rest of an individual’s life. It is disproportionate," writes MICHAEL MOORE.
Whatever the government has done is, for the average household, only at the margin. The cost-of-living crisis is the dragon it can’t slay, says political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
"The support we Canberrans have shown for a national Voice suggests a collective concern about the egregious failure of the ACT government to any meaningful response to the needs of the local Aboriginal community," writes JON STANHOPE.
China-Australia relations are heading back to room temperature with Albanese’s November visit, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
Anthony Albanese had good motives but his referendum has done much harm, says political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
There is a way forward to tackle indigenous disadvantage after referendum defeat, writes political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN.
