Australian politics news covering the federal Parliament, party leadership, state premiers, elections, and major policy debates across Australia.
The commentary argues that Australia risks repeating past mistakes with resource extraction by allowing foreign-owned data centres to operate without ensuring fair returns for Australians. It contends that the government should impose stronger regulations and taxes to ensure the benefits of AI and data centre investment are shared with the public.
Three days of hearings scrutinize the NDIS bill, which proposes sweeping cuts including 50% reductions to social and community participation budgets. The bill grants the minister unprecedented powers to cap funding and set price controls, sparking backlash from the disability community. The changes are projected to save the government approximately $38 billion over four years.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce claimed people who 'look like they've recently arrived' are outbidding Australian buyers at house auctions. ATO data shows fewer than 1% of dwellings are bought by foreigners, with 0.5% in 2024-25. The race discrimination commissioner warned against demonising migrants.
Liberal shadow minister Andrew Hastie accused One Nation's Pauline Hanson of prioritizing US interests over Australia's, citing her support for Trump's Iran war. The attack comes as a Newspoll shows One Nation's primary vote surging to 31%, while Labor fell to 30% and the Coalition to 18%.
An audit revealed the former Queensland Labor government awarded a $15 million cybersecurity contract to Cryptoloc Holdings despite unverified financial records and adverse credit events linked to the founder. The contract, awarded on the eve of the 2024 state election, later collapsed, and the state is seeking to recover nearly $1.5 million in initial payments.
The 2026 King's Birthday Honours list recognizes 949 Australians, including mathematician Terence Tao, former senator Natasha Stott Despoja, and broadcaster Fran Kelly. Stott Despoja was made a Companion for gender equality work, while Tao was honored for mathematical sciences. The list shows a gender imbalance with 230 women and 471 men in the general division.
This analysis argues that the Australian government, facing rising support for One Nation, is playing a long game by implementing unpopular but necessary budget reforms now, hoping to regain voter trust later. It contends that populism offers quick fixes, while structural repair requires patience and a longer-term strategy.
WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said One Nation deserves respect and he is open to working with the party. He outlined six policy commitments including a new hospital at Yanchep and extended Sunday trading hours.
This commentary argues that regional hospitals in Victoria, Australia, are being overlooked for state government funding due to being located in politically "safe seats" where the government has little incentive to invest. It contends that an independent infrastructure authority should allocate funding based on need rather than political considerations.
This commentary argues that hardline political rhetoric on immigration in Australia is causing fear and harm within migrant communities, citing warnings from former Coalition immigration spokesperson Paul Scarr. It contends that such language undermines the contributions of immigrants and contrasts with Australia's history of refugee settlement, while also noting similar extreme rhetoric globally.